Meet the Staff

Fr. Michael A. Van Sloun, Pastor

763-421-2471

Fr. Mike was appointed Pastor of St. Stephen’s on July 1, 2001, after serving as Associate Pastor for six years previously.  Prior to his priesthood ordination on May 20, 1995, he was a Crosier religious brother and a secondary school educator, first at Crosier Seminary High School, Onamia, Minnesota (1976-1989), and then at Central Catholic High School, Grand Island, Nebraska (1989-1991).  During those years he taught biology, health, general science, and physical education; coached cross country running, basketball, and track and field; was a Dean of Student Life, Athletic Director, and a Principal. 

The next four years (1991-1995) were spent in study at Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago where he earned an M.Div. in theology with a specialization in Sacred Scripture, and in ministry at St. Benedict the African Parish. 

 

Special ministerial interests include weekly Bible study, articles on theological topics, religious photography, retreats on Cross spirituality, and pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Italy, Greece and Turkey. 

 

Recreationally, Fr. Mike likes to go out for a daily run, and he is an avid sports fan. He particularly enjoys the University of Minnesota, especially Golden Gopher Basketball, as well as the T-Wolves, Vikings, and Twins.

 

 

Fr. Bennet Tran, Associate Pastor

763-421-2471

Fr. Bennet was appointed Associate Pastor of St. Stephen’s on June 17, 2008, his first assignment after being ordained from Saint Paul Seminary April 26, 2008. Fr. Bennet is a native of Saigon, Vietnam. He is the fifth of eight children in his family, he has five sisters and two brothers. He is a transplant to the Twin Cities having lived many years Western Michigan.

He completed undergraduate studies at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Psychology. He worked for several years in banking and information technology prior to entering the seminary. While at Saint Paul Seminary, Fr. Bennet interned at our neighbor parish of Epiphany in Coon Rapids and his deacon summer internship was at the Church of Saint Bernard on Rice Street.

Fr. Bennet enjoys reading, travel and is a University of Michigan Football fan. He is praying for a conversion of heart so that he might earnestly cheer for the Golden Gophers.

 

 

Fr. Fernando Ortega, Associate Pastor

763-421-2471

 

Fernando Ortega was born on August 11, 1969, in the city of Jacona, the province of Michoacan, in the country of Mexico. His parents are Louis Ortega and Maria Carmen Plancarte. He is the sixth of nine children. He attended San Agustin Parish, and lived in Mexico until the age of seventeen.

 

A number of Fernando’s brothers relocated to the United States, three to Chicago and one to California. In 1986 Fernando flew to Chicago to visit his three brothers who had begun a jewelry business. They told their younger brother, “If you stay, we will teach you the business.” Fernando accepted their offer, and it took him eight months to become an expert diamond setter. In 1994 they moved their business to Minneapolis. He was a professional jeweler for thirteen years.

Fr. Fernando enrolled in St. John Vianney Seminary in 1999 and graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a B.A. in philosophy and Catholic Studies in 2004. He spent an additional semester in Rome at The Angelicum to study Christian architecture. Fernando then moved to the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in 2004 and graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree in 2008. Fr. Ortega was ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, April 26, 2008, by Archbishop Harry J. Flynn, DD. His first two years of priestly ministry were at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault, Minnesota.

 

Jay Gish, Parish Business Administrator EMAIL

763-712-7434

I joined the Administrative Team staff in September 2007.  Prior to joining St. Stephen’s I worked for 23 years as an operations manager in the textile supply industry, most recently in the position of Corporate General Manager for a company based in the Midwest. 

 

In my role as the Parish Business Administrator, I represent the Pastor in and have oversight for all business affairs of the parish campus. The department heads for the Administrative, Accounting, Pastoral Care, Worship, and Faith Formation teams report to me.  I earned my B.A. in theological studies at North Central University.  I am married, and my wife Katie and I have a son, Skyler.  I enjoy spending time working around the lake cabin, fishing and reading. I am an avid sports fan, especially of college football.

