by Fr. Jason Sharbaugh | Mar 7, 2022 | Uncategorized
Sixty-two years ago, excitement rattled throughout the Catholic students on campus at University of Arkansas. New hope and energy galvanized the faithful to construct St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish as a place to gather as a Catholic campus community. Built on...Father Jason Sharbaugh
Pastor
Father Jason Sharbaugh is a native of Morrilton, Arkansas, and Sacred Heart Parish. He attended Subiaco Academy in high school and is an alumnus of the University of Arkansas. Father Jason was ordained to the priesthood in 2010 and is in his sixth year serving St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish and Catholic Campus Ministry at his alma mater.
Father Jason enjoys the teaching of St. John Paul II (1920-2005), the Social Justice Doctrine of the Church, and – of course – the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Norm DeBriyn
Deacon
A Wisconsin native, Deacon Norm came to Arkansas in the fall of 1969 and has been in Fayetteville ever since. He spent thirty-three years as the Head Baseball Coach at the University of Arkansas, and his coaching career included four NCAA College World Series appearances, 15 NCAA tournament berths, seven conference coach of the year awards, and more than 1,150 career wins at one school, and numerous awards and honors. Since his retirement from coaching in 2002, Deacon Norm has served as a part-time scout for the Colorado Rockies and Associate Director of the Razorback Foundation.
Deacon Norm was ordained a deacon in November of 2012 and is assigned at St. Thomas Aquinas. He has devoted himself to making St. Thomas’s capital campaign and building project a success. When asked to describe his commitment to St. Thomas, Norm said, “We love St. Thomas because St. Thomas is like family to us. Our children were baptized at St. Thomas, so we have a long relationship with this church. We strive to aid St. Thomas’s student ministry because of the impact it has on so many people and the far-reaching effect it has on so many lives.”
Deacon Norm and his wife Caroline live in Fayetteville and are the parents to one daughter, Carrie Jo, two sons Marty and the late Todd DeBriyn, and grandparents to one granddaughter, Carly.
Paul Cronan
Faculty Advisor and Deacon
Deacon Paul has been with St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish working with campus ministry since 1979. He was ordained in 1993 and served in various ministries including Faculty Advisor for Catholic Campus Ministry at St. Thomas since that time. Deacon Paul Cronan and Dr. Theresa Cronan have continued their passion for campus ministry since meeting as undergrads at a retreat for Catholic college students (through Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel, University of Louisiana at Lafayette–formerly USL). As faculty advisors for Catholic Campus Ministry and long-term volunteers at St. Thomas, the Cronans serve to support our students, faculty, and staff.
Deacon Paul is Professor of Information Systems and holds the M. D. Matthews Chair in Information Systems, at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. He received the doctorate degree from Louisiana Tech University and is currently Director of the Graduate Programs in the Information Systems Department. Theresa is Instructor Emeritus in Curriculum & Instruction in the College of Education & Health Professions.
Deacon Paul and Theresa were the first in Arkansas to become Certified Campus Ministers through the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA) national certification process. The Cronans are grateful to be able to witness and support the growth, development, and leadership of Catholic college students today.
Sarah Brady Du Preez
Director of Stewardship and Development
[email protected], 479-200-5499
Sarah is a Fayetteville native and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2013 with a bachelor of arts in Psychology and minor in Religious Studies. During her time at the U of A, Sarah was actively involved in St. Thomas Aquinas’s ministry. She credits St. Thomas for her desire as a college student to continue to grow in her faith and now work for the betterment of the Church. Prior to joining St. Thomas’s staff, Sarah worked in development at both the Walton Arts Center and the Fayetteville Public Library. Sarah lives in Fayetteville with her husband Lloyd and son Brady.
Sarah manages all campaign and building project efforts for St. Thomas. Contact Sarah with any questions, comments, or for ways to get involved.