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          Presenter
        Biographies

Andrea Likovich OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, is presently music and liturgy coordinator for Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston, Pennsylvania. Having degrees in music and theology, she has ministered in education at all levels and has served as liturgist in parishes and retreat centers as well as the program coordinator for the Franciscan Spiritual Center for over two years. Andrea has published two recordings of original music, Songrise (1990) and Greater Than Our Hearts (2001).

 

Anne Amati OSF is a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia who has ministered for many years in the Franciscan world as a retreat director, workshop presenter, facilitator, and theological reflector for various religious congregations, parishes, schools, dioceses, and hospitals throughout the country. Anne served for 15 years as a staff member of the Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs, leading, facilitating, lecturing, and celebrating with groups of pilgrims in Italy. Presently Anne is an associate staff member of the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston, PA.

 

Antonia Cooper OSF, a Franciscan Servant of the Holy Child Jesus, is an artist, iconographer, spiritual director, Reiki Master and accredited instructor of T'ai Chi Chih.  She is currently on the Regional Leadership Team of her congregation.  She offers workshops, retreats, conferences, and programs both nationally and internationally in an effort to present a holistic approach to life and health, reuniting body, mind, and spirit.

 

Bernadette Kinniry RSM, a Sister of Mercy of Merion, PA, is co-founder and program director at Siloam Ministries in Philadelphia, PA, a spiritual healing ministry for the HIV/AIDS community. Before beginning her work at Siloam in 1995, Bernadette served as directress of formation for her congregation. For nearly thirty years, she has ministered in a variety of capacities as educator, counselor, and program administrator for adults and children.

 

Cathy Maguire RSM, a Sister of Mercy, Merion, PA, is Associate Executive Director of Siloam in Philadelphia, a ministry focusing on spirituality for wellness in the HIV/AIDS community. Cathy is trained in the area of pastoral ministry and spirituality and, in the past, has worked in vocation ministry and in prison ministry. For many years she has been involved in the HIV/AIDS community in the areas of retreat work, counseling, and spiritual direction.

 

Helen Budzik OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, is the Administrative Assistant of the Franciscan Spiritual Center. Her previous ministry has included both teaching and educational administration as well as parish ministry focusing on adult education and faith formation.  Her study and writing on both St. Clare of Assisi and Franciscan solitude, as well as her Masters degrees in theology and pastoral studies , enrich her ministry as a certified spiritual director at the Center and as a supervisor for spiritual directors at Neumann College, Aston, PA.

 

Jan Michael Joncas was ordained in 1980 as a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN. Jan Michael serves as Associate Professor of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He holds degrees in English form the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul and Liturgical Studies from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, and the Pontificio Instituto Liturgico of the Ateneo S. Anselmo in Rome. Fr. Joncas has served as a parochial vicar, a campus minister, and pastor. He is the author of three books and over one hundred articles and reviews in journals such as Worship, Ecclesia Orans, and Questions Liturgiques. He has composed and arranged over 220 pieces of liturgical music.

 

Jean Ustasiewski OSF is a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia who ministers part time on the Franciscan Spiritual Center staff.  Before coming to the Center, Jean served the congregation for six years as the director of Franciscan Companions in Mission and has ministered as a pastoral counselor and a high school guidance counselor. 

 

John Malich FMS has a degree in Theology and Biblical Spirituality from Catholic University of America and completed advanced studies at the University of Notre Dame.  He has served his congregation, the Marist Brothers of the Schools, as Director of Novices, Formation Director of two USA Provinces, Assistant Provincial, and Provincial.  For more than thirty-five years John has been involved in formation and renewal ministry in the United States as well as in Europe and Canada, offering preached and directed retreats and workshops on issues of religious life.

 

Jude Michael Krill OFM Conv. is a Conventual Franciscan who has serviced in various ministries throughout his 30 years as a friar.  Jude presently ministers at Neumann College, Aston, PA, as instructor of English and Theology.  He also serves as Chaplain for the college community.

 

Julia Keegan OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, ministers full time in the Franciscan Ministries Foundation. Julia has taught nursing for many years and served in clinical and managerial roles in health care ministries. She has offered programs on inner healing, bioethics, values clarification, managerial skills and Franciscan spirituality.

 

Julie McCole OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, ministers as Director of Anna’s Place in Chester, PA. She has served as Director of Formation for the Sisters of St. Francis and as Associate Director for Programs and Services at Sangre de Cristo Center in Santa Fe, NM. Julie is an experienced, certified spiritual director and a certified life consultant.

 

Macrina Wiederkehr OSB is a Benedictine Sister from St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Monastic spirituality has had a great influence in her writing and retreat ministry. In her retreats she attempts to lead seekers on a contemplative path away from wordiness, into the space between the words where silence and solitude make their home. She loves to write and has authored seven books. Her latest book is Seven Sacred Pauses: living mindfully through the hours. Although her academic background is in elementary and religious education, she claims that her best learning flows from the wisdom school of daily life. Her finest teachers are her daily companions and the larger global community.

 

Margaret Mary Lewis OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, currently ministers as Coordinator of Donor Development at The Catholic High School of Baltimore. Margaret’s past experience includes several years as Clinical Laboratory Director at St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington, Clinical Laboratory Manager and Director of Medical Technology Education at St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, Professor and Program Director of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Neumann College, Aston, PA, Vice President, General Services of St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington and Pastoral Care and Patient Information Services at St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson, MD. She holds a BS from Villanova University, an MA from the College of New Jersey, and PhD from the Catholic University of America.

 

Margie Winters is the Director of Religious Education at Waldron Mercy Academy, Merion, PA.  In addition to her years as an educator on the elementary and high school levels, she has ministered as a nurse with the homeless.

