What a blessing it is for me to be here at St. Robert Bellarmine. I look forward to becoming part of this family and getting to know you as we walk this journey of faith. Here is a short biography for you to help you to get to know me:

I was born in Atchison, Kansas and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri. I am the third of five children of Robert and Mary Rocha. My father passed away in 1983 and my mother in 2015. I was truly blessed to have grown up with hard-working parents who were very dedicated and loyal to the church and exemplified a hard work ethic to keep us in catholic schools. I attended St. Patrick Grade School and Bishop LeBlond High School. I grew up loving sports and played football at Bishop LeBlond High School and Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. I have a degree in Education at Missouri Western State College and received my Master's Degree in Education at Northwest Missouri State University.

I was truly blessed by being able to follow my dream of coaching football. I coached for 10 years on the high school level and 4 years on the college level. I served as an assistant coach at Bishop LeBlond HS, St. Joseph Benton HS, Northwest Missouri State, Southwestern College KS, and Benedictine College. I was a Head Football Coach at North Platte HS and Mt. Vernon HS.

In 1997 I entered Mundelein Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, and was ordained on June 1, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Parish in Kansas City, Missouri, by Bishop Raymond Boland. My parish assignments include; Associate Pastor at Visitation and St. Elizabeth. I have been an Administrator of St. Patrick (St. Joseph)/St. Joseph (Easton), St. Rose of Lima Parish (Savannah)/ St. Patrick Parish (Forest City). I served as Pastor at St. John Francis Regis, St. Matthew Apostle, Our Lady of Good Counsel, and Our Lady of Lourdes (Harrisonville)/Holy Trinity (Urich). I have also served as Secretary to the Bishop and Master of Ceremonies, Director of Vocations, and President of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School.

I am been very blessed to have been involved with the Knights of Columbus, where I served as Missouri District Friar from 2002-2004, and 2006-2010. I was the Missouri State Chaplain from 2004-2006. I am currently the Faithful Friar for the Fr. Bernard Donnelly Assembly. I also serve as the Catholic Chaplain for the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Police Department.

I look forward to this next chapter in my priesthood and to serve the people of St. Robert Bellarmine. May our Blessed Mother continue to keep us under her mantle of care. Our Lady Queen of Victory and St. Robert Bellarmine…Pray for us!

Deacon 

Deacon Doug Hemke
dcndoug@srbcatholic.org

Deacon Doug Hemke is our Deacon. He is responsible for assisting our Pastor at weekend Masses and periodically giving the Sermon. He also assists with other liturgical duties. 
 

Director of Religious Education

Susan Mantzey is our Director of Religious Education. She is responsible for our Parish School of Religion, First Communion and Reconciliation, Middle School of Religion, Come to Me Children’s Liturgy, Mass Servers, and is our safety coordinator.
 

Dale Harak is our Director of Music and our accompanist at Mass. He is responsible for music/liturgy planning, choir rehearsals, and for providing accompaniment for the weekend Masses and Holy Days.

Pastoral Associate 

Deacon Joseph Zagar
dcnjoe@srbcatholic.org

Business and Office Manager

Rena Espinosa is our Business/Office Manager. She is responsible for Mass intentions, parish registrations, hall rentals, finances, budget, and bulletin articles.

Parish Secretary/Ministry Associate

Debbie Gilbert
debbie@srbcatholic.org

Debbie Gilbert is our Parish Secretary/Ministry Associate.  


Building Manager

Jim Panus

Jim Panus is our Building Manager and he is responsible for the physical church building and grounds.