Meet the Staff

 

Our Pastor - Msgr. James Gehl

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Msgr.Gehl attended Our Lady Queen of the Angels Minor Seminary and St. John's Seminary College & Theologate.  He was ordained a priest in 1974

Msgr. Gehl served as Associate Pastor of St. Elizabeth in Altadena, St. Michael in Los Angeles, and St. Mary in Palmdale.  He also served as Associate Director, Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education.  Msgr. Gehl earned his Master of Arts in Family Ministry from Fordham University in New York. He subsequently served as Director,  Archdiocesan Office of Family Life.

Msgr. Gehl served as Pastor of St. Joseph the Worker in  Canoga Park from 1993 to June 2004 when he came to us at St. Bede.  He was Dean of Deanery 5, a member of the Council of Priests, and a member of the College of Consultors for Cardinal Mahony.  Presently he is serving as Dean of Deanery 6, in which St. Bede is located.

Some favorite life and ministry words from Msgr. Gehl are: faith, family, friends, collaboration, inclusivity, justice, mulitcultural, music, games, sports.

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.

  
Deacon Rick and Mrs. Ann Pomphrey

Deacon Augie and Mrs. Marie Won


Ministry Staff

Dorothy Holm - Director of Liturgy and Ministries

In collaboration with the pastor and associate pastor, Dorothy is responsible for facilitating the worship life of our parish by coordinating and providing liturgical experiences which celebrate and strengthen the community's faith journey.  This also involves ensuring the quality training and formation for all liturgical ministries. She is the advisor or support for all parish ministries working collaboratively to recognize and support the pastoral needs of the parish. Dorothy is on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Master Catechist Advisory Board, the Adult Faith Formation Board; is the chairperson of Parish Leadership Network of Los Angeles.  She is a master catechist with specialization certifications in Preschool, Elementary, Jr. High, Director of Religious Education and Liturgical ministries by the archdiocese. Dorothy can be reached at dorothy@bede.org and 818-949-4321. 

 
Dr. Anthony Lupica - Director of Music

Stefanie Vance - Director of Initiation-RCIA and Adult Faith Formation

 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 currently a student in the 3rd year 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   

Office Staff

Diane Boysen - Business Manager

Judy Grancich - Parish Bulletin

Connie Martin - Daytime Front Desk

Lisa Orlandini - Development

Tracy Ser - Accounting

Martha Oronoz - Evening Front Desk

 
 Education

 Moira Arjani    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 fourteen 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 also 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 Parish Pastoral Council, Safeguard the Children Committee, the Liturgy Committee, the San Fernando Regional Synod 3 Initiative Committee and chair of Laudate, the annual Pastor's Award Dinner. She may reached at 818-949-4323 or moira@bede.org.

 Theresa Costanzo Theresa Bui Costanzo is our part-time Confirmation Coordinator. She has come to St. Bede with 13 years of experience in Confirmation preparation and youth ministry. She was the full-time coordinator of Youth Ministry and Confirmation preparation at Our Mother of Good Counsel in the Los Feliz area for four years. Theresa is an Archdiocese of Los Angeles certified Confirmation Coordinator and catechist.  She is a member of the National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders (NACYML).  She is also a certified trainer of catechists and teachers for Teaching Touching Safety and serves on the Safeguard the Children Committee.  Theresa, her husband Tony, and their two daughters, Christina (6) and Pia (3) are new parishioners at St. Bede. She can be reached at 818-949-4324 or theresa@bede.org.

Joshua Corzantes

Mr. Joshua Corzantes is our part-time Youth Minister, working with youth of our parish from grades 9-12.  Joshua works closely with the Confirmation Coordinator ensuring youth of all ages are brought together in praise and worship.  Joshua comes to us from Our Lady of Guadalupe, Rose Hills in Los Angeles.  He has worked with the youth in a variety of ministeries and is a certified catechist through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  Joshua also has his Confirmation Specialization and is certified in Teaching Touching Safety. Joshua is currently enrolled in the Archdiocesan Master Catechist program.  He can be reached at 818-949-4325 or joshua@bede.org . 

Scarlette Chapman 

Mrs. Scarlette Chapman is the Parish Religious Education Program's (PREP) administrative assistant. She assists the Directors of Religious Education and Youth Ministry 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.  

Rose Banich - Director of Vacation Bible Camp, and assists with the Teen Life Program. 

Rose has been a catechist and volunteer youth worker since her own high school years.  She is an Archdiocese of Los Angeles Certified Catechist, and is certified in Junior High Catechesis and Youth Ministry as well.  Rose is also one of our parish's trained and certified Virtus (Protecting God's Children) trainers, and serves on the Safeguarding the Children Committee, as well as on the parish Website Committee, the Liturgy Committee and the Board of the Parish Council of Women. She can be reached at  rose@bede.org.

Ralph Valente