Midtown Catholic Clergy
Parish Council
Joe Willie Benes – President
Joe is a third-generation member of St. Thomas More Parish and a graduate of STM School. He and his wife, Amsley, were married at STM, and their son was baptized there as a fourth-generation parishioner. Joe is honored to serve on Parish Council, striving to lead with compassion and dedication to strengthening the parish community.
Eric Whitesides – Vice President
Eric, his wife Mary Ann, and their daughter Athena have been part of Midtown Catholic since October 2021 and regularly attend the 4:30 PM Mass at St. Thomas More. Eric serves the parish as a greeter, usher, lector, and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion—though greeting parishioners remains his favorite ministry.
Debbie Wojcinski – Secretary
Originally from the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, Debbie has been a parishioner at STM for 27 years. She holds a degree in Business Administration and has a professional background in journalism, insurance, and commercial property management. Debbie and her husband, Ralph, have three adult daughters.
Ruth Leininger
Ruth has been married to Deacon Tim Leininger for 36 years. She joined St. Joan of Arc in July 2015 when her husband was transferred from Holy Ghost Parish. Ruth has served in many roles over the years, including Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, lector, greeter, sacristan, adorer, and Parish Council.
Anthony Manno
Anthony grew up in Philadelphia and attended college in Steubenville, Ohio, where he met his wife. After working for a parish near Dayton for five years, his family moved to Nebraska in 2003. Anthony works for the Nebraska Air National Guard, and his family has been part of St. Joan of Arc Parish since 2012.
Rebecca Manno
Rebecca grew up in a military family and lived in several places before settling in the Omaha area. She and her husband, along with their four children, have been members of St. Joan of Arc Parish since 2012. Rebecca assists with Perpetual Adoration and the parish music ministry.
Adam Lee
Adam grew up in South Omaha and attended Holy Cross Parish. For the past eleven years, he and his wife, along with their six children, have been members of St. Thomas More. Adam works as a Control Panel Electrician, volunteers with Scouting America, serves as a lector, and enjoys family time, board games, and camping.
Tommy Owens
Tommy Owens grew up in Omaha and works for the City of Omaha Parks and Recreation Department.
A member of St. Joan of Arc Parish, he participates in Perpetual Adoration and was recently married to his wife Katie at St. Joan of Arc in December 2025.