 

Rose Lundrigan, Executive Assistant EMAIL

763-712-7474

My major responsibility is assisting the pastor with day-to-day administrative tasks.  I also am the office manager and supervise the support staff and custodial staff.  I maintain the personnel records and payroll and school tuition. I have worked at St. Stephen’s for 25+ years and every day has surprises.

 

My family joined St. Stephen’s in September of 1972. I have three adult children who attended St. Stephen's School and Totino Grace High School.  They have blessed me with eight grandchildren and three of them now attend St. Stephen's School.

 

Lynne Pinewski, Business Manager/Executive Assistant to the Parish Business Administrator EMAIL

763-712-7472

I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and my responsibilities are to manage the general accounting functions for the parish which include preparing financial reports and working in conjunction with the Parish Administrator in budgeting and other financial needs.

 

 I am very honored to be part of the staff in this parish as I am a lifelong resident of Anoka and joined St. Stephen's Church in 1985 through RCIA. My husband John and I were married at St. Stephen’s and all three of our children, Marissa, Matt, and Anna, have celebrated sacraments here. I truly enjoy being a member of the staff here and I am proud to be connected with such fine outreach and ministry programs that this church community provides.

 

 

Monica Freeman, Census and Contributions Coordinator , Facility Scheduler, Accounts Payable EMAIL

763-712-7438

I have been privileged to be a member of this parish for many years.

 

I hold a BA in Legal Studies from Hamline University.  I previously worked as a Litigation Specialist for a national homecare company and as a Legal Assistant specializing in contract review for a national insurance provider.  I left the corporate world in answer to God’s call to focus on my primary mission of being wife and mother.

 

In my position at the parish, I manage the membership database, am responsible for proper recording of member contributions, manage space scheduling, and process accounts payable. 

 

I am thankful to be able to use the organizational skills God has gifted me with in the service of this parish and in the building of God’s Kingdom here on earth.

 

 

Gerri Rose, Secretary/Receptionist EMAIL

763-712-7478

I joined St. Stephen's Church in 1978 after my family moved to Ramsey. I began working at St. Stephen’s School in August 1986 as a baker in the kitchen and continued in that role until 2002.  In 1999 I started working in the parish office part-time as the secretary/receptionist and I continue to serve in that capacity today. I am the staff representative for our parish gift shop, Stephen’s Marketplace.  I assist all staff with their office projects and enjoy ministering to the needs of our parishioners.

 

Mary Jane Beberg, Secretary/Receptionist EMAIL

763-712-7479

I work part-time for the parish as a Secretary/Receptionist in the Parish Office.  I especially enjoy the interaction with parishioners and staff while carrying out my job assignments.

 

My family joined St. Stephen’s Parish in 1974 when we bought a home in Anoka.  Over the years my husband Pete and I have been volunteers in many areas of the parish and school.  Our three children attended St. Stephen’s School and Totino Grace High School.  All three are now married and we enjoy spending our free time with our grandchildren.

 

Julie Gerads, Parish Secretary/Marketing Coordinator EMAIL

763-712-7485

I began working at the church as the part-time evening receptionist in September 1995, then moved into the full-time secretarial position in July 1998. My primary responsibilities include coordinating the weekly parish bulletin, updating the parish website, creating/coordinating messaging on the indoor and outdoor electronic signs, assisting in the coordination of parish mailings and marketing pieces, scheduling weddings and baptisms as well as assisting staff and parishioners in their ministries.

 

Bernie Leach, Worship Director EMAIL

763-712-7435

I joined the Pastoral Staff in July of 1990. As Worship Director, I meet monthly with the Worship Commission to hear recommendations for the Pastor about liturgical matters of the parish. In addition I collaborate with the Worship Associates to support the work of hundreds of liturgical ministers who serve the parish’s weekend, holy day, school, and sacramental liturgies through training sessions, scheduling and rehearsal, especially with musicians.

