Fr. Anthony Yates was ordained a priest in 2010 and since that time has served at St. Simon the Apostle Parish, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, and at St. Clare of Assisi Parish before coming to St. Joseph Parish in 2024.
In addition to shepherding our Parish, Fr. Yates is an adjunct faculty member at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. He teaches seminarians in third theology who are preparing for the transitional diaconate. His class is the Deacon Practicum, so he teaches how to celebrate baptisms, weddings, funerals, and all the other liturgical matters. Fr. Yates believes it is truly a blessing to share in the formation of seminarians. He is also a Pastor Supervisor for the Pastoral Internship Program.
Fr. Yates is the oldest of his 3 siblings and 3 stepsiblings. His brother and two sisters are all married; Fr. Yates has one niece and two nephews whom he loves visiting. He grew up in North St. Louis County in Spanish Lake during grade school and West St. Louis County in high school, graduating from Marquette High School in Chesterfield and Lindenwood University for undergraduate. In high school and college, he worked for Target in various management roles and discerned Seminary in 2005. He likes to say he traded in his red shirt for a black shirt! In his free time he enjoys visiting with priest friends for a nice meal out, exercising, cooking, and going to theatre such as the Muny or Fox.
Dr. Dave Meschke, Ed.D, Principal
Dr. Dave Meschke is thrilled to continue his passion for educational leadership as part of our school community. A proud lifelong educator, Dr. Meschke brings over two decades of dedicated experience to his role, having served for 26 years in the Mehlville School District as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and building principal. Notably, he spent his final 18 years in the district providing steady, student-centered leadership as the Principal of Wohlwend Elementary School. His deep roots in the St. Louis area education system began with his own schooling, graduating from Oakville High School before earning a teaching degree from Saint Louis University. Committed to continuous growth, he later earned master's degrees from Fontbonne University and Lindenwood University, culminating in a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Maryville University.
Outside of school, Dr. Meschke enjoys a vibrant life centered around family and personal hobbies. He and his wife are proud parents of a son who is currently attending the University of Missouri, making them avid fans who love heading to Columbia to cheer on Mizzou at football games. When he isn't attending games or spending time with his family, Dr. Meschke can often be found outdoors fishing for smallmouth bass on local streams, or in the garage tinkering with and maintaining his family's vehicles. He looks forward to partnering with families, staff, and students alike to foster a supportive and thriving learning environment this school year.
Rev. Donald Morris, Associate Pastor
A native of Saint Louis, Father Donald Morris grew up in the South Saint Louis, attending St. Gabriel the Archangel then Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic grade schools. Fr. Morris was a member of the St. Raymond's Maronite Cathedral in Downtown Saint Louis. After grade school, he moved to House Springs with his family and attended Northwest High School. Following high school Fr. Morris went to Rockhurst University for two years prior to transferring into Cardinal Glennon College Seminary.
After 7 years of seminary formation, Fr. Morris was ordained in 2022 as a priest of Jesus Christ. His first year of priesthood was spent at Our Lady of Lourdes-Washington as an Associate Pastor. After that year, he became Associate Pastor of St. John the Baptist-Gildehaus and Chaplain at St. Francis Borgia High School, while remaining Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes. Fr. Morris is thrilled to be assigned to St Joseph's Parish and School as of 2025.
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