text:
The Ordained Members
Statement on Apostolic Succession
|Judy Beaumont has led her entire life in service to God's people. She entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago at seventeen and remained a Benedictine in loving service for 35 years. She was a teacher, director of religious education, refugee worker resettling Vietnamese refugees and a peace activist. She attained a bachelor's degree from Mundelein College and a MRE degree from Loyola University. In 1981 she left Chicago for Connecticut to participate in the anti-nuclear peace movement near Groton and in 1982 was a member of the Trident Nein Plowshares Action. When released from prison she also helped establish My Sisters' Place, a shelter for homeless women and children in Hartford. She and Judy Lee, (also a Roman Catholic womenpriest) and her partner in ministry and life since 1989, left Connecticut for Fort Myers Florida in 1998. Judy then began work in a mission parish and later served as Director of Faith Formation for a large parish. In 2003, she helped establish Good Shepherd Ministries of SW Florida and continues to serve the poor and homeless of greater Fort Myers. She serves the Church of the Good Shepherd: An Inclusive Catholic Community and is active with the local chapter of Call to Action.
|Kathleen Bellefeuille-Rice has felt called to the priesthood since she was seven years old. She received her early formation in radical Catholicism from being a Catholic Worker, from working in her large vegetable garden, and from raising her two children. Years of training as a catechist, specializing in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, strengthened her love of scripture, liturgy, sacraments, and celebration. In 2013 she received her Masters in Religious Education from Graduate Theological Foundation. Currently, she is with Holy Wisdom Inclusive Catholic Community in Olympia, WA. She spends her free time doing foot care with the homeless, cooking dinners at a local soup kitchen, and hanging out with her husband Dave.
|Geneviève Beney was born in Paris (France) in 1949. In past she was in charge of cultural and sports activities (secondary school). She had theological diploma of Strasbourg University. She married Albert Ratz in 1989 (widowed who has three children and six grandchildren and one great- grandchild). Geneviève shared Albert's retired activities: archeology, historical research (local area). She was ordained as deacon in 2004 on the Danube River and as priest in June 2005 on Rhône and Saône in Lyon with great Albert's support although he was Protestant (Reformed Church). Albert died recently in November 2010. Two charisma of Geneviève: inventiveness (particularly dance) and listening attentively to people. She have responsibility of discernment about candidates for ordination in France. email: email@example.com
|Corene Besetzny "My journey toward priesthood has been life-long. After working in the Peace Corps in Liberia, West Africa, I completed graduate programs in teaching and anthropology. While raising my family of three adopted children, two from Korea and one from Honduras, I was active in parish ministry for many years in the areas of marriage preparation, family life, RCIA and social justice. During this time I was an active Lay Franciscan. More recently I received a Masters of Arts in Women's Studies: Religion, Theology, and Ministry from United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, MN. I completed a Spiritual Direction Preparation Program at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, WI. All these experiences have paved the way toward priesthood. Currently, I preside at worship at the Fairview Seminary Home in Red Wing, MN. I also assist at the House Masses in my community. I have been widowed for two years and now work at the Red Wing Health Center where I minister to the elderly. On April 15, 2012 I was ordained a Roman Catholic woman deacon in Indianapolis, IN."