 

I am from the East side of St. Paul, Minnesota where I grew up in a large Catholic family and attended St. Jerome’s Catholic Grade School and Kellogg Public High School. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the College of St. Catherine in 1974. I taught Elementary School (second and sixth grade) in Forest Lake for two years, Community Education classes for preschoolers and guitar players in the Anoka area for 4 years and reading at St. Stephen’s school for 5 years. I earned a Masters in Pastoral Studies, with a focus in liturgy from the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity of the University of St. Thomas in 1992. May husband, Bill, and I, have been parishioners at St. Stephen's for 30 years. We have two married daughters who are graduates of St. Stephen's School, two sons-in-law and three grandchildren.

 

Jan Clare, Worship Associate EMAIL

763-712-7458

My family joined the parish of St. Stephen in the fall of 2000.  My ministry here started with RCIA and in May of 2002 I joined the staff of St. Stephen as a Worship Associate.  I have the privilege of working with many parishioners. I schedule and help with training for all of the Liturgical Ministers. I script out printed rituals and worship aids as needed. I assist with School liturgies. I oversee liturgical and musical supplies. I am in charge of Environment & Art.  

 

I have been married to my husband Darrel since 1991.  I have a Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Cloud State University. My husband Darrel and I both serve as Eucharistic Ministers and Darrel steps in occasionally as an Usher.  I have 2 children; one adult son, Phillip and another son, Parker who attends St. Stephen’s school.

 

Terri Renner, Worship Associate,
School Liturgy Coordinator EMAIL

763-712-7459

In addition to preparing St. Stephen’s School students for ministry at a weekly Mass on Thursday mornings, I also have the privilege of directing 4 music groups which minister to our community on weekends and Holy Days.  These groups include the Adult Choir, Teen Music Ensemble, Youth Choir and Handbell Choir.  Occasionally I sing for weddings and funerals, and I also coordinate Liturgy of the Word with Children.

 

I joined the Catholic church, the parish of St. Stephen’s, and became actively involved in the music ministry all at the same time in 1978, when I married here.  I joined the staff in 1995 as the youngest of my 4 children entered school. All 4 children are now grown.  My hometown is Hopkins and I received my music education degree from St. Cloud State University.

 

 

Matthew Davis, Youth Formation and Ministry Coordinator EMAIL

763-712-7480

 

I’m looking forward to serving as the new Youth Formation and Ministry Coordinator in your parish. I will coordinate the middle school and high school faith formation and youth ministry programs. I spent the past two years as the Director of Youth Ministry at the Church of St. Dominic in Northfield, MN. I coordinated the youth ministry program for both high school and middle school.

I spent many years as a confirmation small group leader and youth ministry volunteer at several parishes prior to St. Dominic. I also served for a year with NET Ministries in 2002-2003, and I received Catechetical Certification through the Young Disciples Teams program in the Diocese of Fargo, ND, during the summers of 2001 and 2002. In addition, I studied Scripture, philosophy and catechesis through Cardinal Muench Seminary in Fargo.

I’m originally from Grand Forks, ND, and I graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in Mass Communications. I am an avid NDSU Bison fan, and I would need a major conversion to become a Golden Gopher fan (especially in football). I am also big fan of the Vikings, Twins, Wild, Timberwolves, college and prep sports. My interest in sports helped me in my previous career as a sports reporter/editor at newspapers from 2004 to 2008. That included a stint at the Sun-Focus in 2004-2005. 

I recently married my wife, Sage, on April 10, 2010 at the Cathedral of St. Paul with Archbishop Emeritus Harry Flynn presiding. It was the happiest day of my life.

 

 

Erica Prond, Elementary Faith Formation and Sunday School Coordinator EMAIL

763-712-7440

Erica hails from Byron, Minnesota, ten miles west of Rochester. 

