The Staff

Rev. Mark Schaffner, O.Carm
          Pastor
  

 

Office Manager 

 Jean Balmes

 Jean was  born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
She grew up in the suburbs south of Chicago and is a graduate of St. Francis Nursing School in Evanston, Illinois.
Jean began as a catechist in the religious education program at St. Raphael in 2001. She became a member of the staff in 2006  as the Coordinator of the Religious Education program at the church. In addition, she also worked as a registered nurse for a medical practice. In 2008 Jean became a fulltime employee at the church and is currently serving as the office manager. Jean lives in Englewood with her husband Jim and their son, Gregory.

 

Director of Music:  

Jeffrey Herbert

Jeffrey Herbert has served as the Director of Music at St. Raphael Catholic Church since 2014. Well known around the Suncoast as an organist and choral director, Jeffrey also leads the Bay Indies Chorus in Venice and serves as the Director of the Northport Chorale in North Port. Jeffrey began his studies in organ at age 14 with Leo Abbot, organist at Boston's Holy Cross Cathedral and continued on to receive is BMus from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA and an MMA in Organ/Music Theory from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1988. He achieved Colleague of the American Guild of Organists Certification (CAGO) in 1992 and Choir Master Certification (ChM) the following year. Jeffrey lives in Rotonda West with his wife Debi.

Accountant

Connie Flynn
 

Facilities Manager

Steve Varga

 Born                Cleveland, Ohio

College            University of Cincinnati       

In 1976, Steve moved to Hollywood, Florida, and parlayed his education into a successful career as a software developer.  Steve worked for several Florida Corporations on the east and gulf coasts.

 In 1990, Steve moved to Tampa in anticipation of his marriage to Gladys (and her two children). Steve operated his own software development corporation, Basic Support, Inc., from 1997-2004, telneting from his home, with clients in California, New Jersey and Florida.  Steve and Gladys moved to Englewood in 2002.  In 2004, Steve began working part time for St. Raphael Catholic Church, and as they say, the rest is history!

Maintenance/Custodial Services

 

Rodi Reyes Hernandez