Stephen Berenato

Stephen Berenato grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the youngest of (9) children, where beyond family, friends, food and the beach, life centered on music and the church. Music included The Great American Songbook imparted by his virtuoso jazz guitarist Uncle Frank, folk music from his brother Dan’s guitar, participation in local professional musical theatre and liturgical music. Church was (3) blocks from home where he served as acolyte and sang in the children’s choir.

Steve was educated in the church, receiving early education from Salesian and Dominican Sisters, high school and undergraduate education from the Oblates of St. Francis deSales and was an Oblate postulant living in community at Brisson Seminary while attending college. He earned his BA in Theatre from deSales University.

As a high school student Steve began a Broadcasting apprenticeship at an ABC news affiliate in Southwest Florida. After college he briefly continued apprenticeship at ABC in New York City prior to transitioning to Broadcast Systems Integration. For the following (25) years he installed and oversaw the installation of production technology at sites nationwide - notably here in San Francisco for the San Francisco Giants, Dolby Laboratories, and KQED’s NPR and PBS affiliates.

Steve is a jazz devotee and ever-inspired by “good preachin’”. He has been a devotee of American mystic Thomas Merton since adolescence after being gifted The Seven Story Mountain (Merton, aka, the jazz monk, called John Coltrane’s music “shattering” and “prophetic”). So it made sense (6) years ago after being brought to tears by a sermon from Pastor Wanika for Steve to join the Coltrane Church. He has since joined the Voices of Compassion, finding new beauty each week in the Orthodox mass set to St. John Coltrane’s music. Now he proclaims during the Liturgy of the Word. Following ordination he anticipates discerning ministry beyond the Liturgy.

Steve is father to Sam, Luke, Aaron and Tessa

Steve is partner to Elizabeth