|Beverly Bingle, after serial careers in teaching, politics, government, and business, served in Catholic parishes in Ohio and Michigan as a Pastoral Associate, Director of Religious Education, and Pastoral Assistant from 1991 until her retirement in 2011. Bev made private vows in 1989; she is an "urban hermit," striving to live out the Gospel mandates of frugality, celibacy, and service on a half-acre plot in Toledo's inner city. She aims at becoming a "locavore," sharing the produce of her large garden, flock of Barred Rock chickens, and beehive with friends and neighbors. Bev holds a B.A. (The Ohio State University) and M.A. (Bowling Green State University) in English, an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry (Marygrove College) and a Doctor of Ministry (Ecumenical Theological Seminary). Bev was ordained a deacon in RCWP-USA in 2012. E-Mail: email@example.com
|Dagmar Braun Celeste, MA, in Theology and Addiction Counseling, BA in Women Studies and Public Policy, APP, is an experienced Life Balance coach. Her autobiography, We Can Do Together / Impressions Of A Recovering Feminist First Lady was published by Kent State University Press, 2002. She was a board member of the Women's Ordination Conference and Mary's Pence, First Lady of Ohio twenty years ago, taught at Kent State University and published numerous articles. She is active in the hospice movement and lives at "The Tyrian Oasis," a hermitage in Cleveland's Inner City where she offers retreats, ritual celebrations and sacramental opportunities. Website: www.tyrian.net and email: email@example.com
|Michele Birch-Conery, Ph.D. in English Literature, teaches at North Island College in Port Alberni, BC. From 1963-1974, she studied and taught with the Sisters of the Holy Names in the state of Washington. Michele says, "Since returning from the St. Lawrence ordinations, July 2005, I have come to appreciate the depth and extent to which, the SNJM's influence my gifts in ministry. Their charism in education for social justice, their spirituality of tenderness and compassion grounded in contemplation in action are with me always. Now, I also experience the giftedness of the prophetic community of Corpus priests and their companions on Vancouver Island. I am blessed by these people with whom I now serve in my call to ordination as a Romancatholic Womanpriest." email@example.com
|Marie Bouclin Marie Evans Bouclin, a former nun and high school teacher, worked as a free-lance translator in religion and ethics for over twenty years. She is serving a second term on the national work group of the Catholic Network for Women's Equality (CNWE) and was coordinator of Women's Ordination Worldwide from 2002-2006. Marie was ordained a deacon in August, 2006, and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 2007 in Toronto. Her area of ministry is to women who have been abused by clergy. She is the author of Seeking Wholeness: Women dealing with abuse of power in the Catholic Church (Liturgical Press, 2006). email@example.com
|Cheryl Bristol, lesbian by birth, Catholic by choice, felt called to ministry for many years. She was born on an apple farm north of Detroit and currently lives in southeast Michigan. She worked as a Paralegal while raising her son, Richard. Living in Jerusalem from 1999-2002 deepened her interest in justice and interfaith relations. In 2005 Cheryl served as a St. Joan's International Alliance delegate to the United Nations Non Governmental Organization Conference. She is currently a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender rights activist working with Catholics and other groups to end intolerance and religion abuse. Other ministries include weddings, holy union ceremonies, memorial services, baptisms, and playing the harp. firstname.lastname@example.com
Ruth Broeski takes the Spirit seriously. As often happens when the Breath of God is in control, this has led to many different turns on the path of her life. When young, Ruth committed for a time to convent life in Los Angeles. Later, motivated by an abiding desire to serve people, she studied psychology and theology, worked as a high school teacher, as a deputy sheriff, and sojourned for a few years on an island in Washington state. Most recently, Ruth received an MA in spirituality, which included study of everything from Christian mystics to mandalas to new consciousness. Ruth lives in Portland, Oregon, where she is a spiritual director.
