Parish Staff

Glen Vassou

Parish Administrator

e. Email Glen
p. 352-448-4555

Glen's Bio

I was born and raised in Madras, India. I came to the U.S in 1994 to work for Carnival Cruise Lines. Since then my career path has taken me in different directions in the hospitality industry and finally in June 2004 God placed me where I belong “Here at Queen of Peace”. For 7 years I coordinated all liturgical events as the Pastoral Associate of Liturgy. Since April 2011, God and Our Queen of Peace Community blessed me with the responsibilities as the Parish Administrator. My beloved is Tammie, the amazing principal here at Queen of Peace Academy. Our two daughters Nadia and Anjali graduated from the Academy. My family and I are blessed to be part of this amazing community. God Bless you and see you at church.
God Is Good! All The Time!

Mari Hamilton

Fiscal Administrator

e. Email Mari
p. 352-448-4549

Mari's Bio

Mari joined the QOP staff as our Fiscal Administrator in March of 2008. She grew up in Gainesville, graduated from Buchholz High School and received her BSBA from the University of Florida in 1985. Mari worked in the insurance/financial industry in Gainesville for over 15 years before coming to QOP. She and her husband, Fred, enjoy going to Disney, hiking in Colorado and cheering for the Gators.

Angie Bernard

Office Manager

e. Email Angie
p. 352-448-4547

Angie's Bio

I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 2006, I moved to Gainesville with my family. My son Ian-Carlo immediately fell in love with the Academy and this town. That is when we definitely decided to stay here. In 2007, I applied for the position of Teacher Assistant at QPA. After four wonderful years at the school, I knew it was time for me to make a change on my life, a position opened at the Church Office. It was fate! What a blessing is to be able to work at a place you love and have people that care about you, especially in your time of need! I am grateful for that and I thank God every day!

Betsy Guin

Receptionist

e. Email Betsy
p. 352-332-6279

Betsy's Bio

Hello! I am Betsy Guin, and I am the face you see and the voice you hear when you contact the Queen of Peace church office. I am originally from Champaign, IL, but my family and I moved to Gainesville in August 2017. We feel so blessed to be a part of the Queen of Peace community. My husband, Jeff, and our three children (Ellee, Troy & Luke) REALLY enjoy Florida winters and are happy to call Gainesville home.

Edna Boyette

Director of Liturgy

e. Email Edna
p. 352-448-4543

Edna's Bio

Edna was born and grew up in the Philippines and migrated to the United States in 1996. She and her family moved to Florida in June 1999 and became active parishioners of Queen of Peace. Prior to becoming the Pastoral Associate of Liturgy at Queen of Peace, she served as the Lector Coordinator from 2000 to 2012. She held several positions in the Philippines in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. With different academic requirements in California, she was told that in order for her to practice her profession, she would need two more years of higher education. At that time, all she wanted was to work, thus having several administrative positions, including the 12 years she worked for the State of Florida. This experience has prepared her for her current position with Queen of Peace. If you want to help in any way that concerns Liturgy, Edna would like to hear from you.

Gary Kneal

Director of Music

e. Email Gary
p. 352-448-4544

Gary's Bio

Gary is a native of Pennsylvania and arrived in Gainesville in 2003. Gary is thrilled with the chance to share his God given gifts with this Parish Community. Following graduate school, Gary toured with the international group “Up With People” as the keyboardist for the Western Europe Cast. After a brief stint teaching music in elementary, middle and high school, he found his passion for God and His music. He has been a full time Director of Music Making since 1991 serving 4 different parishes. Happily married and the father of 2, Gary is thankful for the opportunity to pray and praise with all the awesome music makers at Queen of Peace.

Erica Hartge

Director of Stewardship

e. Email Erica
p. 352-448-4546

Erica's Bio

Erica was born in Massachusetts and moved to the Chicago area as a teen. In 1993 she moved to Gainesville and enjoyed a long career as a Commercial Loan Officer with a community bank. Although very detailed and analytical, her passion has always been to meet, engage and care for people. Her career required learning of someone’s needs and desires and finding the right fit to help them make progress toward their goals. Now she is blessed to use those skills to invite others to a more intimate life with Christ through participation in ministry.

Since joining the Queen of Peace team in 2008 she has also worked on improving her Spanish. She is married to Gary and they have three children, Rachel, Adam and Matthew. Erica is delighted to speak with anyone who may have questions about becoming involved in our dynamic parish.

Lisa McQuagge

Director of Religious Education (PK-5)

e. Email Lisa
p. 352-448-4548

Lisa's Bio

Lisa was born and raised in Rome, Georgia and moved to Gainesville with her husband Joel in 1987. They soon discovered Queen of Peace and raised their two sons and daughter in our parish community. Lisa has been a part of the Faith Formation Ministry since 2000. She enjoys spending her free time taking care of their many animals, horseback riding, and hiking.

Andrew Tierney

Director of Youth Ministry

e. Email Andrew
p. 352-448-4545

Andrew's Bio

Andrew grew up in Panama City, FL where he was first introduced to youth ministry and LIFETEEN during his senior year of high school. As a result of being called to serve as temporary youth minister at his home parish in the summer of 2006, he has had a passion for leading teenagers closer to Christ. Andrew has led various youth ministries throughout the state of Florida in both staff and volunteer positions during that time. He was the Director of Religious Education for 3 years at the Cathedral Parish in St Augustine, FL where his greatest goal was to bring families together in worship and understanding of their Catholic faith.

Andrew, his wife Sara and their four young children (Jack 8, Max 6, Ben 4 and Grace 1.5 years) moved to Gainesville in July of 2020 and quickly fell in love with Queen of Peace parish. The dynamic environment was evident to them immediately, perceiving this community to be authentic, generous, and intentional in the ways they follow Jesus.

Tomas Silva

Grounds Maintenance

Rob Olson

Grounds Maintenance

Mulugeta Tufer

Grounds Maintenance

Chris Santamarina

Grounds Maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the church offices located?webteam@qopparish.org2021-03-17T14:32:48-04:00

Where are the church offices located?

The church offices are located in the Fr. Jeffrey McGowan Center for Evangelization and Stewardship between the Parish Hall and the church.

Where are the church restrooms located?webteam@qopparish.org2020-02-18T03:37:29-05:00

Where are the church restrooms located?

Restrooms are located in the main lobby of the church. The women’s room is to the left and the men’s room is to the right as you enter the main front doors to the church. There are also small unisex restrooms located in the family areas next to the nursery and near the gift shop.

Is there available seating for families with small children?webteam@qopparish.org2020-02-18T03:37:53-05:00

Is there available seating for families with small children?

Two areas behind the glass at the back wall of the church are available to families with children who need a little extra attention during Mass.

Is a nursery available for my children?webteam@qopparish.org2020-02-18T03:38:49-05:00

Is a nursery available for my children?

Our co-operative nursery is available at the 10:00 Mass for walking toddlers through age 3. Due to diocesan requirements, space is limited and the nursery is not available for drop-in’s. Contact the nursery ministry leaders for more information.

Staff

Parish Staff

Glen Vassou

Mari Hamilton

Angie Bernard

Betsy Guin

Edna Boyette

Gary Kneal

Erica Hartge

Lisa McQuagge

Andrew Tierney

Tomas Silva

Rob Olson

Mulugeta Tufer

Chris Santamarina

Frequently Asked Questions

2020 Parish Update