Stephen Stewart: Chief Operations Officer

I am extremely excited to be serving at St. Raphael! After graduating from the University of Chicago MBA program, I began my career as a hospital CFO. I was privileged to help lead multiple healthcare organizations in finance and operations, both for-profit and non-profit.

Father Chris hired me in early 2023 as a CFO/COO at St. John parish, just as the Empower Illinois tax credit scholarship program for K-12 private school students was ending. With 40% of St. John students subsidized via the program, and a third of the school revenue disappearing, the impact was large. James 1:2 reads, “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” We worked like it all depended on us..and prayed like it depended upon Him; and our Lord answered. “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.” James 5:16. That new school year, enrollment increased 11% to a record high.

It is humbling to have been invited by Fr. Chris to accompany him to St. Raphael.

My wife, Hilda is the Spanish teacher at Sts. Peter and Paul. We have three children. Caleb Jeremiah graduated from Wheaton College ROTC program, made it through Ranger School, and became a Green Beret Capital. Rachel Miriam graduated from Olivet Nazarene University and is the Senior Analyst at an international manufacturing corporation. Rebekah Elizabeth graduated from Olivet, worked for a CPA firm, and is now the world’s best stay-at-home mom. We pumped as many Bible names into the three kids as we could, and they are all serving Christ. PTL!

What a privilege it is to use my God-given talents to help build His kingdom at St. Raphael.

Believing firmly in the power of prayer.