|Gloria Ray-Carpeneto, D.Min., Ph.D., is a spiritual director, labyrinth facilitator, Reiki Master, writer, and teacher. Growing out of her work as a certified massage therapist, Gloria conducted her doctoral dissertation research on the subject of women & embodied spirituality. Growing out of this research, she has ministered primarily with women – individually and in groups – for nearly twenty years. Gloria has served as Pastoral Associate for Holistic Health Ministry in two Roman Catholic faith communities, as well as instructor in Psychology, Nursing, and Education in local colleges. Currently, she serves as Executive Director of the FRIENDS of the Northeast Interfaith Peace Garden www.friendsnipg.org a community garden and labyrinth located in an urban setting, and dedicated to interfaith peacemaking efforts. Together with RCWP priest Andrea Johnson, Gloria co-pastors the Living Water Community in Baltimore MD. Gloria was ordained a Roman Catholic woman priest in Boston MA on July 20, 2008, and lives in Baltimore MD with Myles, her husband of thirty-nine years. Myles & Gloria are the parents of Robin and Penelope, and grandparents to Prema and Uriah. Gloria may be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com
|Theresa Novak Chabot holds a Master of Arts in Theology (Pastoral Ministry/Spirituality) from St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont. After several years of serving in a variety of parish ministries, Theresa answered the call to priesthood to minister to those who are disillusioned with the Church but still long to be fed spiritually. She serves the Church of the Holy Spirit, a Catholic Welcoming Community of Hope, in Manchester, New Hampshire, with weekly liturgies and the sacraments in addition to a wedding ministry. Her hope lies in a Church where diversity is celebrated and all are welcome at the Eucharistic table in the loving spirit of Jesus Christ. Theresa was formerly Director of Development for NH Catholic Charities, an executive director of a chamber of commerce, and has worked in fundraising, public relations, and development for non-profits and businesses. In addition to her ministry, she is a speech-language pathologist for a public school district. She and her husband, Gary, reside in Manchester, NH. She can be reached at email@example.com
|Mary E. Collingwood has served for over 40 years in church ministry. She has a Master of Arts. She has diocesan certification as a Lay Ecclesial Minister and is a licensed teacher. She was Director of Religious Education, Coordinator for Marriage Preparation, and Pastoral Minister. On the diocesan level, she was the Director of the Pro Life Office and served on various boards and councils. Mary and her husband, Rich, live in the Cleveland area and continue to be blessed with seven remarkable children and are grandparents. Weekly celebration of Eucharist in the local community, celebrating the sacraments, pastoral counseling, working with other ministers in sustaining Christian communities, and supporting women in ordained ministry is her calling and passion.
|Juanita Cordero has an MA in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College, a Masters in Theology and a Doctor of Ministry with a emphasis in Feminist Pastoral Studies from Global Ministries University. She teaches at De Anza College in Cupertino, California in the Child Development/Education Department, and serves as a nurse for the Children's Center. Her present ministries include teaching, alternative healing, visiting the sick and elderly. She pastors a house church, the Magdala Catholic Community, in Los Gatos, CA. She and her husband Don (a former Jesuit, and a married priest who passed away in 2007) raised five children and were involved in liturgy and music planning for more than 30 years. She can be reached at: email@example.com
|Mary Grace Crowley-Koch began her walk towards priesthood at age 4 when she engaged her nursery school playmates in Eucharistic celebrations. She was taught by the Adrian Dominicans for 12 years and entered that community. While completing her MA in Theology at St. John's University in Collegeville and serving as a pastoral associate at several parishes she continued to feel the nudge of the Holy Spirit towards ordination. After teaching and seeing her children, Angela and Brian, move onwards toward college she was able to continue her pastoral ministry as a hospice chaplain. In this ministry she again felt the validation of her call to priestly ministry from the persons she served. This past year she began the official journey in the direction of priesthood and was ordained a deacon. On her journey towards priesthood she initiated a small faith community which has been meeting monthly for 15 years. For the same amount of time, she and her married priest husband, Ron, ministered to couples with a connection to the Roman Catholic church who would like to have their wedding celebration outside of the RC church building venue. She believes in God's constant call 'to do a new thing" and to share your God given gifts with all you meet as you dance together with all on your journey.
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|Marie David, M.Ed., Reiki Master/Teacher, has over 20 years experience in Catholic education, spirituality and parish ministry. Marie and her husband, Jim, are directors of Evensong by the Sea Retreat & Spirituality Center in Harwich Port, Massachusetts (www.evensongretreat.com). Marie is the mother of two grown daughters, Martha and Elizabeth. Her ministries include women's spirituality and wellness, Reiki treatments and training, spiritual direction and retreat work along with maintenance of sacred space at Evensong for retreatants to come away and renew their friendship with God. email@example.com
|Sandra DeMaster is the facilitator of "Bridges," an interdenominational ministry with the mission of providing opportunities for women and men to deepen their spirituality through spiritual direction, study groups and directed retreat experiences. Although she has earned an M.Div. degree and served for several years as a pastoral associate for two priestless parishes, Sandra counts as her most valuable preparation for pastoral ministry her 40 years of service as a Minister of Domestic Affairs. She lives with her husband in McMinnville, OR on a country acre where she delights in welcoming friends old and new, her six grown children and a growing brood of grandchildren. Her leadership of "Bridges" is inspired and renewed by engagement with gardening, reading, writing and contemplative prayer. To view more pictures of her deacon ordination please click on Sandra's Deaconate ordination.
