Rev. Dr. (Bishop) James Wm. Steele Curriculum Vitae’(CV)

2016 - Presently

Consecrated Bishop in Christian Orthodox / Catholic Faith As Bishop / Ordained Minister, it allows me to hold the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders & being responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Congregants in my jurisdiction, sanctifying the world and representing the Church. In the Orthodox Church, there are moments when GOD’s presence and actions feel more pronounced. We call these events the Holy Mysteries, or Sacraments, revealing GOD to us, as well as, making us receptive to Him.

Senior News - August 2016

In the midst of Spring Valley Lake (SVL), a “Jewel of the High Desert”, we cordially welcome Rev. Dr. James Steele and beautiful wife, Maria Magdalena, who moved to the High Desert Community 7 months ago. From Rev. Dr. Steele’s Missiological Scholar’s Lens, SVL is a majestic and picturesque, colorful kaleidoscope landscape. Rev. Dr. Steele was recently consecrated a Bishop on Sunday, 6/19/2016 (Father’s Day), at the Holy Apostle Cathedral in San Gabriel, by Archbishop John Robert G. Collier, and is part of the Orthodox Catholic Tradition / American Catholic Church US (ACCUS); the Order of Caring Chaplains (OCC); and Christ Church San Gabriel (CCSG); but is simply known to the Spring Valley Lake (SVL) neighborhood & the High Desert Community as “Fr. James.”

Fr. James’ insight and perspective on the SVL Community is that it is like: “The 19th century golden age of landscape painting, with three aesthetic concepts established during that Romantic era, dividing the natural world into categories: (1). the Pastoral, (2). the Picturesque, and (3). the Sublime. The first two represent Nature as a comforting source of physical & spiritual sustenance. The last, as articulated by Edmund Burke I, and his Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful (1757), refers to the thrill and danger of confronting untamed Nature and its overwhelming forces, such as thunderstorms, earthquakes and deep chasms. Whereas, the Pastoral and Picturesque reference mankind’s ability to control the natural world, the Sublime is a humbling reminder that humanity is not all-powerful, yet humanity is extremely challenging at times, not so different than the dynamics within SVL” (by Fr. James & Lauren Rabb).

Fr. James brings to the SVL Community, a wealth of wisdom, knowledge and understanding to this diverse neighborhood, but more importantly as GOD’s servant providing the following recent licensed skills / certificates: Mental Health First Aid; Adult First Aid / CPR; and Disaster Chaplaincy – Spiritual Care, Field Operations, Disaster mental Health and Self Care; including: (1) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – Critical Infrastructure Key Resources Awareness Course, and Protective Measures; (2) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Incident Command System (ICS-100), Single Resources & Initial Action Incident (ICS-200), National Incident Management System (NIMS – IS 700), and National Response Framework (IS 800). In terms of Emergency Disaster Preparedness, Fr. James, has the following CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) certification from (a) Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD); (b) Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD); and the Los Angeles Sheriff Department (LASD); enhanced by his telecommunication skills and FCC Amateur Radio Licenses: Technician, General & Extra, with his CALL SIGN being KK6POB, as well as, having VE Credentials by American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Group (GLAARG). Fr. James also belongs to a number of Amateur Radio Clubs: Pasadena Radio Club (PRC); Desert Radio Amateur Transmitting Society (D-RATS); Golden Triangle Amateur Radio Club (GTARC), etc.; as well as some SVL Clubs: Yacht Club, SVLARC (Radio Club), & attends the Coffee Break Social Club of SVL.

Fr. James is also President / CEO of Mysteries Of Spiritual Awareness In Communities MOSAIC, Inc., which is Nationally, Statewide & Locally recognized, known for its tremendous community outreach endeavors and initiatives, so much so, has received Certificates of Recognition from FEMA – Dr. Jannah Scott; U. S. Congresswoman Judy Chu; State Controller John Chiang; State Congressman / LA City Councilmember Felipe Fuentes; LA City Mayor’s Eric Garcetti & Antonio Villaigosa; Alhambra City Mayor – Stephen Sham; City of Monterey Park City Council; City of Rosemead City Council; City of San Gabriel City Council, just to name a few.

