Vicar
William “Father Bill” Miller was born and raised in Houston and has lived in Abilene, Austin, Kauai (Hawaii), Chicago, and the New Orleans area. He has enjoyed helping spiritual communities grow, thrive and
reach out to make a difference in the world. Music has been a primary passion in his life and he has founded Music Festivals in Austin, Houston, Kauai, and Covington (Louisiana). He was also the owner of a music venue in Marfa, Texas called “Padre’s.” He is the author of three popular books that combine humor, storytelling, and spirituality: The Gospel According to Sam: Animal Stories for the Soul, The Beer Drinker’s Guide to God: The Whole and Holy Truth about Lager, Loving, and Living, and The Last Howlelujah: Tails from the Trail. Inspired by his dog, Nawiliwili Nelson, he is the driving force behind The Howlelujah Foundation, which is helping animals throughout the world and has a partner organization in Cape Town, South Africa. His favorite teams are the Houston Astros and the New Orleans Saints.
Ministry Coordinator
Sandy was born in New Orleans and has lived all along the Gulf Coast, and in Houston, Denver and Covington, Louisiana, where she raised her children. She has been a fitness instructor, flight attendant, soap-maker and a wonderful mom to her daughter Noelle (a fitness instructor in Orange County, CA), and son Kenneth (who will be starting Medical School at LSU New Orleans in the fall). Sandy’s spiritual journey has been broad and has taken her from the Episcopal Church to an Evangelical tradition, Catholicism and finally, back home to the Episcopal Church. She has led Bible studies, Prayer Groups and Spiritual Wellness programs for Women. Sandy and Bill had their first trip to Round Top in December of 2019 when Bill officiated a wedding in the Haw Creek Chapel. They got married in November of 2020 and moved to Round Top in May of 2021. They have five dogs: Sinbad, Mahalia Jackson Queen Liliuokalani, Mano (Shark) Professor Shorthair, Dash Riprock, and Roscoe Worthington Jones. Sandy loves travel, the performing and visual arts, and wine.
Music Director, Musician
Singer-songwriter Joey McGee makes music infused with the energy of his native New Orleans, informed by his days of working and living in Pittsburgh and inspired by the Brazos Valley experiences of his current home in Bryan, Texas. Influences from time spent in San Antonio also contribute to his appealing sound: an original mix of soul, country, blues, and rock that fit well in the American folk-roots tradition. Joey is our beloved artist-in-residence and you can discover more about him and his body of work here: www.joeymcgee.com.
Communications Director, Musician
Ellen hails from small-town Tennessee, where from a young age, she played numerous instruments including violin, mandolin, guitar, and piano. At 16, Ellen attended Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, Mass., and played in the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra at New England Conservatory. She attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where she focused on her passion for fiddle, and graduated with a BA in Professional Music. Ellen has performed at Carnegie Hall with artists such as The Three Tenors and Michael W. Smith; she has been a featured performer at The Grand Ole Opry, accompanying Ron Block of Union Station. Now a resident of Ellinger, TX, Ellen performs and works all over Houston, Austin, and surrounding areas. She frequently plays with local artists and bands including Western Bling and Slow Meadow. Most notably, she proudly serves as the fiddler and female vocalist of The Broken Spokes, an award-winning honky tonk group. Learn more about her here: www.ellenmelissamusic.com.
Church Administrator
Danelle Knox has joined our Saint Cecilia’s staff as quarter-time administrator. As our congregation has grown so quickly, more and more administrative tasks are required to keep us organized and on track. According to Fr. Bill “We are blessed to bring aboard someone who is not only a capable administrator with great work experience in the business world, she also understands the unique organizational structure of a church and how communities of faith function at their best. We are blessed to have her join our incredible staff!”
Danelle is a native Houstonian who transplanted to Brenham in 2016 to pastor the Vineyard Church with her husband, Joel, where they also lead worship. Danelle and Joel have 3 grown children; Chris, Jessica, and Anna, a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, 3 grand-dogs and 2 grand-cats. Danelle and Joel love taking road trips together and discovering whatever adventures might lie around the next turn. She is thrilled to be a part of the team at St. Cecilia’s as the new church Administrator.
Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry
Doug Forrest comes to his new calling as Youth and Children’s Minister at St.Cecilia’s after a 40 year career on his creative path as an Artist, Musician, Actor, Writer and Producer. Chapters of his life have included touring with MTV Bands of the 1980’s, performing in a hit Broadway show directed by fellow Tall Texan, Tommy Tune, producing and directing a music -driven Kid’s TV Show with a team of Disney and Jim Henson Muppeteers. His recent move to the Round Top area has him creating large scale wooden artwork from vintage Texas wood at www.dougforreststudio.com, performing as a singer/songwriter around Central Texas and continuing his pursuits into screenwriting and filmmaking.
The blessed Father to Olive and August, his leadership at a recent Youth Mission trip sparked a desire to share his Faith and Life Experience in a mentorship role with the younger generation. In meeting Fr. Bill, he immediately found a kindred spirit, cut from the same creative cloth. In assuming this new role of Youth and Children’s Minister at St. Cecilia’s, he brings to this mission his passion for all things creative, his natural connection with a younger audience and his deep faith and love of God. Stay tuned! Please offer your support where you can and keep Doug and his ministry in your prayers.
Bookkeeper
My name is Joyce Bacak. I was born in Weimar, graduated from Weimar Hight School and Wharton County Junior College with degrees in Data Process (Computer Programing) and Accounting. After four years at Shell Oil in Houston I moved to Flatonia to marry my husband Lee Bacak 42 years ago. We have been blessed with two sons, Patrick who lives in the Freyburg area and works in the oilfield and Lee Jr who live in Santa Monica, California and works in the film industry. I have worked in the accounting field for 43 years before retiring from full time employment in November of 2021. Upon retirement my husband and I moved to a part of my mother’s home place outside of Hallettsville. I have my own bookkeeping business and my husband likes to work on small engines and enjoys taking care of the property. We are members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville. I’m looking forward to assuming my duties at St. Cecilia’s and meeting more of its members.