|Eileen McCafferty DiFranco, R.N., M.A.Ed., M.Div., is a writer, community volunteer, and a registered nurse who works at a busy urban high school in Philadelphia. Ordained a priest in Pittsburgh in 2006, she serves as the pastor of The Community of Saint Mary Magdalene which meets each Sunday in a suburb of Philadelphia. Eileen is the first woman priest to preside at Dignity, Philadelphia. She also has a very busy wedding ministry. Eileen, and her husband Larry, have a daughter, three sons, and two grandchildren. email@example.com
|Olivia Doko, MA, OSB, Cam. Oblate, is the founder and director of Olive Tree Ministries through which she provides spiritual retreats and workshops. She has a private Holy Listening practice, offering directed retreats and spiritual direction, with a focus on contemplative prayer, to individuals and small groups. Qualified as a pastoral consultant through Loyola University, New Orleans, Olivia holds and MA in Theology (with an emphasis in Adult Christian Community Development) from Regis University, Denver. She has served the Western Region of RCWP-USA, Inc. as Administrator and as Program Coordinator; and currently, she is serving that regional community as its bishop. She and her husband, Slavo, have been married 49 years. They have two married sons and three grandsons. email: firstname.lastname@example.com website: www.olive-tree-ministries.com
|Diane Dougherty has worked in educational ministries in Catholic Schools, parishes and dioceses in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Not only has she taught children in classroom settings, she was a sacramental coordinator, developed a parish family catechetical program, collaborated in developing preschools of religion for two dioceses, and, as an Archdiocesan Director of Catechesis, worked to develop liturgical, sacramental, catechetical and spiritual formation programs that empowered and certified diocesan catechetical leaders. She began an Education Center focusing on lifelong parenting skills. She has written professionally and maintains her own blog. Presently, she is working at First Metropolitan Community Church empowering leaders in ministry. She will begin house churches around Atlanta and continue to promote equal roles for women within the Catholic tradition. She has a BSE and MSE in Elementary Education, a MAE in Pastoral Formation and Religious Education, and an EdS in Neuroscience of the Brain. She was ordained a deacon in ARCWP in Sarasota, Florida on April 2, 2011, and a priest in Atlanta, Georgia at First Metropolitan Community Church on October 20, 2012.
Email: email@example.com
|Barbara Anne Duff lives in Macon, GA. She was a Maryknoll Sister for 12 years earning a BSE while she taught in Bronx, NY. After leaving community life, she pursued a nursing degree from Loyola in Chicago, IL, where she became an Air Force Flight Nurse during the Vietnam conflict. Following military service, she worked in the Manchester VA Medical Center in New Hampshire where she obtained a Master's Degree in Human Services. She transferred to the Dublin VA Medical Center and served there as the Nursing Home Care Unit Supervisor and subsequently became the Assistant Chief Nurse. During that time she got a BS in Information Technology from Macon State College. She retired several years ago and is fulfilling her call by preparing for the priesthood. She supports and attends the Call to Action movement. Barbara was ordained a deacon on October 20, 2012. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
|Suzanne Dunn, sfcc (Sister for Christian Community) is Pastor of the Church of the Beatitudes. The Church of the Beatitudes meets every Sunday at the First Congregational Church-United Church of Christ - at 2101 State St., Santa Barbara, Ca. at 11:30 a.m. Suzanne was ordained a deacon on April 27, 2008 and a Roman Catholic Woman Priest on September 7, 2008. Suzanne has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and maintains a small private practice. In addition, she is a spiritual director and co-facilitator of the Santa Barbara/Ventura Chapter of the Contemplative Ministry Outreach. She is a trained presenter of the Introductory Workshop in Centering Prayer and conducts Silent Saturdays and three and five day retreats in Centering Prayer. Suzanne holds an MA in Religious Studies from Seattle University and has studied with Alexander Shaia, Ph.D. in the Journey of Quadratos: Beyond the Biography of Jesus. Suzanne lives out her religious life with a Sister of Notre Dame in Carpinteria, Ca. She is currently an Assistant Program Coordinator for the Western region of RCWP-USA. e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
