Meet the Staff

Fr. Michael A. Van Sloun, Pastor

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 and Italy. 

 

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. Terry Beeson, Associate Pastor

Fr. Terry was appointed Associate Pastor of St. Stephen’s on June 15, 2005, his first assignment after being ordained from Saint Paul Seminary May 28, 2005. He was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota, and went to Catholic grade school and high school.  After one year of college at Moorhead State University, he moved to the Twin Cities and attended Brown Institute for Radio Broadcasting. He worked for a short stint in radio in Carrington North Dakota (1982).  After radio he joined the Army, and served as a medic at Fort Dix, New Jersey (1983-1986).

 

After the Army, he worked at a plasma collection facility in Minneapolis, and had many different job titles there (1986-1999).  While working full-time at the plasma center, he went to night school first earning an Associate of Science Degree in accounting from Minneapolis Community College (1991), then a Bachelor’s of Science degree in accounting from Metropolitan State University (1991). 

 

Fr. Terry was an active member of Saint Olaf Catholic Church in downtown Minneapolis, as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and Usher.  In 1999, he entered the Seminary in the six-year program.  Fr. Terry likes to golf, ride his bike, play trivia, and do the daily crossword.  He is a big fan of the Vikings and Twins.

 

Fr. John Floeder, Associate Pastor

Fr. John Floeder was appointed Associate Pastor on June 13, 2007, his first assignment after being ordained from St. Paul Seminary on May 26, 2007. Fr. John was born in St. Paul and graduated from Mounds View High School in 1999. He decided to go right from high school into college seminary and attended the University of St. Thomas (1999-2003) while in formation at St. John Vianney Seminary.  Fr. John spent a semester abroad in Rome, Italy and studied at the Angelicum for the spring of 2002. Immediately following college, he entered the St. Paul Seminary (2003-2007).  Fr. John enjoys listening to music, hiking, running, and disc golfing.  He is a Twins and Wild fan.

 

Jay Gish, Parish Business Administrator EMAIL

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

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.  My children attended St. Stephen’s School. My husband died suddenly in 1999. I have three adult children:  a daughter, Jill and her husband Matt and their three children Matthew, Kathryn and Emma who live in Andover; my son, John and his wife Beth and their daughter Sophia who live in Lakeville; and a son, Jason, who lives in south Minneapolis.

 

Lynne Pinewski, Accounting Manager EMAIL

I am the Accounting Manager at the Church of St. Stephen. 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. Stephens 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, Membership Secretary, Facility Scheduler, Marketing Coordinator EMAIL

 

I have been privileged to be a member of this parish for the past 12 years.

 

Education/Background – 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, am responsible for parish mailings and creation of various communication pieces. 

 

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

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

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 six grandchildren.

 

Julie Gerads, Parish Secretary/Receptionist/
Desktop Publisher EMAIL

Also known as "Jill"-of-all-trades at the Church of St. Stephen! I'm a lifelong resident of Elk River. 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, answering the phones, updating the parish website, assisting in the scheduling of weddings and baptisms as well as assisting staff and parishioners in their ministries.

 

Bernie Leach, Worship Director EMAIL

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 two grandchildren.

 

Jan Clare, Worship Associate EMAIL

I started working at St Stephen in May of 2002. As Worship Associate, I schedule and help with training materials for all of the Liturgical Ministers. I script out printed rituals and worship aids as needed. I assist with School liturgies. I supervise liturgical and musical supplies.

 

My family joined St Stephen in the fall of 2000.  I have a Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Cloud State University. My husband Darrel and I both serve as Eucharistic Ministers.  I have two sons, Phillip who works on the schooner, Stephen Taber, in Rockland, Maine, and Parker, who attends St. Stephen’s school.

 

Terri Renner, Worship Associate,
School Liturgy Coordinator EMAIL

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; two daughters are married and 2 sons are attending college at St. Cloud.  My hometown is Hopkins and I received my music education degree from St. Cloud State University.

 

Jamie Schlough, Sunday School Coordinator EMAIL

My family joined St. Stephen’s in 1987 when we moved from Blaine to Anoka.  I began my ministry here as a Sunday school teacher that fall.  In July of 1997 I joined the parish staff.  I am married to my high school sweetheart, Paul, and we are the proud parents of Emily and Kevin who are college students.  Along with coordinating the Sunday School program, I also get to coordinate our Vacation Bible School program and Middle School Madness!

 

Chris Belanger Dittes, Children and Youth
Faith Formation Coordinator EMAIL

Chris began her ministry 16 years ago and has been a member of the parish since she was a child. She coordinates faith formation for grades 2-8 and also the Summer Stretch program for our middle school.

 

Becky Phillips, Youth Ministry Coordinator EMAIL

I coordinate the Teens In Action Formation program for 9th and 10th grade students and the Sacrament of Confirmation.  I also coordinate mission trips and the Edge.  Kelly and I work together to plan outreach events for 6-12th grade youth. I started working at St. Stephen’s in June 2005. I received an undergraduate degree in Theology and Pastoral/ Youth Ministry at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota and I am currently pursuing my Master’s Degree in Religious Education at the University of St. Thomas.

 

Kelly Linder, Youth Ministry Coordinator EMAIL

My job entails coordinating High School Small Group Formation and the High School Faith At Home program. I also coordinate the high school retreats and service projects. Becky and I work together to plan outreach events for 6-12th grade youth such as youth group and other fun activities. I started working at St. Stephen’s in the summer of 2007. I received an undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2003. My husband and I live in Brooklyn Park with our 1 year old Labrador, Cody.

 

Katie McCarty, Director of RCIA-CIC/Coordinator
of Sacraments for Children  EMAIL

Hi!  My work at St. Stephen’s this year includes my favorite tasks with families and children as they prepare for First Eucharist and First Reconciliation.  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 and CIC processes. 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.

 

Joan Bednarczyk, Pastoral Care Director EMAIL

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!