Since Fr. James has been in the SVL Community, he has offered himself and expertise to numerous organizations, groups, clubs, businesses and institutions, such as providing an opening prayer at the most recent Victor Valley Board of Trustees Meeting, Tuesday, 6/14/16; has interacted with San Bernardino & Apple Valley Fire Department Chief’s & Local Division Chief’s; as well as, various High Desert City Government Officials, and will continue to pursue, assist and serve the “Whole Community” to make a positive impact and change for the future. It goes without saying, that Fr. James’ educational credentials are impeccable, as he brings with him creative ideas, action plans and solutions, stemming from all of his various degrees: a) DeVRY – BSc in Business Operations & Management; b) OTS – MTS in Master of Theology; C) OTS - MDiv in Master of Divinity; D) CTS - STM in Master of Sacred Theology in Missiology; and E) GTF - DMin in Pastoral Counselling.

For ALL of these reasons, spoken and unspoken, we sincerely welcome Bishop James and his wife Maria Magdalena to the High Desert / SVL Community, as definitely he will have a very positive, major impact on our communities and neighborhoods. As Fr. James further shares a unique MOSAIC & colorful kaleidoscope perspective through his Missiological Lens of the High Desert, he further emphasizes and informs us all of the fact that “pastoral landscapes celebrate the dominion of mankind over nature. The scenes are peaceful, often depicting ripe harvests, lovely gardens, and manicured lawns with broad vistas. Man has developed and tamed the landscape – it yields the necessities we need to live, as well as beauty and safety. The Picturesque — a category developed in the late 1700s by clergyman and artist William Gilpin — refers to the charm of discovering the landscape in its natural state. Gilpin encouraged his followers to engage in “picturesque travel” – the goal of which was to discover beauty created solely by Nature. The artist and the viewer delight in unspoiled panoramas: sunsets behind majestic mountains, an egret taking off from a quiet marsh, a deer bathed in a shaft of light in the woods. These scenes are uplifting, but not frightening.

Sublime images, on the other hand, show Nature at its most fearsome; in fact, Burke believed that “terror is in all cases… the ruling principle of the sublime.” There is an awe and reverence for the wild that to Burke was akin to violent passion. Humanity is small and impotent in front of raging rivers, dizzying cliffs and canyons, ferocious animals, and violent storms. These works can also be uplifting, but in a deeply spiritual way. The Sublime emphasizes God’s dominion over humanity and considers the possible folly in mankind’s overriding confidence.

These three competing ways of looking at Nature are relevant today. In the 21st century, we still debate humanity’s right to use the planet for only our own good. Global warming, mining rights, wildlife preservation and land use are all controversial issues. As you look at these 19th century landscapes, think about how artists over time have contributed to our view of the natural world and its significance in our lives, AMEN!!! In reality, this is the High Desert / SVL Community depicted through a Missiological Lens” (by Fr. James & Lauren Rabb). 

2009 – Presently

CEO and President of Mysteries Of Spiritual Awareness In Communities MOSAIC, Inc. which focuses on empowering individuals, families, caregivers, and is an “Integrated Collaborative Partnership” with various World Faith Groups (WFGs), to create recovery solutions, for those who are under-served, downtrodden, homeless, and are affected with challenging conditions (e.g., debilitating chronic-disease(s) such as HIV / AIDS, mental illness, and/or any disabilities).

2005 - 2008

Executive Manager: Service Solutions & Operations Mgr.@ Office Depot

As a Service Solutions Manager, it was ones job to solve any and all challenging customer issues and especially customer satisfaction, whereas, being the Operations Manager one provided leadership stability, supervision & direction to operational activities of staff, P & L Statement, LP Audit (Shrink), Sales & Payroll Forecast, all Financial Operations of the store, & enhancing store management team support, as well as all Manager On Duty (MOD) functions.

1998 - Presently

Ordained Priest in the Christian Orthodox / Catholic Faith

This establishes ones character of moral integrity, honesty, credibility and work ethic of giving it ones all, along with having an excellent relationship and knowledge of all Faith denominations / non-denominational and World Faith Groups (WFGs).

1977 - Presently

Missionary/Chaplain in Social Work & Community Outreach Ministries

This is the foundation for ones missiological mindset of interactively integrating multi-culturalism within today’s pluralistic society, in every decision made.  As a Filipino Missionary, my experience working with those with leprosy established a compassionate World Faith Groups (WFGs) outreach to those less-fortunate than ourselves.