|Gisela Forster (Dr.), one of the foremothers of RCWP, was born in Munich to parents from Bavaria and Hungary. She studied Catholic theology, philosophy, arts and architecture at the Technical University of Munich. On June 29, 2002, Forster and six other women, known as the Danube Seven, were ordained priests aboard a boat on the Danube River, near the town of Passau. In 2003 she was ordained a bishop, and as such she has served RCWP by officiating at the ordination of women in Canada, Western Europe and the USA. She is a member of the German organization, Gruppe Maria Magdala, Priesteramt fur die Frau, which promotes priesthood for women. Her ministry has included care of the home bound and work in the creative arts. Prior to her marriage to Anselm Forster in 1989, she was employed as a teacher at the Benedictine Schaftlarn School, and since the 1990's she has been a professor of art in Munich. In addition, she was elected to the district council of Starnberg in 1989, serving as chairperson on the council until 2002. She is a mother and a grandmother.
|Patricia Fresen, D.Th., formerly of South Africa, studied theology for seven years in Rome at the University of St. Thomas and at the Gregorian and obtained a Licentiate in Theology. Upon her return to South Africa in 1988, she was invited to join the faculty of the National Seminary in Pretoria, where she taught Sacramental Theology, Spirituality and Homiletics. She completed her doctoral studies and thesis and obtained the Doctorate in Theology in May 1996 through the University of South Africa; and shortly thereafter she accepted a position on the Faculty of the Catholic University in Johannesburg. As a direct result of her ordination to the priesthood in 2003, Patricia was forced to leave the Dominican Order in South Africa, of which she had been a member for 45 years; and she had to vacate her position at Catholic University. She subsequently left her homeland to take up residence in Germany, where she continues to live and to serve the mission and goals of RCWP.
Ordained a bishop in 2005, Patricia has been the presiding bishop at many ordinations in Europe, Canada and the USA. As the International Training Program Coordinator for RCWP, her primary ministry has been oversight and development of the Training Program, which prepares candidates for ordination to the priesthood. Since handing over the care of the Training Program in the USA to others, she has continued to oversee the Training Program in Canada and Europe West.
Patricia is a well-respected and well-known conference speaker and retreat leader in the USA, Canada, Europe, South Africa and Australia.
|Roberta Fuller was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She spent her first career with Air Canada in various capacities. Since she has traveled extensively and lived all over the world including both Montreal and France, she is therefore bilingual. Her academic degrees consist of an added B.Ed. to her undergraduate B.A.Hons., to begin a distinguished secondary school teaching career. Roberta continued on to graduate with a Masters of Education. She was then nominated for the Governor General's Outstanding Teacher Award, and because of her writing, was invited by both the University of Virginia and Common-wealth University of Va. to do further research on slavery. She was twice invited to Stratford Hall, the historic site and the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson, and finally, she was invited by Cambridge University in England, to do follow-up work on the Civil Rights Movement. Roberta has also been a local represent-ative on the Status of Women Committee in Ontario, and a member of the OSSTF Human Rights' Executive. She was the first recipient of the James Forster Human Rights' Award for both the promotion of equity and human rights. As a volunteer, she has taken medical supplies to the Canadian hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan three times and was awarded the YMCA Peace Medal. Roberta also served for several successive terms on the Board of Directors for Women's Resources, a shelter for abused women and children which also operates second-step housing, and many outreach programs for both child witnesses and adult victims of abuse. As a priest, Roberta continues to find the opportuniy to serve God, her community and beyond as the ultimate honour, priviledge, and responsibility.
