Parish Staff

Pastor

Very Rev. Shoby M. Chettiyath JCL V.G.

Very Rev. Shoby M. Chettiyath celebrated 18 years of priesthood in 2024 and became the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in 2025. Originally from India, Father Shoby, as he is known, did pastorial ministry in India and Brazil before immigrating to the United States in 2011 when he joined the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. In addition to being assigned to our parish he is also the Vicar General of the Diocese.

Parochial Vicar

Reverend Vineesh Jose Tharayil, OSB, PhD

vineesh@dioscg.org

Reverend Vineesh Jose Tharayil, O.S.B., celebrated the 10th anniversary of his priestly ordination in 2026. Originally from India, he served in various pastoral, educational, and administrative ministries, as well as a coach and sports director, before coming to the United States in 2024 to serve in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. These experiences strengthened his commitment to accompanying people in their faith journey and forming young people through faith, education, and athletics. In 2025, he was appointed Associate Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

With a lifelong passion for sports and education, Fr. Vineesh earned a Ph.D. in Physical Education. His background in athletics continues to enrich his ministry, emphasizing the values of teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and community.

As a member of the Vallombrosan Benedictine tradition, Fr. Vineesh embraces the Benedictine values of prayer, hospitality, humility, and service. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve the faithful of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau and to accompany parishioners in their journey of faith.

Deacon & Director of Religious Education

Deacon Gary Steffes

dre@stfrancisnixa.org

Deacon Gary Steffes was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 2013 in the Diocese of Jefferson City. After first serving at St. Pius X Parish, Moberly, he and his wife Joy moved to Nixa where Bishop Edward Rice assigned him to St. Francis on September 1, 2017. For more than three decades, Deacon Gary was Chief Financial Officer of Moberly Area Community College. He and Joy enjoy time with their three children and eight grandchildren.

Office Manager

Rachel Sutter

office@stfrancisnixa.org

Rachel has been connected to St. Francis since its beginning. As the daughter of Mark and Regina Schweiss, who helped establish the parish in 2004, St. Francis has always held a special place in her heart.

In 2013, Rachel married her husband, Adam, and they moved to Georgia while he served in the United States Army. After his medical retirement in 2015, they returned home to Missouri with their two daughters, Ava and Zoe, to be closer to family.

Rachel loves serving the parish as Office Manager and enjoys getting to know the wonderful people who make St. Francis such a special community. When she's not in the office, you'll likely find her spending time with her family, relaxing by the pool, kayaking local rivers, or enjoying the outdoors.

Music Director

Debbie Durham

music@stfrancisnixa.org

Involved in music ministry since age nine, Debbie Durham has been a music leader in several parishes in Iowa and Missouri and has served as music director at St. Francis of Assisi (SFA) since its founding in 2004. Debbie holds a BS degree in Speech and Hearing Science and an MA degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Iowa (UI). She grew up on a dairy farm in Bernard, IA, and worked in Iowa City, IA, as managing editor of a medical journal as well as various public relations positions for both the UI and UI Foundation for nearly 20 years. Since moving to Nixa in 2001, Debbie has volunteered for many community needs, including co-chairing bond issue campaigns for Nixa Public Schools and serving as a catechist and youth program director at SFA. Debbie, her husband, Paul, and their family are founding members of SFA parish.

OCIA Coordinator

Edmond Carpio

office@stfrancisnixa.org

Originally from New York City, Ed is a proud U.S. Army veteran and an alumnus of Catholic schools from elementary through college. He currently works at O'Reilly Auto Parts, where he leads software engineering teams in his role within Information Technology.

Ed is deeply committed to serving his faith community, and he actively participates in several parish ministries, including Mass readings, serving as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, offering his time through the Ministry of Care, and formerly leading a Parish School of Religion (PSR) class. Ed is eager to contribute his skills and vision to OCIA. His goal is to help foster the continued growth of the parish and to ensure the Church remains a vibrant and welcoming place for future generations. He is supported in his journey by his wife, Kendra, and their daughter, Ellie.

Youth Minister

Sabrina Bennink

ym@stfrancisnixa.org

I grew up in Clever, MO. So I am very familiar with the Southwest Missouri area. I am married to my husband Tyler and we have one daughter, Olive. I was baptized Catholic and finished receiving my sacraments through RCIA in 2021. I am so incredibly honored to be working with the youth of our wonderful parish! My ultimate goal as youth minister is to have your children develop a closer relationship with our Lord, Jesus, and teach them all that our beautiful faith has to offer them and those around us!

Custodian

Randie Sehie

office@stfrancisnixa.org

Randy Sehie is a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Randy is an active parish member and provides stewardship assistance weekly for mass and facility needs.

SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS

All parishioners are encouraged to share their time and talents to support and grow our parish community.

The list of volunteers is countless, but to highlight a few:
Youth Director: Deacon Gary Steffes
Liturgical Decorating Coordinator: Debbie Harris
Technology Adminstrator: John Rispoli
Web Administrator: Janet Morehead (webmaster@stfrancisnixa.org)

Three Advisory Councils made up of parishioners act as consulting bodies to our Pastor:
Parish Pastoral Council
Finance Council
Stewardship Council