Parish Staff

Pastoral Staff 

Rev. Msgr. Antonio Cacciapuoti - Pastor

Fr. Antonio was ordained in Los Angeles in 1990 by Cardinal Roger Mahony and has served the Los Angeles Archdiocese for 20 years.  Fr. Antonio was born in Naples, Italy, completing his studies in Theology in Rome, Italy and at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, California.  He comes to us from Christ the King Parish in Hancock Park where he was pastor for 11 years.  Fr. Antonio is proud to be an American citizen.

Contact Information:

(818) 949-4300 | msgr@bede.org

 Rev. Kevin Kester - Associate Pastor

 Fr. Kevin Kester is a native of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.  Growing up in an Air Force family he moved extensively around the nation and the world.  He got his BA in mathematics in 1972 from Humboldt State University.  After working at the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, California he entered St. John's seminary in Camarillo, California and was ordained to the priesthood in 1981.  He has been serving at St. Bede's since September of 2003.  His hobbies include reading, crossword puzzles, sudokus and cooking.

He may be reached at 818-949-4312 or kevin@bede.org.

Fr. Tony Marti, OFM Cap. - 

Dcn. Augie and Marie Won - Deacon Couple

Educational Staff 

Ralph Valente - School Principal

Mr. Valente has served as a Catholic school educator in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the past 38 years. He has been principal of St. Bede the Venerable Catholic School since 1987.  Mr. Valente remains active in the classroom by teaching 8th grade Social Sciences in addition to his administrative duties as principal.  Due to his trusted experience and knowledge
 in his field, Mr.Valente has served as an audit chairperson for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Education Association.

Mr. Valente received a Bachelor of Arts from Niagara University, New York and a Masters in Education from the University of Southern California.  He is a member of the National Catholic Education Association, the National Council for Social Studies and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum.  Mr. Valente has served on a number of Archdiocesan Committees, including the Chairperson for the Development of Guidelines for Use of Educational Media.  

Mr. Valente has received several educational and Community Awards to recognize his excellence and leadership:  Who's Who of American Teachers, Los Angeles County Service Commendation, American Red Cross Service Recognition Award, Angie Civic Award, Les Tupper Service Award for La Cañada Special Olympics and La Cañada Youth House Service Recognition Award. Mr. Valente is married and has three grown children.  When not at St. Bede the Venerable School, he is active at his home parish, enjoys running and cooking.

 
Dr. Anthony Lupica - Director of Music

Administrative Staff 

Stefanie Vance - Director of Initiation-RCIA

 Stefanie Vance, our Director of Initiation-RCIA and Adult Faith Formation, joined the staff in 2005. She was led to St. Bede's in 1996 by a former co-worker who was in the process of becoming Catholic through RCIA.  She says, "I came as a prodigal daughter - coming home after a 20-year absence - and found a community of love waiting for myself and for my family."  A familiar face at St. Bede's, Stefanie co-leads Children's Liturgy of the Word, is on the Safeguard the Children Committee, and coordinates our many Christmas environment teams.  She is a certified catechist, a graduate of the Archdiocese's Parish Leadership Training Program, RCIA Certification Program at Loyola Marymount University, and has led lectionary faith-sharing as well as inter-denominational bible study groups in the Foothill area.  She is currenta graduate of the 3-year Catholic Bible Institute at LMU.  Stefanie's husband, Les, was baptized at St. Bede in 1999.  Their three children are Jessica (22), Chris (20), and Amanda (17).  Amanda is currently the weekend evening sacristan.   

 "I am humbled and amazed that I was chosen to lead our Initiation team." says Stefanie.  "To walk alongside others while they begin to discover the depths of their faith - what a gift from God! It's the best job in the world!"

You can contact Stefanie by phone at 818-949-4329 or via email rcia@bede.org   

Joshua Godson - Faith Formation

Joshua is privileged to have the responsibility of developing continuing adult formation programs and events for the parish community. Joshua’s discernment to the priesthood and decade-long career in Catholic education emphasizes his profound appreciation for the Catholic faith.

