Spiritual Opportunities: Franciscan Spiritual Center

	Presenter Biographies

Carmel Boyle is a native of Monasterboice in the heart of Ireland's Boyne Valley. She is best known as a singer, songwriter and recording artist of spiritual songs. Through her creative reflective expression, she touches and stirs the heart and soul bringing peace and healing. Carmel is an experienced educator, retreat facilitator and spiritual guide.

Helen David Brancato, IHM, is a painter, printmaker and illustrator who has exhibited professionally in the Philadelphia and New York areas. Her work usually carries the themes of justice, peace, and homelessness. She has freelanced as an illustrator for Maryknoll magazine and Pax Christi USA as well as illustrating the Orbis publication, Walk with Jesus, in collaboration with Henri Nouwen and Why not Become Fire, with Evelyn Mattern. Her recent work with Evelyn Mattern is titled Ordinary Places/Sacred Spaces. Sr. Helen is a full time professor of art at Villanova University.

Helen Budzik, OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, ministers as both support staff in the Franciscan Spiritual Center and as Candidate Director for her congregation. She has served in elementary and secondary education and administration as well as in pastoral ministry. Her study and writing on Franciscan spirituality, as well as her theology and pastoral studies degrees, enrich her ministry as a certified spiritual director as well as a supervisor for spiritual directors at Neumann University.

Mary Craig, OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, has ministered in education for over 20 years. She presently serves as the novice minister for her congregation and works in the area of spirituality.

Clare D'Auria, OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, is an associate member of the Center. For almost half of her years in ministry, Clare has served in retreat ministry, offering directed and conference retreats and workshops in Franciscan spirituality. With an MA in Theological Studies from the Washington Theological Union, she is a certified spiritual director and supervisor for spiritual directors at Neumann University.

Eileen Flanagan, Ph.D., teaches in and coordinates Neumann University's Spiritual Direction Program. Her national and international research in the spirituality of Clare of Assisi examines the medieval, modern, and contemporary Poor Clare tradition.

Bernadette Kinniry, RSM, a Sister of Mercy of Merion, PA, is co-founder and program director of SILOAM in Philadelphia, PA, a Mind, Body, Spirit Wellness Center for the HIV/AIDS community. Before beginning her work at SILOAM in 1995, Bernadette served as directress of formation for her congregation. For over thirty years, she has ministered in a variety of capacities as educator, counselor and program administrator for adults and children.

Fr. Steve Kluge OFM, a Franciscan priest of the Holy Name Province, is an experienced educator and administrator. He has conducted retreats for various groups and currently ministers as pastor at St. Francis Parish, Long Beach Island, NJ.

John Kruse, Ph.D., is a historical theologian with experience in Franciscan spirituality and the office of the papacy. He is an Associate Professor of Theology at Neumann University where he has served since 2006.

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).

Fr. Philip Lowe, Ed. D., M.Div., a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, has served as Director of the Secondary Religious Education and Secondary Schools Staff Office of the Superintendent of Schools in the Office of Catholic Education as well as a high school principal. He now serves as Program Director of the Doctorate in Education program and in the Department of Education and Human Services, Graduate Education, at Neumann University.

Catherine Maguire, RSM, a Sister of Mercy, Merion, PA, has been ministering within the HIV/AIDS community for over 15 years. Both locally and nationally, she has facilitated numerous workshops and days of reflection, as well as providing spiritual direction and pastoral counseling for many persons infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. Cathy has also worked in vocation ministry and in prison ministry.

James Martin, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, author and culture editor of America, the Catholic weekly magazine. Fr. Martin is the author of several books including the New York Times bestseller, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality of Real Life and My Life with the Saints. He is a frequent commentator in the national and international media, and his writing has appeared in such places as The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Wall Street Journal, as well as on websites like Slate.com and Huffington Post. Fr. Martin has appeared on all the major networks and in venues as diverse as the BBC, Vatican Radio, the History Channel, NPR's "Fresh Air with Terry Gross," Fox-TV's "The O'Reilly Factor" and Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report."

Marie Angela Presenza, OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, presently ministers as Program Coordinator of the Franciscan Spiritual Center. She has extensive professional experience as an educator and administrator and has been involved in various programs at parishes in which she ministered.

Marge Richards is the founder of The Awareness Group, dedicated to raising consciousness through the understanding of how homes and workplaces affect behavior. She is the originator of "The Awareness Salon." Marge is a Certified Authentic Happiness Coach, retreat facilitator, and Green Design speaker. She was the former executive VP of Meyer Design, Inc. Marge is currently on the Advisory Board of the Franciscan Spiritual Center, and the founder of a volunteer initiative called Inspiring Beauty.

Jean Ustasiewski, OSF is a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia who serves on the Franciscan Spiritual Center staff. Before coming to the Center, Jean served the congregation for six years as the director of its associate program. Previous to this ministry, Jean served as a pastoral counselor and as a high school guidance counselor.

Christopher Marie Wagner, OSF, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, is a stained-glass artist and restorer with a studio on the grounds of Our Lady of Angels Convent. Sr. Chris taught visual arts at Neumann University. Since 1999, she has been studying iconography and has written over twenty-four icons. She is also director of The Brown Bag: a Franciscan Community for the Arts, editing its newsletter and organizing its annual gatherings. For the past two years, Chris has directed icon writing workshops at Springbank Retreat in South Carolina.

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.

Maryanne Williams has been a Yoga practitioner for over 40 years. 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.

Rooted in the Gospel. . . we welcome all as sister and brother.

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