Board of Directors
He was ordained at his home parish, Immaculate Conception in Jefferson City by Bishop Michael McAuliffe. He began his priestly discernment at St. Thomas Aquinas Preparatory Seminary in Hannibal, Missouri, continued his studies at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio and conducted his graduate studies in theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. During his high school years, Father Schmitz worked three summers at St. Patrick’s in Laurie, Missouri at the invitation of the founder of our Shrine, Father Fred Barnett. Father Schmitz’s devotion to Mary grew as he witnessed Father Barnett’s love of Mary and his dream come true of the development of the Mother’s Shrine.
Father Schmitz began his service to God in Rolla, Missouri at St. Patrick Catholic Church as a transitional deacon and continued as either associate pastor or pastor at more than 13 parishes and schools in several cities throughout Missouri. Father Schmitz is pastor for St. Patrick Catholic Church in Laurie, Missouri and rector for The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of The Church. Father Schmitz is humbled and honored to continue the dream of Father Barnett and looks forward to the thousands of visitors each year that he assists by sharing the Shrine’s mission.

Mr. Vincent served on the board of directors of the National Pork Producers Council and the Iowa Soybean Association. He was a member of FarmHouse Fraternity and served its Iowa Chapter Association Board as president and building committee chair, overseeing a $3.2M expansion and renovation project. He was named the fraternity’s outstanding alumnus in 2017. Mr. Vincent spent numerous years as finance council chair at his parish in Iowa and was an active Kiwanian.
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent’s two children live in Boise, Idaho, where they have both completed their master’s degrees and have embarked on their careers.

Jerry and Maureen, married 33 years, live in Overland Park, Kansas where they have been parishioners at Church of the Ascension for 29 years. They have two children: Elizabeth and David, who both attended Ascension grade school. Elizabeth graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School and Creighton University. David graduated from Rockhurst High School and is currently a senior at Iowa State University. Mr. King grew up in Kansas City, graduating from St. Thomas Moore grade school and Rockhurst High School. Mr. King obtained undergraduate degrees from Rockhurst University and a juris doctor from the University of Missouri Kansas City. Mr. King was a litigation attorney at Armstrong Teasdale in Kansas City for 31 years. During his career, Mr. King was a certified fire and explosion investigator and was a member of the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Investigations Technical Committee. Mr. King was a partner at Armstrong Teasdale for 21 years before retiring in the fall of 2021. Mr. King volunteers for church and school activities, including Knights of Columbus, Columbian Squires, Christ Renews His Parish Mission Team, and Ascension Foster and Adopt Ministry.

Mr. McKinzie volunteers for philanthropic and business programs he and Mrs. McKinzie support. This includes church and school activities, programs focused on education, individuals who are re-entering society after incarceration. along with mentoring small businesses and startups.

