Blessing of the St. Paul’s Vestry, the Sunday after the Annual Meeting 2024
Clergy
The Rev. James E. Reiss
Rector-Elect (rector@stpaulspatchogue.org)
Father James Reiss is a Long Island native; growing up in East Northport, he heard the call to Ordained Ministry and was sponsored for Holy Orders by Trinity Episcopal Church in Northport. After graduating from SUNY Old Westbury with a degree in Religious Studies and Psychology, he went to Austin, Texas for his Master in Divinity degree from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. There, he focused his studies on Latinx Ministry and received a concentration in Military Chaplaincy.
Following seminary, Fr. James served as the Curate at Centro Franciscano, a Spanish-speaking Missional Congregation for the Bishop in Riverhead. After a year, he was invited to join St. John’s Episcopal Church in Huntington as Curate for another year as he cultivated his administrative, leadership, and pastoral skills. He began his ministry as Priest in Charge of St. Paul’s on Palm Sunday 2023, and was elected by the vestry as Rector in December 2024. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Patchogue-Medford Youth & Community Services, Chaplain of the Rotary Club of Patchogue, and as an ecumenical partner in the Episcopal/Presbyterian dialogue regarding full communion.
Fr. James is also an officer in the United States Navy. Since seminary, he has been actively pursuing Chaplaincy for the Armed Forces, as a chaplain for the Episcopal Armed Forces and Federal Ministries office. He has felt a strong call to remind all serving this country of God’s unconditional love. He was Navy Chaplain Candidate for six years, who completed Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island in August of 2020. Fr. James completed two OJTs (On-the-job Trainings) in San Diego, California (2022) and Norfolk, Virginia (2023). He was commissioned a Navy Chaplain at St. Paul’s on June 1, 2024. Once finished with Chaplaincy School in Newport, he will serve with the Marine Corps as a reservist Chaplain for Training and Education Command (MCCRD TECOM).
He was married to Kailee Sievers by Bishop Provenzano at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City in September of 2023. They have three little dogs: Coco, Oreo, and Mocha.
The Rev. Claire D. Mis
Deacon (deacon@stpaulspatchogue.org)
Deacon Claire grew up in Rochester, New York. Her family faith tradition at birth was American Baptist and she follows a long line of ordained clergy both within that tradition as well as Christian traditions. She graduated from the College of Wooster with an BA in French, received a master’s degree in School Counseling from Syracuse University and worked for over 30 years as a counselor from Elementary through College levels. Deacon Claire received her administrative degree in 2005 from Stony Brook University and served as the Department Chair for School Counseling at Longwood Junior High School. She retired in 2012.
During retirement, Deacon Claire has been active in the Episcopal Church on Long Island. Her initial church home was Caroline Church in Setauket where, for over 35 years she and her husband, Gary, raised their two sons, Jeremy, and Eric and were active in many ministries. In addition to involvement at her church, she participated heartily in the Long Island Episcopal Cursillo where she served on many teams, as well as the Lay Director for Secretariat – the governing body.
In 2018, she discerned, with the help of her Spiritual Director, a call to the diaconate. After serving two years of postulancy at St. John’s in Huntington, Claire was ordained Vocational Deacon in the Diocese of Long Island on January 30, 2022, by Bishop Geralyn Wolf. She continued to serve at St. John’s until January 2025.
She looks forward to many new opportunities to grow and serve God’s people in her current assignment at St. Paul’s.
An email to both Father Reiss and Deacon Claire can be addressed to clergy@stpaulspatchogue.org.
Parish Staff
Mrs. Jo-Mary Daumont
Parish Administrator (admin@stpaulspatchogue.org)
Originally from Puerto Rico, Mrs. Jo-Mary Daumont joined Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church as Parish Administrator in 2024. Before moving into church administration, she practiced law in Puerto Rico. Jo-Mary brings a strong commitment to community service and finds joy in working within an inclusive and welcoming environment. Her dedication and warmth enrich the life of the parish every day.
Mr. Andrew Scheiner
Director of Music (music@stpaulspatchogue.org)
Mr. Andrew Scheiner attended The Crane School of Music and graduated with a degree in Music Education and Euphonium Performance. Currently, Andrew is a teacher for the Commack School district where he teaches kindergarten 1st, and 2nd grade classroom music at Indian Hollow and Rolling Hills Primary Schools. Andrew has been serving as our parish organist, pianist and musical director since 2022.
Vestry (The Lay Leadership)
Mrs. Cathie Pliszak
Warden (until 2024)
Cathie Pliszak is a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Patchogue. She is currently serving as a warden on the vestry; also having previously served as a vestry person,a
warden, and Sunday School teacher. Cathie is married, a retired Special Education teacher, a mother of two adult children, and a grandmother of three who also attend St. Paul’s.
Mr. Dave MacDonald
Warden (until 2025)
Stay tuned for an upcoming biography.
Mr. Scott Harris
Vestry, Class of 2025
Stay tuned for an upcoming biography.
Ms. Robin Krushinski
Vestry, Class of 2025
Stay tuned for an upcoming biography.
Ms. Sharon Minogue
Vestry, Class of 2026
Stay tuned for an upcoming biography.
Ms. Conni Still
Vestry, Class of 2026
Conni has been a member of St. Paul’s since when she was received in 1963. She is one of the Directors of the Thrift Shop, the editor of the Parish Newsletter, serving another turn on the vestry and has served as warden. She belongs to several committees and sang in our former choir. She is a a retired registered pharmacist and worked in our community.
Dr. Dee Laffin
Vestry, Class of 2027
Dorothy “Dee” Laffin has been a member of St. Paul’s Patchogue since 1988. She currently serves on the Diocesan Council, has been a long-time Building and Grounds Committee member and has previously served on the Vestry. Dee is retired after almost 40 years at Suffolk County Community College where she served as Professor of Business Administration and in a variety of campus and college-wide administrative positions.
Ms. Tracy Classon
Vestry, Class of 2027
Stay tuned for an upcoming biography.
Ms. Barbara Lapinski
Treasurer
Stay tuned for an upcoming biography.