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 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. Nathan LaLiberte, Associate Pastor

763-421-2471

 

Fr. Nathan LaLiberte was ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, May 28, 2011, at the St. Paul Cathedral by Archbishop John J. Nienstedt, S.T.D., D.D., and his first assignment as a priest will be to serve as associate pastor at St. Stephen’s. 

 

Fr. Nathan is the son of Mark and Cathy LaLiberte.  He has one brother.  His home parish is All Saints in Lakeville.  Both his mother Cathy and the pastor of his home parish while he was growing up, Fr. Eugene Tiffany, had a strong positive influence on the development of his vocation to the priesthood.

 

Fr. Nathan attended St. John Vianney Seminary (SJV) on the campus of the University of St. Thomas (UST) and graduated with a B.A. degree in philosophy and Catholic studies in 2007.  Then he advanced without interruption to the St. Paul Seminary and graduated with a M.Div. degree in sacred theology from UST May, 2011.  Fr. Nathan’s teaching parish was Maternity of Mary in St. Paul. He took one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), hospital chaplaincy in-service training, during the summer of 2008 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois.  He was ordained to the diaconate at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis on May 1, 2010, and spent his deacon summer at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault.

 

Fr. Nathan is proficient in sign language.  He is an avid runner; he completed the Twin Cities Marathon in fall, 2008; and he hopes to run another marathon some day in the future.  He enjoys cooking and likes to experiment with varieties of spices, and he enjoys reading and is particularly fond of the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas.  He has a great devotion to the saints, and he enjoys reading the lives of the saints.

 

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

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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

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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/Stephen's Marketplace (Gift Shop) Coordinator EMAIL

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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/Calvary Cemetery Coordinator 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, Secretary/Marketing Coordinator EMAIL

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I began working at the church as the part-time evening receptionist in September 1995. I then moved into a full-time 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.

 

 

Mary Amundson, Receptionist/Secretary EMAIL

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I began working in the parish office as a part time Receptionist/Secretary in September 2007, which turned into a full time position in October 2010.  My job covers a wide range of duties from answering phones and greeting our guests/parishioners who visit the parish office to helping staff members with job duties they assign to me.

I have been attending St. Stephen’s since 1975 and have been involved in many volunteer areas at the parish.  I was commissioned a Stephen Minister in 1994, which I have found very rewarding and helpful to me as I carry out my job duties here at the parish.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

Barbara Ferron, Worship Associate

EMAIL

763-712-7430

Barbara and her husband David have been members of St. Stephen’s and actively involved in the Music Ministry since 2008. They have two adult children: Christopher and Renee. Prior to joining St. Stephen’s, Barbara participated in the Peoria, Illinois Cursillo community as a musician, liturgical planner and speaker; in addition she participated in the Music Ministry and the RCIA program at St. Vincent de Paul Parish - also in Peoria. Her involvement in RCIA was in conjunction with the SPEC (Special Persons Encounter Christ) program for the Diocese of Peoria. Barbara graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Missouri Southern State University.

 

One of Barbara’s favorite scripture passages is “Encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thes 5:11).” Barbara and the Worship Department look forward to working with the many liturgical ministers of this parish in that same spirit.

 

 

Mark Nuehring, Faith Formation Director EMAIL

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Mark has a B.A. degree in theology from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa, and a M.A. degree in theology and pastoral ministry from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota.

 

Previously Mark has served as the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Winona where it has been his special duty to oversee Faith Formation for all sixty-five parishes of the diocese.  He carried Bishop Bernard Harrington’s vision for teaching and sharing the faith to the catechetical leaders throughout the diocese.  He taught and explained the Church documents on catechesis, promoted greater parental involvement, led the creation of a new set of diocesan standards for high school students for the Sacrament of Confirmation, and oversaw the diocesan faith formation endowment.

 

Before serving at the diocesan level, Mark worked at two parishes, first as Director of Faith Formation at Christ the King in Des Moines, Iowa (1991-1995), and then at Holy Trinity, also in Des Moines (1995-2000).

 

Mark and his wife Margaret and their three children reside in Rochester, Minnesota, where they are members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

 

 

 

Patrick Quillan, 6th-12th Grade Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Coordinator EMAIL

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Patrick is originally from Lansing, MI. He grew up there with his parents, and three older siblings. He attributes much of his strong faith to the formation he received from his family. His father is a catechist in their home parish, and has been doing it for many years.

 

Patrick attended the University of St. Thomas, completing a double major in English and Catholic Studies. After graduating, he began his work for Saint Paul Outreach and returned to his alma mater to begin his Master’s in Religious Education. He will complete the degree summer 2011.  Patrick had two different past experiences of ministry which really equipped him for our parish setting. Most recently, he was Director of Development for Kairos North America. Before that experience, he was youth minister for the Community of Christ the Redeemer, based out of the National Evangelization Center in West Saint Paul.

 

Growing up in Lansing means he is a big Michigan State Spartan fan, but we won’t hold that against him. He enjoys following MSU sports, basketball in general, and is an avid fan of movies. He and Father Mike have already had a conversation about Patrick’s willingness to be a Minnesota Twins fan, and he appears open to this idea.

 

 

Erica Prond, Elementary Faith Formation and Sunday School Coordinator EMAIL

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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.

 

 

Pam Havel, Coordinator of RCIA and 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. 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 adults (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.

 

 

Laura Barron, Coordinator of Elementary Faith Formation, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Faith at Home

EMAIL

763-712-7430

Laura comes to us from the Rochester, Minnesota area, where she was the Director of Faith Formation for 450 students preschool through tenth grade. Laura began her work with us August 9, 2011.

 

Laura has many years experience leading catechetical programs in various sized parishes and in staff and leadership positions with the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois.

 

She is the mother of three—daughters in South St. Paul and Peoria, Illinois, and a son in St. Louis—and has two granddaughters in South St. Paul and a grandson in Peoria. In her free time she loves to travel, camp on “wheels” and do handicrafts. One of her goals is to find a lakeside campsite somewhere north for family and friends to enjoy on weekends.

 

 

Amy Chabot Pastoral Care Director MAIL

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After graduating with a Masters of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago, I did a three month Chaplaincy internship at Fairview U of M hospital in Minneapolis.  Prior to that, I had earned a B.A. degree in Religion and Spanish from UW-Eau Claire.  Between undergrad and graduate school, I worked as a Nursing Assistant at a nursing home in Eau Claire, WI.  And before attending the UW, I served a year with NET Ministries of Canada.  But I am no stranger to the greater Anoka area. I attended grade school at Epiphany, and graduated from Blaine High School.  During middle school, I worked at the Hardee’s in Anoka, where a family friend was manager.  On my breaks, I would sneak over to Saint Stephen’s for a visit in the adoration chapel. I am very happy to find myself back at Saint Stephen’s, not sneaking a visit, but proudly serving you and supporting you in your relationship with Him.

 

The pastoral care department is made up of the many dedicated volunteers in ministries such as WHO group, Bereavement Care, Stephen Ministry, Women of Wonder, Prayer Shawl, Family Table, Ministers to the Homebound and Hospitalized, to name a few. My role is to support and encourage these groups as they support and encourage you.  I look forward to serving you, with them, through all the mysteries of life.