Mr. Slater grew up in northeast Missouri and is a graduate of the University of Missouri. He was an active member of St. Joseph Parish in Des Moines, serving as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, men's choir, and numerous committees, including the St. Joseph's board of education for six years, and serving as president for two years. He then served on the Dowling Catholic High School board of education for nine years and was president for three years. He served on the Diocesan Education Committee to unify Curriculum and Practices throughout the Des Moines Diocese. Gary and his wife Mary have three adult children. Following their recent retirement, they returned to their roots in Missouri and are now residents of the Lake area and members of St. Patrick Parish.
Jim and Belva, married 47 years, reside in the Gravois Mills/Laurie area. Jim and Belva are parents of three children, Eric Gerke, Ben Gerke and Cara Allen and have 9 grandchildren. Mr. Gerke retired from Co-Mo Elective Cooperative after 37 years, where he moved from grounds-man to district manager and succeeded in winning the trophy for North American Lineman Rodeo in 1988 and 1989. He was involved with the Gravois Fire Department from 1980 to 1995; served as the captain of the Laurie Fire Station and was Firefighter of the Year in 1988. Mr. Gerke also served as an EMT.
Mr. Gerke was president of the Friends of Morgan County Library during the capital campaign to raise funds for a new library. He served on the board of trustees for the Village of Laurie from 1990 through 1996. Mr. Gerke was a member of the Laurie Rotary Club; was awarded the Paul Harris Award as a Rotarian in 2005 and served as treasurer of the Westlake Aquatic Board that was constructed by the Rotary Club. Mr. Gerke was named the recipient of the West Chamber of Commerce Eagle Award in 2004. He has served on the board of Morgan County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund since 2011. Mr. Gerke was instrumental in construction of the Laurie Park on RA Road and oversaw park activities including scheduling ball leagues and tournaments during the 1980s and 1990s.
Other organization memberships include the Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout; Elks Lodge 2705 and Mary Mother of the Church Knights of Columbus Council 10381 where he served as treasurer for 22 years and grand knight in 2016-2017.
Currently Mr. Gerke is serving as treasurer of the board of Cochurmin Homes, Inc., a low-income senior citizen housing endeavor. Mr. Gerke is a hands-on board member for the Shrine, chairing the Building and Grounds Committee.
Chris and his wife Vicki have been married for 36 years with two boys, Bradley (33) and Alex (30). Both boys following the Jesuit path of education at Rockhurst High School and Saint Louis University. Mr. Mueller converted to the Catholic faith in 1995 with the support of his wife and many other family members. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mueller were Confirmation group leaders and/or catechists for 27 continuous years while in Kansas City, supporting the development of the youth in the church. Mr. Mueller’s career encompasses 33 years of manufacturing, capital systems, construction, and project management for Procter & Gamble in the Kansas City area. He retired from P&G in 2023 and has since moved to St. Louis to be closer to family. They have owned a lake home within 10 minutes of the Shrine and attend Mass regularly while enjoying the Ozark views, boating, and fishing since 1985. The Lake is their heaven on earth location to rejoice in God’s creation and provides great spiritual reflection.

Mr. Reinert currently is a member of the board of regents for Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he serves on the Development Committee. He and his wife also support Children’s Mercy Hospital through the establishment of scholarships for the advancement of nursing education. Mr. Reinert is also involved with Missouri Western College in St. Joseph, in their Entrepreneurial Program.
Mr. Reinert is a Vietnam veteran who served 1968-1971 as a counterintelligence agent and is the recipient of the Bronze Star.

Robb and his wife of 42 years met as undergrads at Creighton University. They are long-time members of their parish in Omaha, Nebraska where he is a lector (38 years), Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion, and has served as a Bible Study Facilitator, facilitator of ALPHA, and Leader of Catholics Returning Home. He has provided consulting to the Archdiocese of Omaha, The Diocese of Hamilton (Bermuda), The St. Charles Lwanga School in Kibera, Kenya, Christian Brothers Schools of greater New Orleans, and his parish. He has been or is a member of Serra Club, Joslyn Art Museum Board, Boca Raton Museum of Art, The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation, Omaha Rodeo Board and co-host with his wife of Marian High School’s MarianFest (Omaha).
Originally from southeast Florida Robb developed commercial properties in a multi-generational business. He later joined Grubb & Ellis and Colliers. His experience encompasses preparing and implementing work out plans for commercial REO properties, development, asset management, and sales of investment grade commercial real estate in excess of 1M sq ft for insurance and pension fund portfolios.
The opportunity to lead the Cosgriff Company came unexpectedly and by surprise. It is one of the top 4 national campaign companies and is the only to focus entirely on Catholic projects across the U.S.
Robb and Jeanne have three girls and resides in Omaha, NE.
Directors Emeritus
- Father Fred Barnett, founder (deceased)
- Don D. Drake
Honorary Directors
- Archbishop James Keleher (deceased)
- Archbishop Shawn McKnight, S.Th.D.
- Harry Fabick (deceased)
- Earl Benner, Jr.


