Clergy
Fr. Hugh J. McGuigan, OSFS
Pastor
Fr. Hugh first came to Our Lady of Light in 2004 as Parochial Vicar under Fr. Angelo Meraldo, OSFS and has been pastor since 2005. Prior to being Ordained a Priest on May 31, 1997, he served as a Brother. of St. Francis de Sales.
Ministries:
Assistant Athletic Director, Father Judge High School; Dean of Students, Archbishop Wood High School, Bishop Verot High School; Principal, Bishop Verot High School; Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Light; Pastor, Our Lady of Light.
Fr. Anthony Gilborges, OSFS
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Tony was ordained a priest on June 10, 1989, served on the Faculty at Salesianum School and as Parochial Vicar at St. Paul the Apostle, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Our Lady of Light. He joined our parish as Parochial Vicar on XXXXX.
Fr. Tony facilitates the Order of Christian Rite (OCIA) and enjoys working with the Environmental Ministry volunteers which transforms worship space for each liturgical season.
Deacons
Deacon Rip Riordan
Deacon Rip received his Sacrament of Holy Orders and was Ordained September 1998. Bishop Dewane assigned him to Our Lady of Light in September 2021. He married his wife, Lillian Riordan on April 1980 and they have two Adult children and five grandchildren.
He has worked in full-time ministry since 2000 with three different assignments at the same time. Chancery/Parish/Police Department. He also has served as an interim parish life administrator while the parish did not have a pastor.
His motto for ministry comes from Sacred Scripture:
“The one who peaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves let it be with the strength God supplies, so that in all things, God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter4:11
If you ever have any questions regarding Faith, Prayer or need a listening ear, feel free to contact him by email at ripperton@ourladyoflight.com
Deacon Dale Bacik
Deacon assigned to Our Lady of Light Catholic Community in 2022.
Deacon Dale grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, married his best friend Jen in 1969, and was ordained a Deacon in the Cleveland Diocese in 1985. Deacon Dale and Jen are full time Florida residents. Their hobbies include traveling, boating, fishing, snow skiing and hiking the Colorado peaks. Most of all they enjoy spending time with their 5 children and 12 grandchildren.
Deacon Dale believes his role as a Deacon is to support and inspire those who are seeking to find God in the everyday events and situations of their personal lives.
When asked about his goals for the parish, Deacon Dale said, “It’s an awesome privilege to journey with others in faith as we all strive to live the Gospel message. Being joined together in community is where our faith life is nurtured. I’m encouraged to see this happening at our parish. And I enjoy the opportunity to participate in this process of helping to continue our faith life to grow.”
Administration
Josh Rodriguez
Business Administrator
Josh
Suzi Wiedinger
Administrative Assistant
Suzi has been working at Our Lady of Light since July 2018 and with the Diocese of Venice since July 2012. Her job entails preparing the weekly bulletin, keeping track of the facility calendar, weddings, bookkeeping and various needs.
She volunteers with Our Lady’s Rosary Making Group and enjoys doing DIY Projects, crafting, baking, reading, and traveling.
Luann Conley Coordinator of IT
Luann first volunteered at Our Lady of Light for St. Vincent de Paul and in the church office and has been employed by Our Lady of Light since February 1999. Her first position was working on a campaign called Our Light for Tomorrow to pay off the original building debt and has grown in her job since then. Her goals are to keep the campus network up and running for staff and to support them in many areas. She strives to assist staff and parishioners in a positive and upbeat manner.
On her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her granddaughters, walking, dancing, playing pickleball and staying active. Loves to cook and share a meal with family & friends.
Nely Juarez
Receptionist
Nely has been the receptionist at Our Lady of Light since September 2021. Her goal is to greet and welcome visitors and parishioners who need assistance and make them feel welcome in the environment. Her day is filled with answering phone calls, emails, and supporting everyone that she can help, and to be friendly to all.
On her free time she enjoys cooking, baking, and trying out new recipes, and traveling with her family and exploring new places.
Ron Dam
Facility Manager
2022
To upgrade and maintain facility infrastructure.
Reading/Fishing
Marco Salomon
Facility Assistant
Marco
Pastoral Ministries
Peg Carroll
Coordinator of Pastoral Ministries
Peg has been involved in various ministries of the Catholic Church since the age of 13 and has worked for a Catholic Church since 1985, first in Savannah, Ga. and here at OLOL in Ft. Myers since 2001. It is her prayer that she brings the “Light of Christ” to all those she encounters in her ministry.
Diane Lehman
Music Director
Diane has been our music director since 2021. Her goal to grow the music ministry to include everyone who loves to sing (or play) praise to God. She welcomes all vocalists, instrumentalists and musicians to join an ensemble.
Outside of work she enjoys – Drawing, Scrabble! Cryptograms, learning Spanish, hiking, and Listening to her husband sing while she plays the piano!
Religious Education
Lori Crawford
Director of Faith Formation
Lori is our parish Director of Faith Formation. Shortly after earning a Masters in Religious Education from Loyola New Orleans in 2007, Lori began working for Our Lady of Light in Children’s Ministry. She now serves mostly Adults through Sacramental Preparation for Baptisms and Marriages, coordinating adult formation programs, and liaising with our Hispanic community.
Lori and her husband Dave Crawford have been married 18 years and have six children.
Debbie Vath
Coordinator of Faith Formation
Debbie has been Coordinator of Faith Formation since 2022. Her ongoing goal is to create an environment of hospitality where families feel welcomed and to receive peace and joy from being a part of our faith community. Additionally, I pray I can aid families to grow more deeply in love with Jesus and learn to journey through life with Him as their center of everything.
Outside of my love for anything CHURCH I also enjoy playing the piano, spending time with my family and travel.
Chris Gordan
Youth Ministry
Chris has been our parish Youth Minister since December or 2022. He has lived in Florida for many years, both on the east and west coasts. Chris has over 25 years of service in providing comprehensive Youth Ministry and has extensive experience in the Life Teen program which include retreats, formation, and liturgy. His primary goal is to create a Catholic program, open to all teens of all faiths, where community youth feel loved and accepted. Chris and his wife Shawn Gordon have four sons, one adult and three in their teens. Chris and Shawn love sharing their Catholic faith and heritage with youth. In his spare time, Chris serves the community as a licensed home inspector. Chris also loves spending time outdoors playing sports, fishing, and hiking.