Clergy and Staff

Parish Clergy and Staff

Father Christopher Seibt, Pastor
Hometown: North Side of Syracuse

Home parish: Saint Daniel, Lyncourt

Education: The Catholic University of America - Philosophy (Ph.B, 07’ / Ph.L, 08’), Theology (S.T.B., 12’ / S.T.L., 14’), and Canon law (J.C.L., 19’)

About me: I am a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse. I was ordained at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on 1 June 2013. I have served as the parochial vicar both at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in North Syracuse and at the Parish of Saints John and Andrew in Binghamton, and as the Director of the Office of Liturgy and O.C.I.A for the Diocese. In addition to being the pastor of the parishes of Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy, I am the Vice Chancellor of the Diocese, a judge in the Tribunal, and the Episcopal Master of Ceremonies. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano and organ, landscaping, cooking, running, hiking, and playing tennis.

Mission statement: In my role as pastor, I believe God is calling me to provide the direction needed for the staff, volunteers, and parishioners to engage in the mission of the Church by using my charism of knowledge and natural ability to organize and communicate.

Contact: cseibt@syrdio.org

Father James Buttner, Parochial Vicar
Hometown: Syracuse, NY

Home parish: Holy Family, Fairmount

Education: Colgate University - Physics (B.A. '15), The Catholic University of America - Theology (M.Div / S.T.B. '23)

About me: I was ordained by Bishop Douglas Lucia on June 3, 2023. I previously served as Parochial Vicar for 2 years at Spirit of Hope Parish in Canastota, Sylvan Beach, Oneida, Sherrill, and Vernon. I am also currently studying for my licentiate in Canon Law through St. Paul's University in Ottawa. In my free time I enjoy playing Ultimate Frisbee, practicing French Horn, bicycling/motorcycling, and reading.

Mission statement: In my role as a priest I believe God is calling me to encounter, evangelize, and reconcile all people to the love of Jesus Christ through His Church, and as parochial vicar to support and serve the mission of our parish with fidelity and joy.

Contact: jbuttner@syrdio.org

Reverend Monsignor Timothy Elmer, Senior Priest
Contact: telmer@syrdio.org

Deacon Mark Berube, Parish Deacon
Hometown: Van Buren, Maine

Home parish: St. Remi/St. Bruno Parish

Education: Master of Science in Organizational Management

About me: Born and raised on the Canadian border in Northern Maine. Upon graduation I entered military service attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4) with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command and retiring with 23 years of service. For the next 20 years I was a Special Agent in Charge (GS-13) with the Department of Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. Upon my retirement I was employed as the Parish Administrator at Divine Mercy Parish for two years before enjoying a full retirement. Before my ordination into the Diaconate in 2018, I was involved with the Parish as an EOM, Reader, Catechist and Vacation Bible School. I thoroughly enjoy my ministry at both parishes and enjoy meeting new people everyday. My hobbies are wood working and playing with new electronic gadgets.

Mission statement: In my ministry as a deacon, I believe God is calling me to evangelize by using my gifts of evangelism, witness, and teaching; especially to serve those returning to the Church or those seeking a home where they will feel welcomed and loved.

Contact: mberube@syrdio.org

Deacon Brian Lauri, Parish Deacon
Hometown: Oriskany, New York

Home parish: St. Stephen's, Oriskany (now closed)

Education: B.A. Political Science - Utica College of Syracuse University (1988)(summa cum laude)
Juris Doctor - State University of New York at Buffalo College of Law (1991)

About me: I am married to my wife Christine and have two great sons, Joshua and Zachary, and Zachary is married to our wonderful daughter-in-law Stella. I am also a permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Syracuse. I was ordained at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on May 19, 2018. I have served all of my diaconate at Sacred Heart in Cicero, and have also been assigned since 2023 to Divine Mercy in Central Square. As a lawyer, I worked for fifteen years as a prosecutor, sixteen years as a Town Judge for the Town of Clay, and currently own a local private practice office. I also served thirty years in the United States Air Force/New York Air National Guard as a Judge Advocate General, retiring in 2022 with the rank of Colonel. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and being out in the woods at our camp.

Mission statement: In my role as a Deacon, I assist the Pastor, Pastoral Assistant and staff to help everyone we encounter to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. While that is done in a variety of ways both inside and outside the church, the goal is the same - to help everyone that I encounter to get to heaven, using the talents that God has given me as best as I can.

Contact: blauri@syrdio.org

Deacon Dan Reynolds, Parish Deacon and Director of Family Faith Formation
Hometown: Oswego, NY

Home parish: St. John the Evangelist

Education: BA in Psychology, Navy Veteran

About me: I am a deacon in the Syracuse Diocese. I was ordained at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse, NY on July 22, 2020. I served 4 years as a Pastor's Associate at St. Margaret Parish in Homer, NY. I am presently assigned to both Divine Mercy and Sacred Heart parishes in Central Square and Cicero, respectively, and as the Director of Family Faith Formation. I am a professional humor greeting card cartoonist with American Greetings and other companies. I have an apostolate called Divine Comedy presentation in which I use my faith-related cartoons, humor, and live art demonstration to bring awareness of the importance of joy and faith. I'm married and have 4 boys and soon to be 7 grandchildren.

Mission statement: My mission is to help families grow in faith while keeping a smile on their faces. Whether through teaching, preaching, or drawing, I seek to reveal that holiness and humor go hand in hand — because the Good News should sound like good news! With heart, faith, and a few well-placed punchlines, I strive to help others see that joy is not just optional — it’s a sign of grace at work.

Contact: dreynolds@syrdio.org