Staff
Pastoral Staff
Fr. Mark Payne
Pastor
St. Margaret Mary, Blessed Savior, and
Northwest Milwaukee Catholic Parishes
Fr. Mark comes to us from St. Anthony on the Lake, where he served as an Associate Pastor. He has previously ministered as Pastor and Associate Pastor at several parishes throughout the Milwaukee area.
A native of Plymouth, Wisconsin, Fr. Mark attended St. Lawrence Seminary High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communications from Marquette University, with minors in Philosophy and Theology. In 1987, he joined the Norbertine community, later receiving his teaching certificate and working in high school education prior to his ordination to the priesthood on May 7, 1994.
Following years in teaching and campus ministry, Fr. Mark discerned a call to diocesan priesthood and was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. His assignments have included service at St. William and St. Theresa Parishes, and he served as Pastor of St. Veronica Parish for 13 years.
In 2016, he completed a Licentiate in Canon Law from The Catholic University of America. Fr. Mark continues to serve the Church with gratitude and joy, sharing the faith that has shaped his life since childhood. He looks forward to getting to know our community and to helping nurture the collaboration between our parishes.
Fr. Francis Assisi
Associate Pastor
St. Margaret Mary, Blessed Savior, and
Northwest Milwaukee Catholic Parishes
Rev. Fr. Francis Assisi Sebamalai is a native of Mannar, Sri Lanka, Fr. Francis was born on February 14, 1978, and was ordained a priest in 2007. Since then, he has served in a variety of pastoral roles both in Sri Lanka and in several countries around the world.
In addition to his Bachelor’s degree in Theology, he holds a Doctorate in Philosophy from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, where his research focused on Aristotle’s concept of friendship and its role in human happiness. He is fluent in Tamil, English, and Italian, has working knowledge of German and Sinhalese, and has studied Latin and Greek.
Fr. Francis has offered pastoral ministry and preached missions in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, England, and the United States. He has published scholarly works on philosophy and spirituality, and recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology.
Most recently, he served as a Professor of Philosophy and Formator at the National Seminary in Kandy, Sri Lanka. After nearly six years in seminary formation, he felt a deep call to return to full-time pastoral ministry—and God, in His providence, has now brought him to us.
Fr. Francis brings theological insight, pastoral experience, and a heart ready to serve!
Donica Lintner
Director of Administrative Services
Donica joined our staff in April, 2024. She owned her own business for six years. She and her husband of 20 years are members of St. John the Evangelist Parish. They spend their time volunteering for numerous activities including as an usher, live stream, serving on committees, and at the parish festival. They have been blessed with two boys. Donica considers her position here as a part of her ministry to the Church and is thrilled to be part of the St. Margaret Mary family.
Rev. Mr. Tony Dompke
Executive Secretary
Tony joined our parish staff in August of 2022. He is covenanted as a permanent Deacon at Mother of Good Counsel Parish, where he and his family are also members. Tony was ordained in September of 2024.
He is married and has three children, along with two very energetic huskies who keep the household lively.
Deacon Tony is available in the parish office Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. He is here to assist with a wide range of parish needs—from answering questions about the sacraments and faith formation to helping with funeral planning—and is happy to direct you to the right person or resource.
Neal Bardele
Director of Music
Neal has been part of StMMP's music ministry program since 2011, and attended StMMP grade school. He also performs throughout SE Wisconsin as a jazz pianist. He holds a B.S. degree from Marquette University & an MBA from UW-Madison. He and his wife live in Wauwatosa, and their adult daughter lives out east.
