Fr. Joseph A. SteinbeisserPastor
Phone:(320) 593-4772
E-mail: frjoe@hutchtel.net
On July 1, 2007 Fr. Joe was appointed Pastor of St. Philip's Church after serving 11 years as Pastor of the Church of St. Mary of Willmar, MN. Ordained on June 7, 1986 Fr. Joe served as an associate pastor at Holy Redeemer in Marshall, MN from 1986 to 1989. He was appointed Vocation Director for the Diocese of New Ulm in 1989 as well as Pastor of the Church of the Japanese Martyrs and the Church of St. Paul of Comfrey, MN until he was appointed pastor of St. Mary's in Willmar.
He attended St. John Vianney College Seminary at the University of St. Thomas from 1979 to 1982, graudating with his Bachelors degree in Communication. He earned his Masters of Divinity Degree at St. John's University, Collegeville, MN in May of 1986.
Fr. Joe was born in Olivia, Mn and has 4 sisters and 5 brothers and several nieces and nephews. He enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Diana McCarneyPrincipal
Phone:(320) 693-6283
E-mail: mccarney@stphilipsschool.com
Diana began as principal of St. Philip School in 2001 after being the part time music teacher there for the previous 10 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Music Education from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul and taught public school elementary music for eight years. While serving as Religious Education Director at the Church of Our Lady, Manannah, she received a Master's Degree in Pastoral Ministry from St. John's University, Collegeville. Diana's administrative licensure degree is from St. Mary's University.
Diana and her husband Michael have four grown children and live on the family heritage farm near Manannah. She continues her role as organist at the Church of Our Lady, Manannah. She has had the opportunity to travel to Rome and China while her daughters were there. If they continue to study and work in faraway places, she may see the world.
Brenda GratesParish Administrator
Phone:(320) 593-4770
E-mail: bgrates@thechurchofstphilip.org
Brenda Grates joined the Parish as the Parish Administrator in July 2010. Prior to joining St. Philip's she worked for 11 years at Faribault Foods in the Quality Assurance department.
Brenda will assist the Pastor and Parish Administrative Council with their role of adequately maintaining the financial well-being of the Parish. Responsible for all the administration of the parish facilities, employee salaries, benefits, insurance programs and operation of the parish offices. In addition to these responsibilities Brenda assists with the management of the parish cemeteries and maintains all sacramental records, oversees the parish website and the preparation and distribution of the weekly bulletin and the mailings.
Brenda is married and has 2 daughters. She enjoys spending time outdoors camping, gardening, fishing and mostly spending time with her family and friends.
Brent SundveFinance Manager
Phone:(320) 593-4777
E-mail: bsundve@thechurchofstphilip.org
Brent joined the Parish Staff in July 2010. He became a member of St. Philip's at the Easter Vigil in 2008. He has worked for 15 years in the accounting field, including 6 years at the International Headquarters of the Church of the Nazarene, during which he was promoted to Accounting Manager.
As the Finance Manager he has oversight of the accounting for the parish. Brent earned his B.A. in Accounting at Mid America Nazarene University. He enjoys fishing and spending time with his nephews and niece.
Stephanie JoyceFaith Formation Director/
Youth Minister Gr. 6-Adult
Phone:(320) 593-4775
E-mail: sjoyce@thechurchofstphilip.org
Stephanie began here at St. Philip's parish in July of 2011. A 2008 Graduate of Benedictine College of Atchison, KS she has a B.A. in Religious Studies and a minor in Art. She is from the Sleepy Eye MN area where some of her family currently is living and has grown up in the Diocese of New Ulm. Active in her home parish of St. Mary's Sleepy Eye, She is involved in Schoenstatt as a Girls Youth Leader.
Stephanie was born in Omaha, NE and has 2 brothers and 7 sisters. She enjoys biking, walking, spending time outdoors and canoeing when the weather is nice. Also spending time with Family and Friends.
Karen KulzerFaith Formation Director, Preschool-Gr.2
Phone:(320) 593-4776
E-mail: kkulzer@thechurchofstphilip.org
Karen Kulzer joined the parish staff in 2001 as coordinator for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. In 2003 Karen added Faith Formation Director for Preschool-5 Grade children to her job description.
Karen received her BA in Education from The College of St. Benedict in 1996. Karen taught religion at Holy Trinity High School in Winsted, MN before joining the Faith Formation Team at St. Philip's.
Karen is married to Gerard Kulzer. They have 5 children, who often take on the role of testers for new projects and ideas.
Karen enjoys many creative endeavors, especially painting and photography, but her favorite pastime is spending time with her family and friends.
Mary RoersSt. Philip's School Secretary
Phone:(320) 693-6283
E-mail: roers@stphilipsschool.com
Mary started at St. Philip School in August 2011. Prior to that she was assistant Teacher at Crackerjack Nursery School for the past 11 years. Born & raised in Litchfield - Member of St. Philip's all my life. Married to Bill Roers - we have two grown sons both attending St. John's University in Collegeville.
Jan KleinFaith Formation Secretary
Phone:(320) 593-4780
E-mail: jaklein@hutchtel.net
Jan has been a member of St. Philip's parish for 23 years. In 1995 she started working in the parish office helping count the collection and doing the bulletin and other office tasks. In 1999 she moved over to the school and is still working there as the secretary of the school and the Faith Formation department.
Jan is married to her husband Jim for 27 years and they have 2 grown daughters, 2 grandsons and another grandchild on the way.
Dave EischensMaintenance
Phone:(320) 221-1045
E-mail: davee@huchtel.net
Dave's Bio.
Ron EbnetPastoral Life Coordinator
Phone:(320) 593-4773
E-mail: rebnet@hutchtel.net
Ron has been a member of St. Philip's Parish for 46 years. After graduating from Holdingford High School, Ron attended St. John's University in Collegeville and graduated in 1962 with a B.A. in art. He moved on to St. Cloud State University where he completed a 5th year program in education. His first and only teaching job began in the fall of 1964 here in Litchfield, where he started the Jr. High art program. In a span of 35 years he taught Jr. High, Middle School and High School art. He retired from his teaching position in 1998.
Ron has been active in the community doing extensive work with the Jaycees and serving both as Councilman from his ward and Litchfield Mayor.
Ron started working for the Church of St. Philip in September of 1999 as the Administrative Assistant with duties that included: bulletin editor, records and certificates, collection records and other office duties as they arose. In July of 2010 he became our first Parish Life Coordinator with responsibility for the sick and homebound and providing Eucharistic Ministry to the Nursing Homes. He is also in the process of develop- ing a Welcoming/New Member program to better involve the new members of our parish. Responsibility for the parish Christmas Project will also be his as well as working with the Community Meal Program and other duties for the betterment of the parish.
Ron and his wife Crystal, who taught at St. Philip's School for 25 years, have 2 grown daughters, Kelly and Kerry, and 3 grandchildren, Lauren 12, Molly 9 and Luke 1 1/2.
A Contact list is available on our Contact page.