Announcing Our New Ministry Co-Coordinator Elisa Lobacz

My name is Elisa Lobacz and I can’t wait to meet you! My greatest joy is connecting with both kids and adults who have special needs. In everyone I’ve ever met with a disability, I’ve found one constant to be true— their hearts are the purest. If you know of someone with special needs, you automatically know what I mean, and you probably feel so blessed that person is in your life.

I am lucky enough to have married my high school sweetheart, Matt. We have 3 beautiful daughters after 9 years of marriage. I am a GCSU alumni where I received my undergraduate degree in psychology and master’s in teaching special education for grades k-12. I taught in the public school system as a special education teacher for grades K, 3rd, 5th, and 9th until we moved to Woodstock, GA. Our family has been parishioners at Saint Michael’s for over 5 years now and a lot has happened in that short time. All 3 of my daughters have attended (or will attend) Saint Michael’s Preschool, my husband and I had our marriage convalidated on our birthday (we share the same exact birthday ☺️), and I currently am in the RCIA program, being Confirmed at the Easter Vigil Mass in March 2024. Saint Michael’s has very much become like a second home for us over the years and we are so grateful for the people we’ve met along the way.

Through my own family’s unexpected journey with special needs involving Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Autism, God has used my background to support individuals in their time of need. I am passionate about making church accessible and welcoming for all families. Your loved ones are not only welcome, but they will be valued and nurtured as well. Going to Mass with kids is difficult- especially if you are a family with special needs. We get that and we want to help make it easier! There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to special needs ministry. But there are lots of creative ways to ensure all people are welcome to worship and grow in their faith.

I invite you to join in what God is doing through these amazing kids and adults in our community! There will always be a place for your family at Saint Michael the Archangel.
There are many different gifts, but it is always the same Spirit…
-1 Corinthians 12:4