Generations Growing in Faith

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Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and have your rise from them, O my people!

- Ezekiel 37:13


 

Karen Brandstetter (Cusick)
 
I have lived in Cincinnati my entire life, and worked for the Church my entire career.  I graduated from Xavier Universitywith a B.A. in Theology, and worked at Sacred Heart parish in Fairfield as Director of Religious Education.  After my marriage to Gary Brandstetter, in 1982, I worked at the then St. Francis-St. George Hospital as the Director of Mission and Catholic Identity.  In 1988, I took time off to raise my children, Marisa and Will, now 35 and 32 respectively. I once again attended Xavier in the new Master’s program in Theology.  I worked at Good Shepherd Parish from 1988 until 2003 when I started at Bellarmine Chapel as the Pastoral Associate. During my tenure at Bellarmine, I assisted in the transition of new pastors three times.
 
Also in 2003, Charles Hunter, 13 years old with severe special needs, became part of the Brandstetter family. In 2010, Gary passed away after a 12 year struggle with brain cancer.  In 2016, I met St. Dominic parishioner, Patrick Cusick, who was also a widower, and we were married in 2017.  We regularly attend the 4:30 p.m. mass on Saturday.
 
Leaving Bellarmine after 16 years, I have now started at St. Dominic as Pastoral Associate and I am looking forward to meeting the parishioners and sharing in God’s work here at St. Dominic!