 

She is a 2005 graduate of Byron High School.  In 2009 she completed a B. A. degree in Theatre Arts from the University of St. Mary’s in Winona.  As an undergraduate in a Catholic college, she was required to take a number of theology courses as part of her general requirements, and her thesis project was on how the theater influences faith formation.  She currently is pursing a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (M.A.P.S.), also from the University of St. Mary.

 

Erica attributes her faith to her parents who are devout Catholics who passed the gift of their faith to their daughter. 

 

Aware of Erica’s solid Catholic practice, her theological education, and her love for children, Fr. Paul Surprenant, her pastor, invited her to be the Assistant Faith Formation Coordinator at Christ the King Parish in Byron and Holy Family Catholic Church in Kasson.  In her ministry, Erica has helped organize religious education classes  for 450 students in grades K-10 at both parishes, recruited and trained volunteer catechists, conducted classes on the Mass and the sacraments, promoted religious vocations with seminarians from Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, made presentations to high school girls on the importance of modesty, maintained the resource library, and managed all of the books and supplies.

Erica enjoys traveling.  Internationally, she has made three trips back to Italy, and locally, she enjoys excursions with friends exploring Minnesota.  Theater is her biggest interest and she also likes movies.

 

 

Katie McCarty, RCIA Coordinator/First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation Coordinator EMAIL

763-712-7430

Hi!  My work at St. Stephen’s this year includes my favorite tasks with families and children as they prepare for First Eucharist, First Reconciliation and Confirmation.  And I get to touch the lives of adults and children who are coming to St. Stephen’s wanting to become Catholic as I coordinate the RCIA process. I love working with people and walking along with individuals or families in their faith journeys. 

 

I began working at the Church of St. Stephen in July 1999 with 14 years sacramental instruction and RCIA development experience at St. Joseph's Parish Community in New Hope, MN. Prior to working at St. Joseph's, I worked for the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in the Office of Worship and as Director of Religious Education at St. Rose of Lima, Houston, TX. In the summer of 2004, I completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with concentration in the Pastoral Field at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.  I also hold a Master's Degree in Religious Education from the University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX, as well as a bachelor's degree in Religious Education from the same university.

 

 

Pam Havel, Coordinator of RCIA for Children and Youth

EMAIL

763-712-7437

In 1993, after we moved to Ramsey, our family joined St. Stephen’s. I have been actively involved in the parish in many ways, especially during the past ten years. Since 2007 I have served as coordinator of RCIA for Children and Youth at St. Stephen’s. I love working in the RCIA because I love people, liturgy, sacraments, Scripture, Pastoral Ministry, and passing on the faith. My responsibilities include preparing and presenting RCIA sessions, supporting young people (and their families) during the RCIA process, and recruiting, training, and supporting volunteer catechists and sponsors. I enjoy working with families very much and consider journeying with each young person and their family an honor and a privilege.

 

I grew up in Golden Valley, a (happy) middle child in a large Catholic family. I attended Catholic grade school and public high school. I worked as an RN from 1976 – 1987 after which I left the work force to stay home full time with our children. After they were grown I returned to college. I received a Pastoral Ministry Certificate and a B.A. in Theology from the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul in 2008. I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Theology and a Certificate in Catechetical Ministry at the University of St. Catherine in St. Paul. My husband Paul and I live in Ramsey with our son and two small dogs.

 

Joan Bednarczyk, Pastoral Care Director/Social Outreach EMAIL

763-712-7441

I have worked at St. Stephen's since 1992. My husband and I have been parishioners since 1981 and all three of our children attended St. Stephen's School. It has been a great joy to serve the people of this parish and the larger community. I have learned something about what it means to care for the "least" of my brothers and sisters; the elderly, lonely, divorced, homosexual, grieving and dying. In their pain, as in their joy, we belong and are connected to one another. We all are one - we all are WELCOME!