Leadership
From Left to Right
Top: Carolyn Millard (Prayer Ministry Assistant Leader), Doug Helderop (Music & Tech Director), Bill Millard (Head Usher), Del Paquin (Hospitality Team Co-Leader), Bill Kangas (Praise & Worship Leader)
Middle: Tirienne Leonard (Former Young Adult Outreach Director), Deacon Lou Russello (Prayer Ministry Team Leader), Mary Jo Paquin (Hospitality Team Co-Leader), Bryan Alfonso (Praise & Worship Leader)
Bottom: Gerry Hofer (Former Welcome Team Leader), Christy Whiting (Former Upper Room Director), Dr. Mary Healy (Spiritual Life Commission and Praise & Worship Leader). Not shown: José Mattei and Nanette O’Brien.
Doug Helderop – Music & Tech Director
Doug leads the music teams and oversees the technical aspects of Upper Room. His greatest desire is to lead others into the holy presence of the one, true God. There we are overwhelmed by His love and cannot help but be transformed and renewed from the inside out to live a life devoted to Christ Our King. As the son of a Baptist minister and musical mother, Doug began singing and playing piano before he was old enough to read. He has always been attracted to things with knobs, faders and lights which probably explains his fascination with audio, video and lighting. Doug has spent a majority of his career as a television producer and director. When he is not working or ministering, he enjoys spending time with friends and family and working out. He also likes mountain biking and scuba diving. He loves meeting new people so feel free to stop by and say hi after Praise and Worship.
Praise & Worship Hosts:
Dr. Mary HealyDr. Mary Healy is an advisor for Upper Room and a leader of Friday night Praise & Worship. She is passionate about helping Catholics discover the power of the Holy Spirit for healing, evangelization, and living a transformed life. She teaches Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and serves as chair of the Doctrinal Commission of International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services. She is co-editor of the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture and author of several books including Healing: Bringing the Gift of God’s Mercy to the World, The Gospel of Mark and Men and Women Are from Eden. She is a member of the Pentecostal-Catholic International Dialogue, and in 2014 Pope Francis appointed her to the Pontifical Biblical Commission. When not at Upper Room, she can be found cross-country skiing, biking or kayaking.
Bryan Alfonso
Bryan became one of Upper Room’s Praise & Worship leaders after serving as a regular member of the music team for a year; in fact, most of his previous service for the church involved music. So when Dr. Mary Healy asked Bryan to “lead” for the first time, he thought she meant lead the music. He replied, “Yeah, sure, no problem.” It wasn’t until after Mary reacted with wide-eyed surprise to his super-confident reply that he realized what she was really asking! Now, after a few years of leading, Bryan notes, “While I still get excited every time it’s my turn to lead, I am very relaxed doing it since I have gained some experience and know I can count on the Holy Spirit to be present. It’s an adventure each Friday night to find out how the Spirit is going to lead.” Bryan has been married to Kathleen for 28 years and they have two great kids, Al (26) and Maria (21). He is a Senior Product Engineer and is also a Project Management Professional (PMP). Besides spreading God’s love, Bryan is passionate about jazz music and running with his training partner, Theo, his beloved Australian Shepherd.
Bill Kangas
Bill has been involved in various capacities at Upper Room – helping with Life in the Spirit Seminars, playing in the band, and leading Praise & Worship. He loves to worship and loves for God to work! In the past he’s been a small group leader, Bible study leader and worship leader. He’s married with 4 adult children and a growing number of grandchildren. A former Lutheran, he became a Catholic in 2013. He loves to talk about Jesus and Catholicism and will tackle any question you have. He also enjoys music and playing a myriad of different instruments.
José Mattei
José is currently a student at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, where he is working towards a graduate degree in Theology. On March 3, 2013, he had a powerful encounter with Jesus, becoming baptized in the Holy Spirit. It changed his life forever. Since then, José has been seeking the Lord daily through prayer, the Sacraments, and through books on Christian life and spirituality. Among other hobbies, José loves rock climbing and working out. Most of all, José loves seeking the Lord’s will and bringing people, wherever he encounters them, to a personal encounter with Jesus.
