Our Pastors, Staff and Leadership Team
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me? “He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” John 21:16
Our Pastoral Staff
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Fr Don Farnan
Pastor
Don Farnan was born on August 17, 1959, near Richmond, Missouri, the seventh
of eleven children born to C. A. and Helen (Spire) Farnan. He graduated from
Rockhurst College, Kansas City, in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Psychology and Secondary Education and received a Master of Divinity degree
from The University of Saint Mary of the Lake—Mundelein Seminary, Chicago,
and Master of Christian Spirituality degree from Creighton University, Omaha. He
was ordained to the priesthood on June 13, 1987, for the Diocese of Kansas City-
Saint Joseph. He served as parochial vicar at Visitation Parish (1987-92), pastor of
Saint Therese Little Flower and Saint Louis Parishes (1992-2001), Saint John
Lalande (2001-2006), Saint Thomas More (2006-2016), and Saint Charles
Borromeo (2016-2022). He is currently part of the Rockhurst University Mission
and Ministry team while taking a pastoral role at Saint James and Little Flower
Parishes in the heart of Kansas City.
He has also served in diocesan positions:
Director of Vocations (1991-96), Director of Priest Personnel (2005-2013), and the
College of Consultors (2004-2014). In the mid-90s he established The Upper
Room, a nondenominational inner city literacy program for youth and their
families; and he has served on the board of directors of numerous educational
and service institutions in and around the Kansas City area.
His writings include
At the Crossroads of Hope: A priest’s inner (city) journey, This Bold Prayer: A
collection of spiritual essays, and A Parish for All Seasons: A year in the life of
Saint Thomas More School.
Fr. Garry Richmeier CPPS
Pastor
“Serving as sacramental minister at St. James for the last 20 years has been a great joy for me, and I am proud to call St. James my parish home.”
Fr. Garry Richmeier CPPS has been a member of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood since joining the religious order in 1982 and being ordained in 1983. Fr. Garry served as Associate Pastor in various parishes in the Midwest, until becoming Director of Formation for the Order’s college seminarians in Kansas City in 1991. Fr. Garry’s close relationship with St. James goes back more than 20 years. Most recently, in May of 2019, his religious community elected Fr. Garry their Provincial (i.e., leader). He has been practicing for 25 years as a Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor.
Our Parish Staff
Please use the contact form at the bottom of the page to send a message to those that do not have direct contact links under their profile.
Ben Babaran, Parish Administrator
Ben came to this country in 1988 as a Filipino immigrant, and became a citizen five years later. Ben describes his experience: “The opportunities afforded by my adopted country were numerous for an immigrant from a third world country.” Those opportunities led Ben to hold roles in the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph as business manager, Faith Formation Director, Director of R.C.I.A and/or Director of Generations of Faith. When asked about his role at St. James, where he has been Parish Administrator since 2015, Ben declares, “It is a great honor and privilege to serve St. James Kansas City, her parishioners, and those she serves in Midtown KC. St. James, by celebrating the Sacraments and acting on her mission as One Family, reminds me of my home and family in the Philippines where all are welcome!”
Robert Basolo, Music Minister
Robert has been making music at St. James since 1989, when he started as an accompanist, and is now Director of Music Ministry. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from UMKC’s Conservatory of Music where he studied piano performance with the late Richard Cass. Robert is a proud supporter of the Music on Troost series, and enjoys a wide variety of musical genres. He proclaims music to be the “ultimate therapy.”
Fiona Schulte, Youth Minister
St. James Youth Ministry welcomes a new youth minister, Fiona Schulte!
Hello, I was born in Nigeria and grew up in Kansas City – here in our very own Midtown. I attended Lincoln College Prep High School, Penn Valley Community College, and MIZZOU. After graduation, I worked in research labs, pharmacy, and other areas in healthcare and now working in healthcare as a nurse in a local hospital. I’ve been a member of St. James Catholic Church for more than 5 years, and I genuinely love our parish! I have a deep respect and gratitude for the diverse community at St. James, warm and welcoming hearts towards our parish members, and the neighboring and international community. I aim to involve more youth in our congregation to encourage the upcoming generation towards the Catholic faith. In my free time, I spend time with my 8 month old baby, husband, and dog, usually relaxing with a warm cup of cocoa. I also enjoy reading, gardening, and spending time in nature. It is an honor to work as St. James Youth Minister, and I look forward to serving our community.
If you or anyone you know would like to join the Youth Ministry, please reach out to our St. James Youth Ministry with St. James Parish by calling or emailing the parish.
Beaurina Olter, Bookkeeper/Secretary
Beaurina and her beautiful family came to St. James as the result of a close relationship with Deacon Ross Beaudoin, whom she describes as “…my good friend and a father figure to me.” She, her husband Cooper, and their six children (4 boys and 2 girls) have been parishioners since 2010. Beaurina loves the sense of community she feels at St. James (“St. James is my second home and family.”), and she is honored to be the bridge between St. James and her Micronesian community.
Our Leadership Team
The Leadership Team represents the people of the parish and provides the framework for collaborative, transparent, and inclusive participation for all parish areas of interest.
Please use the contact form at the bottom of the page to send a message to those that do not have direct contact links under their profile.
Bob Anderson
Together with his wife Connie, Bob joined St. James at the encouragement of friends, and has been on the Leadership Team since 2019. Bob became interested in the Church’s liturgy in high school and has continued to read and learn about it throughout his adult life. Bob is retired from a 43-year career in teaching, having spent the major portion of his time working with gifted students. Bob and Connie have been married since 1971 and have 3 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and 7 grandchildren. His favorite thing about St. James is “the joyful participation of the community in our worship.”
Reba S. Burgess
With our mother, Albertine Cann, we all joined St. James over 50 years ago with a family of 12 children – 7 girls and 5 boys. I have 3 boys and 3 girls, 2 daughters-in-law, 17 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. St. James is my second family. I just love coming here.
Dan has been a part of the St. James community since 1996, all because he wanted to get to know a cute girl who attended Saturday afternoon mass a little better. She made him sit in the second row, right behind Sister Anne and near Robert on the piano. A couple of years later, Dan married the cute girl (yes, it was Sarah) at St. James, and then we raised 3 children (Eleanor, Kate and Leo) – with Sister Anne and Robert as the godparents of the oldest, Eleanor.
Presly Silbanuz
Pohnpeian
Ngei ei kisin peneinei tik towehda st.James sounpar pahiu (4) samwalahr o sang Ni kempoakepaht kan oh peneinei kan ahr kin kosoia duwen st.james me kalaudehla aht ineng en towehla st. James. Aht tungoal kohwa ser riemen me laud serepein Morena Rose Oh Omar Lou . Aleina Rose wia aht tungoal seri kahlap . Altero (jro) Joseph aht tungola son in law.
Philomena Odu
Sr. Francis Voivedich, CSJ