ST STEPHEN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Hispanic Ministry Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Confirmation Coordinator
- Member at St. Stephen
Barry McCullough has been a member at St. Stephen's since age of 5. He earned a BFA in Graphic Design from Moorhead State and continues to be a freelance designer, working for his own clients from home. His Faith was ignited after attending the St. Stephen's bible study and from there, helped serve the St. Stephen's Development Team, Men's Ministry, the Knights of Columbus, and teaching Faith Formation. He also is a graduate from the Catechetical Institute and School of Prayer, as a way of enriching his Catholic Faith. Helping grow the Faith in others is how he's called in serving God.
Currently, he lives in Andover with his wife Sarah and their two boys. In his spare time, he enjoys baseball and coaches his youngest's baseball team.
St. Stephen's Catholic Community would like to welcome Courtney Young as our Music Director, beginning March 8, 2021. Courtney brings extensive experience in piano and voice performance and we are excited for the community to meet her.
Courtney has worked at various parishes throughout the Archdiocese, most recently at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. She also fills in as a cantor and soloist at the Basilica. Courtney has been involved with local professional choirs including Vocal Essence, Minnesota Chorale, and the Together in Hope Choir where she traveled to Rome. While in Rome she sang in the Sistine Chapel and for the Pope.
Job Titles:
- Maintenance and Facilities Director
Dan has 32 years of experience in construction and building maintenance. He lives in Maple Grove. In his off time, he enjoys spending time with his wife camping around the country. He also enjoys spending time with his adult children and grandchildren. Dan takes his therapy dog, Emily, to visit the library for the R.E.A.D. program and visits mental health facilities with her as well. He grew up in St.Paul. Went to Hill-Murray and Harding Highschool.
Job Titles:
- Faith for Life Director and Liturgy Director
Eileen joined the parish staff as an Administrative Assistant in June of 2014 after having worked at St. Stephen's School for eight years. Prior to that she worked as a Network Administrative Assistant/PC Support in the banking industry.
She grew up, with her seven siblings, just north of Bethel, MN and attended St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Isanti. She and her husband joined St. Stephen's when they were married here in 1993. They have twin boys that graduated from St. Stephen's School in 2013.
Job Titles:
- Faith Formation Administrative Assistant
Fr. Bennet Tran was assigned by Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda as Pastor of St. Stephen's Catholic Church effective July 1, 2018.
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 in 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 in St. Paul. He was ordained a priest April 26, 2008 by Archbishop Harry J. Flynn. He served St. Stephen as Parochial Vicar (Associate Priest) June 2008 until June 2011. He then served St. Vincent de Paul as Parochial Vicar (Associate Priest) June 2011 until June 2012. He was appointed Pastor of St. Joseph in Waconia July 2012 and served there through June 2018.
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.
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor
- Parochial Vicar
Fr. Tim Tran has been the Parochial Vicar (Associate Pastor) of St. Stephen's Catholic Community since July 2022. After his ordination to the priesthood on May 30th, 2020 for the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis by Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda and prior to this assignment Fr. Tim served as the associate at St. Odilia's Catholic Community in Shoreview for two years.
This in fact is Fr. Tim's third time at St. Stephen's. As a seminarian, he was here for the month of January in 2014 with the previous pastor Fr. Jack Long, and for two months during his deacon summer in 2019 with our current pastor Fr. Bennet Tran (no relation). As they say, "Third time is a charm." Fr. Tim is grateful to be able to serve both the English and Spanish-speaking communities of St. Stephen's.
Fr. Tim is the youngest of three children in his family and was born in Saigon, Vietnam. Although an immigrant, he is a Minnesotan through and through having arrived to the United States in December of 1993 to a blanket of white snow. Prior to entering seminary in 2012 Fr. Tim received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Minnesota with plans of entering medical school. The Good Lord had other plans.
In his free time Fr. Tim enjoys reading (theology, spirituality, and the lives of the saints as well as a good historical fiction novel) and hiking/taking nature walks. He loves spending time with his family and especially with his two nieces. Taking an annual road trip pilgrimage to a shrine or significant spiritual place in the States has been his tradition since 2015. It's a constant reminder to him that we are all pilgrims on the journey toward Heaven.
Job Titles:
- Pastoral Care and Community Life Director
Gayle McMullen started as St. Stephen's Pastoral Care and Community Life Director in June 2023.
Gayle has been active in many church ministries and is excited to be a part of the St. Stephen's staff. She has a passion to serve God and a strong compassion for others. Please feel free to stop by the Parish Office and introduce yourself to Gayle.
Lynne holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting with responsibilities as Parish Administrator to manage the budget, accounting, administrative, human resources, and legal functions for the parish and school.
She started her career here in 2007 and is very grateful for the team and commitments of the staff members here at St. Stephen's Catholic Community. In addition, Lynne is appreciative of the support for all of the ministry services and programs so that we may all grow in serving our mission to seek, love, and serve our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Lynne is a lifelong resident of the Anoka area and proud to call St. Stephen's her faith home.
Job Titles:
- Administration & Finance Director
- the Administration & Finance Director
Marisa is the Administration & Finance Director. She started at St. Stephen's in 2016. She manages the general accounting functions for the parish and school. She also manages human resources and the administration department.
She has been a parishioner of St. Stephen's since she was a child and her son graduated from St. Stephen's Catholic School.
Marisa is very dedicated to the St. Stephen's Catholic Community.
Job Titles:
- Calvary Cemetery Administration Manager
Mary Jane works part-time for the Church as the staff liaison for Calvary Cemetery. She especially enjoys the interaction with parishioners and staff while carrying out her various job assignments. Mary Jane is also the staff liaison to our annual Mardi Gras Gala.
Mary Jane's family joined St. Stephen's Parish in 1974 when they bought a home in Anoka. Over the years, Mary Jane and her husband Pete have volunteered in many areas of the parish and school. Their three children attended St. Stephen's School and Totino Grace High School. All three are married. Mary Jane enjoys spending her free time with grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Elementary Faith for Life Coordinator, Youth Minister & Marketing & Communications Specialist
Hello to my St. Stephen's family! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Molly Rausch and I have been a member here my whole life. I have always referred to St. Stephen's as my home away from home. I have volunteered at the parish from a young age, and since the fall of 2020, I have been able to say I am an employee of the parish.
I graduated from the University of St. Thomas in May of 2021 with a double-major in Social Work and Catholic Studies. I am honored to be a part of this wonderful staff and parish community. I look forward to whatever it is God has in store for all of us! Know of my love and prayers for you all!
Job Titles:
- Faith Formation Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Hispanic Ministry Music Coordinator