Staff

Fr. Jeff Stephan became the Pastor of St. Sabina on June 12, 2012. Prior to coming here, Fr. Jeff was the Pastor of St. Joseph in Easton and St. Ann in Plattsburg.  He has brought to our parish the ministry of mission even before Pope Francis started to preach of mission.  St. Sabina currently sponsors 11 university students in the towns of Cinquera and San Isidro, both in El Salvador, we help with religious education and support the vacation bible school mission in Anapra, Mexico. Fr. Jeff graduated from Conception Seminary College in 1995 and received an MDIV degree at Mundelein Seminary in 2001.  During the summers while at Mundelein, Fr. Jeff studied Spanish in Guadalajara Mexico.  He was ordained on May 26, 2021.   If you need to set an appointment to meet with Fr. Jeff, please contact Kris Larkey at 816-979-3151.

Deacon Mike and his family have been parishioners at St. Sabina since 1986. Deacon Mike was ordained deacon on June 4, 2011. He is involved with the Marian Prayer Group and the Hispanic, marriage and hospice ministries at St. Sabina. 

Brenda’s responsibilities include:

• Updating the website, and social media
• Editing our parish bulletin
• All communication needs of the parish

Brenda has been a parishioner at St. Sabina parish since 1964. Her grandparents, Lawrence and Louise Mucke, and her mother, Maxine (Mucke) Bremer were a founding family for St. Sabina Parish. Brenda became an altar server in 2023. She retired from her Payroll/Accounting job in December 2021 and joined our parish staff in May of 2024.

You can reach Brenda at 816-979-3159 or brenda@stsabinaparish.org.

Anika’s responsibilities include:

• Coordination of the people and items that have to do with prayer and worship for the parish
• Formation and scheduling of volunteer liturgical ministers like Eucharistic Ministers, Hospitality Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, and Sacristans
• Coordination of the Art & Environment Committee
• Managing of cantor scheduling, rehearsal, and education
• Coordination of the liturgical needs for special liturgies such as weddings, funerals, and bilingual Masses
• Maintenance of sacristy items & those who care for them (Altar linens, candles, plants, etc.)

Anika became a member of St. Sabina parish in 2019, volunteering as a choir member and cantor. She did part-time liturgical work at St. Sabina through the majority of 2023 before becoming a full-time member of the staff later in the year. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music from Truman State University.

You can reach Anika at 816-979-3154.

Kris’ responsibilities include:

• Assisting our Parish Staff with HR needs
• Coordinating baptisms, weddings, marriage preparation, Quinceañeras, and funerals
• Assisting with Hispanic Ministry, Stewardship, Finance Council, and Pastoral Care
• She is an annulment advocate
• Working with our parish groups to assist them in planning activities and events
• Coordinating our efforts in our relationship with Cinquera and San Isidro in El Salvador to sponsor scholarships for students
• Sacramental records
• Space reservations for classes, meetings, parties, etc.

Kris became a parishioner of St. Sabina in 1974. She left the area in 1976 and returned in 1981. Kris ​volunteered as the Hispanic choir director from 2001-2006. She has worked in the office since March of 2006.

You can reach Kris at 816-979-3151 or kris@stsabinaparish.org

Maria’s responsibilities include:

• Conducting and coordinating the RCIA program and classes.
• Direct contact and resource for all things related to RCIA.
• Developing and implementing activities and classes designed to build up the faith life of adults in the parish.
• Assessing the needs of parish adults for spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and religious growth.

Maria has been in parish ministry for the past 8 years as a Pastoral Associate including Music & Liturgy at Nativity of Mary Parish in Independence, MO. Maria currently teaches theology at Notre Dame de Sion High School, where she is an alumna. She is excited to teach RCIA classes at St. Sabina and looks forward to getting to know the parish community! Maria holds a Masters of Divinity from Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary.

You can reach Maria at maria@stsabinaparish.org. 

Susan’s responsibilities include:

• • Coordinating music and musicians for parish liturgies (weekend Masses, weddings, funerals, & other special liturgies)
  • Directing the 10:30 choir and hand chime choir and continuing education for music ministers
  • Music administrative dutiesSusan became a member of St. Sabina parish in 1991 and worked here as director of music and liturgy from 1993 to 2005. She returned to St. Sabina in August of 2014. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education from UMKC and a Master of Arts in Music from UCM.

You can reach Susan at 816-979-3158.

Kirstie’s responsibilities include:

• Coordinating the Parish School of Religion (PSR) and Vacation Bible School, as well as Youth Ministry
• Coordinating community service opportunities for youth including Christmas in October, Harvesters and Project Uplift
• She is also our Safe Environment Coordinator

Kirstie has worked for St. Sabina since 1998. She is daughter of parishioners Jim and Nancy Ruffini. Kirstie studied at Avila University where she earned her degrees in English and Secondary Education.

You can reach Kirstie at 816-979-3155.

• Assist DRE in planning and implementation of Confirmation events and activities
• Assist DRE in planning and implementation of Junior High Youth Group events and activities
• Assist DRE in planning and implementation of High School Youth Group events and activities

Kristin and her family have been parishioners of St. Sabina since 2016. She has helped plan, coordinate and execute our parish VBS since 2018.

Jeff’s responsibilities include:

• Handling the day-to-day accounting duties
• Making and recording deposits
• Tracking and paying invoices
• Preparing monthly and quarterly financial statements
• Preparing the annual budget
• Meeting with the Finance Council quarterly
• Recording parishioner contributions
• Preparing annual contribution statements

Jeff is son of parishioners John and Kathy Shields, and has been a parishioner at St. Sabina since as long as he can remember. He has worked for St. Sabina since December 2013 but has volunteered in Youth Ministry since 2007. Jeff graduated from UMKC with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

You can reach Jeff at 816-979-3152.

Tracy handles all things maintenance!

Tracy completed the RCIA program at St. Sabina in 2014. He began working for St. Sabina in October 2013.

Berenice’s responsibilities include:

•  Working with ministry leaders, helping them with their ministry needs
•  Working with the Hispanic committee to plan special events (Guadalupe, Tres Reyes, Las Posadas, Annual Fundraiser, other celebrations that fit the needs of the parish and Hispanic community.
•  Scheduling liturgical training, in Spanish, annually after Easter
•  Working with the training team to implement trainings in Spanish for:
  • Eucharistic Ministers
  • Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick and Homebound
  • Lectors
  • Altar Servers
  • Quinceañera Workshop

Berenice is from Honduras. She became a member of St. Sabina Parish in 2008 and works here in Family Life and Hispanic Ministry. She holds a Marketing Degree from a Honduras University. You can reach Berenice at 816-979-3150.