Contact
Middle School Program
EDGE is coordinated by Zeke.
Zeke organizes Middle School Youth Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Cecilia’s. He is entering his 4th year of ministry in Ames and his 10th year working in youth development. Zeke grew up in a Navy family moving from Virginia to California before eventually settling near Buffalo, NY. He attended Houghton College and majored in Humanities and Writing. After College, Zeke worked for several Catholic schools and camps before becoming a Youth Ministry Coordinator. He and his wife Kristin have a one-year old named Grant who they enjoy playing and exploring with. When Grant is napping, Zeke runs, plays tabletop games, and practices optimism by rooting for the Buffalo Bills.
Zeke organizes Middle School Youth Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Cecilia’s. He is entering his 4th year of ministry in Ames and his 10th year working in youth development. Zeke grew up in a Navy family moving from Virginia to California before eventually settling near Buffalo, NY. He attended Houghton College and majored in Humanities and Writing. After College, Zeke worked for several Catholic schools and camps before becoming a Youth Ministry Coordinator. He and his wife Kristin have a one-year old named Grant who they enjoy playing and exploring with. When Grant is napping, Zeke runs, plays tabletop games, and practices optimism by rooting for the Buffalo Bills.
High School Program
Life Teen, Small Group, Confirmation at both parishes is coordinated by Kayla Stinga.
Kayla Stinga serves as the Director of Youth Ministry. I grew up on a small farm in southwest Iowa. I attended Iowa State University where I was active in campus ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas. I graduated from Iowa State University in May 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in Communications. I graduated with a Master’s degree in Ministry from the School of Theology at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN in December 2020.
After graduation from ISU, I worked in Ames for a few years and served as a catechist in St. Cecilia's Elementary Faith Formation program. In 2016, I took a position as Coordinator of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca, MN for 5th through 12th grade formation.
She was united in marriage to Dr. Pablo Raúl Stinga, a professor of Mathematics at Iowa State University on May 12, 2023. She & her husband, Pablo, welcomed their first child, a boy, Philip Francis in February 2024.
In my free time, I like to hang out with my family (Pablo & Philip), go shopping, and go on walks with my family.
In my role at St. Cecilia & St. Thomas Aquinas, I oversee 9th through 12th grade Youth Ministry programs including Life Teen, High School Small Group Ministry, and Confirmation preparation. I serve to help your son/daughter have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, become a disciple of Christ, and own their faith.
Kayla Stinga serves as the Director of Youth Ministry. I grew up on a small farm in southwest Iowa. I attended Iowa State University where I was active in campus ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas. I graduated from Iowa State University in May 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in Communications. I graduated with a Master’s degree in Ministry from the School of Theology at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN in December 2020.
After graduation from ISU, I worked in Ames for a few years and served as a catechist in St. Cecilia's Elementary Faith Formation program. In 2016, I took a position as Coordinator of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca, MN for 5th through 12th grade formation.
She was united in marriage to Dr. Pablo Raúl Stinga, a professor of Mathematics at Iowa State University on May 12, 2023. She & her husband, Pablo, welcomed their first child, a boy, Philip Francis in February 2024.
In my free time, I like to hang out with my family (Pablo & Philip), go shopping, and go on walks with my family.
In my role at St. Cecilia & St. Thomas Aquinas, I oversee 9th through 12th grade Youth Ministry programs including Life Teen, High School Small Group Ministry, and Confirmation preparation. I serve to help your son/daughter have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, become a disciple of Christ, and own their faith.