He is an alumnus of St. Francis High School and graduate of St. John’s Seminary, Camarillo, California.  He comes to St. Bede in a professional capacity with a strong love for the parish community, originating while attending the 5:30p.m. daily Mass at St. Bede since his high school years.  

Joshua remains dedicated to enlisting prominent professors from leading Catholic colleges and universities for our “Speaker Series” program.  In addition, he is credited to implementing our “Spirituality Nights,” spearheading our “Soup ‘n Cinema” series, and bringing the Archdiocesan “Theology on Tap” young adult program to St. Bede. 

Joshua, and his wife, Yvonne, are proud parents of Trinity, Noah, and Giovanni. 

“It is a real privilege to serve the best interest of my fellow parishioner’s faith journeys.”

Joshua can be contcted via email: joshua@bede.org and office: (818) 949-4325. 

Judy Grancich - Assistant to the Pastor

Connie Martin - Administrative Assistant and Parish Bulletin Editor

Lisa Orlandini - Business Manager
 

Moira Arjani - Director of Religious Education: 

  Mrs. Moira Arjani is the Director of Religious Education, also known as PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) for pre-school through high school. She is also responsible for the scheduling of baptisms. She has been a parishioner for nineteen years, taught in PREP for eight years before becoming director in 2005. Moira is a certified Director of Religious Education and a certified catechist through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. She is also certified in Pre-School and Elementary catechesis since 2003 and a certified trainer for catechists and teachers for Teaching Touching Safety. Moira is also a recent graduate of the Catholic Bible Institute at LMU. She continues her education with on-line classes at the University of Dayton. Moira organizes St. Bede's participation in the annual Religious Education Congress put on in Anaheim by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. She is a member of the Safeguard the Children Committee, the San Fernando Regional Synod 3 Initiative on Education Committee and a member of the steering committe for the Parish Leadership Network of Los Angeles (PLN-LA). Moira and her husband, Zubin, have two grown children, Jennifer (married to Arturo) and Patrick John (married to Rachel) and two grand daughters, Samantha Lynn and Hayden Grace. She may reached at 818-949-4323 or moira@bede.org

Diane Cwik - Confirmation Coordinator

Diane Cwik coordinates the Confirmation Program.  She may be reached at diane@bede.org or 818-949-4324.

JoAnn Gantus - Parent Education JoAnn Gantus is the  Director and Instructor of the Parent Education program at St. Bede.  She is the initiator of the Catholic program that provides a "side by side" learning environment for parents and their pre-school age children with an emphasis on faith and values.  Mrs. Gantus began her teaching career after she graduated from U.S.C. with a B.S. in History and an M.A. in Education along with a life-time California Elementary Teaching Credential. She taught kindergarten for 7 years before taking a break to raise her family.   After her family was raised, she undertook her career in Parent Education, and has been a Parent Education instructor for the past 16 years.  Mrs. Gantus has been married to John Gantus for 35 years and has four children;   Brandon (32 years) Jeanice (29 years) Mariana (27 years) and John (24 years). Prior to founding the program at St. Bede, Mrs. Gantus taught Parent Education classes at Glendale College for 15 years.  She is also the founder of the parenting program for the Pregnancy Help Center in Temple City, and a Certified Life Coach.  "Teaching is a gift from God.  There is no greater joy than to work with children and their parents and to see both the child and their parent flourish".  The program at St. Bede began in Spring 2010 with one multi-age class (0-5 years old) and grew to 3 classes  by Fall 2010. Currently classes are Tuesday (3/4 year olds)  and Wednesday  and Thursday (multi-age classes). A  4th class will be added, (Kinder Prep) this  Spring 2012!  See Education (Parent Education) for more information.  Jo Ann may be contacted @ (818) 599-5261 or parented@bede.org

Scarlette Chapman - Parish Religious Education Adminnistrative Assistant.

Mrs. Scarlette Chapman is the Parish Religious Education Program's (PREP) administrative assistant. She assists the Director of Religious Education and the coordinator of Confirmation with all aspects of the religious education programs, including class organization, parental liaison, sacramental preparation and celebrations and the Religious Education Congress. Working Monday-Thursday, Scarlette may be reached at 818-949-4322 or scarlette@bede.org.