Ten years ago, Stephen Pareja was ordained a deacon by Bishop Emeritus John Kinney. Answering that call, he said, helped to prepare him for his new role — announced Oct. 28 — as executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud.
“As deacons, we are called to serve, and that’s exactly what Catholic Charities does,” Deacon Pareja said. “It’s a great way for me to [use] my ministry as a deacon and my experience in education and health care in a different way, continuing to do God’s work.”
Bishop Donald Kettler announced the appointment, effective Nov. 28, during a press conference in St. Cloud Oct. 28. He will succeed current executive director Steven Bresnahan, who is retiring after leading the organization for 22 years.
“We’re thrilled to have someone of Stephen Pareja’s caliber leading such an important part of our faith community,” the bishop said.
He also thanked Bresnahan for his dedicated work “as the leader of our church’s arm of charity — probably some of the most important work we do for families, for youth, for immigrants and refugees, and really anyone in need throughout the diocese.”
Deacon Pareja will remain in his current assignment in diaconal ministry at St. Francis Xavier Church in Sartell, where he lives with his wife. The couple has two college-age children.
He comes to the new job after extensive experience in the health care industry, serving most recently as director of clinical services at CentraCare Health in Monticello, Minnesota.
He graduated from Indiana University with degrees in radiologic technology and business and later earned a master’s degree in health care administration from Ohio University and a master’s degree in theology from St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary in Collegeville.
When Bresnahan announced last May his intent to retire, Catholic Charities formed a national search committee. The search attracted more than 50 applicants and was narrowed down to four finalists.
“We were blessed with a tremendous pool of candidates,” said Mardi Noyes, director of human resources for Catholic Charities and a member of the search committee.
“Steve was one of many outstanding candidates but it was very clear to us that he’s going to be an excellent leader.”
The search committee consisted of Noyes; members of Catholic Charities’ corporate board: Father Robert Rolfes, vicar general of the diocese and chair of the search committee; Jane Marrin, chancellor of the diocese; and Merle Felling; as well as board of directors members Gary Bechtold and Benedictine Sister Jean Juenemann.
“We analyzed the candidates from the perspective of how they were going to do in terms of the job description … but also their values,” Noyes said. “Steve’s personal and professional value systems so closely align with Catholic Charities that, in my mind, that is what put him over the top. Respect, dignity, accountability — all of those things align with our mission.”
That mission means serving all those in need.
“What we are called to do at Catholic Charities is to serve everyone,” Deacon Pareja said. “It’s not about evangelizing or proselytizing or conversion. It is about living the Gospel; it’s about imitating Christ. Christ helped the Jew and the Gentile. Christ didn’t worry about where you lived, where you come from, what color you are, what you believe in. He just helped people. So the role of Catholic Charities is to imitate Christ here on earth regardless of who [people] are and where they come from.”
Deacon Pareja said his initial focus will be getting to know all of the agency’s stakeholders, including the staff and volunteers, financial contributors and the individuals, children and families that benefit from its programs.
“I want to connect with all those folks. [Catholic Charities has] more than 40 programs spread across 16 counties. What I want to do is understand and assess those programs, see where the strengths and opportunities are and get to know where we can make a difference,” he said.
Not only does he have hopes of maximizing resources within Catholic Charities, he also wants to team up with other resources in the communities it serves.
“There are unfortunately lots of people who need help and I think there are a lot of people who don’t realize the resources of Catholic Charities and other organizations like it,” Deacon Pareja said. “Not only do I want to promote what Catholic Charities brings to the diocese, but what other charitable organizations or programs are available so that we’re partnering with them [and] the people who need help find it and can access it.”
Bresnahan and Deacon Pareja will work closely together during the transition. Bresnahan said his main advice for the new executive director is to spend as much time as possible with the staff, volunteers and people Catholic Charities serves.
“It’s hard to do when you’ve also got all the business ‘stuff’ to manage,” Bresnahan said. “But if there’s one thing, as I look back, that I wish I would’ve done more of, it would’ve been that. That’s where the mission comes alive, where the work we do comes alive. I’ve got this collection of stories of how we’ve touched people’s lives — some told to me by staff, by volunteers, by clients. That’s what nourishes me the most.”