 

Marie Blessington, RN joined Bayada Nurses in 1992 where she worked for the Hackensack office as a Pediatric and Adult Nursing Supervisor for eight years. Marie joined the Nursing Department in 1994 assisting with QA and clinical support. Presently, Marie is the Director of Clinical Leadership Development. Her responsibilities include managing the Nursing Supervisor Mentoring program and managing ongoing educational programs for all Clinical Leaders at Bayada Nurses. Marie is also a caregiver.

 

Marilyn Sweeney MHA, RN, CRRN has been in the field of nursing since 1975. During her 33 year career as a nurse, Marilyn had the privilege of working in many health care settings: acute care hospitals, dialysis units, case management, rehabilitation hospitals and home care. Each of these experiences has given her a true appreciation for patient care. Marilyn holds a BS in Nursing from the Stockton State College in Pomona, NJ and an MA in Health Administration from St. Joseph University, Philadelphia, PA.

 

Mary Beth Antonelli OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, presently serves as the Vocation Director for her congregation. She has ministered in the health care field for the past 24 years as a registered nurse in various health care ministries. Mary Beth has a BS in Nursing from Gwynedd Mercy College.

 

Mary Griffin OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, holds an MA in education from Lewis and Clark College.  She is a veteran educator and has many years experience as an elementary teacher.  Mary is an accredited instructor of T'ai Chi Chih and Seijaku.

 

Mary Killoran OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, presently serves as a spiritual director in the Wilmington/Delaware County area.  Mary also coordinates the Alternatives to Violence Program at two state prisons and teaches Bible Study at a women's prison.  Mary has ministered as a teacher and pastoral associate, as well as in congregational leadership.  She completed the Associates program for spiritual direction at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, PA.

 

Mary Walsh OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, serves as an associate staff member at the Franciscan Spiritual Center. Her ministry includes spiritual direction, retreats, and workshops in bio-spiritual focusing and holistic spirituality. She is certified as a Spiritual Director and as a Focuser Trainer.

 

Mary Lou Pappolla, a Franciscan Companion in Mission, is a social worker for the Burn Center of Crozer-Chester Medical Center. Mary Lou began the Hospice Program at Delaware County Memorial Hospital and is co-facilitator of a bereavement support group and a cancer support group.

 

Maryanne Williams has been a Yoga practitioner for 37 years. She is the current President of the Arden Yoga Group. She has taught yoga in the Wellness Programs of St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington, the Adult Programs for New Castle County Parks and Recreation, and in Wellness programs offered through large corporations throughout northern Delaware.

 

Mercedes Rojo OSF is a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia who has ministered as an educator, retreat facilitator, and spiritual director. Mercedes holds master’s degrees in Education and Pastoral Counseling as well as a certificate in Spiritual Direction. She presently works as a psychotherapist in a mental health clinic.

 

Michael Calabria OFM teaches Arabic and Islamic Studies at St. Bonaventure University. Michael has lived and ministered in Egypt, and has traveled extensively in Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey. He is well versed in German, French, Spanish, Modern Standard Arabic and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic. Michael earned a BA in Near Eastern Studies from Johns Hopkins University, an MA in Egyptology from Brown University, an MA in Library Science from Colombia University, and an MA of Divinity/Theology from Washington Theological Union. He presently teaches at St. Bonaventure University.

 

Michael Laratonda FMS, a Marist Brother, served as associate director of Wellsprings.  An experienced spiritual director and administrator, Michael has offered numerous workshops in journaling, dreams, prayer, sexuality, intimacy and celibacy.  Michael is involved in retreat work and spiritual direction.

 

Patricia Smith OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, is an assistant professor at Neumann College, Aston, PA. Prior to this, Pat was engaged in congregational leadership and parish ministry. She holds a BA from Neumann College, has an MA in theology from St. Bonaventure University, as well as licentiate and doctoral degrees from St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. Pat also does stand-up comedy.

 

Patricia Mary Walsh OP is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, New York and she is the foundress and administrator of Emmaus House, Inc., a wholistic center which provides care for women religious. Pat has extensive professional experience in various levels of education, administration and counseling and she has been a consultant to religious congregations in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.

 

Ray Dlugos OSA, an Augustinian Friar of the Villanova Province, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Southdown Institute, a residential treatment center in Aurora, Onatrio, Canada. Ray ministered for many years as a high school teacher, parish priest, and Director of Vocations for his community. Ray has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Albany State of New York. Ray has presented workshops on various topics across North America.

 

Rea McDonnell SSND is a School Sister of Notre Dame. She currently ministers as a spiritual director in Silver Spring, Maryland. Rea has a Ph.D. in Scripture and is a certified pastoral counselor. She has written 13 books, over 70 articles and homily helps. Her daily scripture reflections are posted on our website.

 

Steven Kluge OFM was ordained in 2001 and graduated from the Washington Theological Union that same year. He also holds a BS in Elementary Education from St. Francis University in Loretto, PA. Steve taught at the elementary level for several years prior to his ordination. He has conducted retreats for various groups and currently ministers as pastor at St. Francis Parish, Long Beach Island, NJ.

 

Theresa Yanda OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, has ministered to Seniors in her congregation and in parishes for the last 20 years. Currently an associate member of the Franciscan Spiritual Center, Aston, PA, Theresa continues to develop programs for Seniors and is always interested in knowing what interests them.

 

Thomas Hartle OFM is a member of the Friars Minor of Holy Name Province. Currently involved in parochial ministry, Tom has for many years, been involved in retreat ministry and spiritual direction. He also served as religious assistant to the Holy Name Federation of Poor Clares.

 

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