|Rev. Joan Clark Houk is a careful and cheerful listener to the movement of the Holy Spirit in the world and in her life. She and her husband, John, are life partners and occasional partners in ministry. They have raised six children, and are proud great-grandparents. Involved in parish ministry for over 30 years, Joan had been Pastoral Director of two Roman Catholic parishes without priest pastors before her ordination. Her education includes: B.A. in Education, St. Martin's College; M.S. in Conflict Management, George Mason University; M.Div., University of Notre Dame. Joan's web site: www.JoanClarkHouk.com. Email: email@example.com
Christine M. Hassenstab was raised in Wabasso, Minnesota. She graduated from St. Ann (Area) High School in 1967, having been taught by the School Sisters of Notre Dame from Mankato. Chris was arrested twice for civil disobedience at the Bangor Trident Nuclear Submarine Base in Bangor, Washington along with others from "Live Without Trident" and spent time in jail after her conviction. After receiving a BS in Biology from The Evergreen State College she attended law school in San Francisco and received her JD in 1984. Thereafter, she worked as a public defender. On 9.11.2001 she moved to Trondheim, Norway with her partner, Sabrina P. Ramet, a Professor of Political Science. On 30 April 2010, she publically defended and received her PhD in Sociology from NTNU, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. The PhD dealt with science and ethics, focusing on the eugenics movement in Norway and the USA. She was ordained a deacon by Bishops Patricia Fresen and Ida Raming in Stuttgart on 12.12.2012. While working at NTNU, she is also finishing a Masters in Theology. Chris and a small group meet twice a month for a Liturgy of the Word and prayer. The group, a "huskirke" (house church), is also involved in social justice issues, especially focusing on the treatment of the Roma in Norway, sustainability/environmental issues and homophobia in the Roman Catholic Church. Sabrina, Chris, Sabrina and Sasha – their cat – live in a house crowded with books, music and art and in a community of good friends and laughter. She can be reached at: firstname.lastname@example.com .
|Rose Marie (Ree) Hudson, womanpriest, is co-pastor of
Therese of Divine Peace Inclusive Community. Ree has many years of ministerial experience beginning in the Methodist Church and continuing in the Roman Catholic Church. Ree has theology degrees from Scarritt College for Christian Workers, was certified in Pastoral ministries by the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and received a Masters of Pastoral Studies from Loyola of New Orleans. Ree is the regional administrator of the Great Waters Region in RCWP. She is a certified minister in the Federation of Christian Ministries, a member of CTA-USA, of WOC, and is involved with women's groups and ecumenical groups. Ree is married to Bob Hudson, has four children and 11grandchildren. She can be contacted at email@example.com website: www.thereseofdivinepeace.org
|Alice Marie Iaquinta, M.Div., ABD for Ph.D., M.A., B.A., A.A. "My ordination is an act of surrender to the Spirit and obedience to God, not an act of defiance of the church. I love the Roman Catholic Church and want to see the reforms of the Vatican II Council fulfilled. This is the 'new springtime' that Pope John XXIII and the Council recognized and we are the 'signs of the times.'" She has taught college for 40 years. Alice became aware of her call to the priesthood after graduatinrg with honors from St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, WI. Ministry includes teaching ethics, offering spiritual direction, marriage preparation and weddings, adult faith formation in workshops and study groups. Alice and a married priest are pastors of the inclusive Vatican II Eucharistic Catholic community, Mary of Magdala, Apostle to the Apostles Catholic Church in Milwaukee, WI.
|Alta Jacko I was born on Good Friday, April 6, 1928 in Chicago, Il. I lived on the Southside of Chicago with my mother and brother. I came from a loving and religious family, even though we had little in the way of material things, in the way of family values we were wealthy. My mother loved my brother and me very much and made sure we understood that. I earned a bachelor degree in Education and a Master Degree in Music Education, from the Chicago Conservatory of Music, a Master Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University of Chicago, and a Master of Jurisprudence in Child and Family Law from Loyola University of Chicago. I completed my student teaching at the University of Chicago. I have eight children, four girls and four boys, sixteen grand children and four great-grand children. email@example.com
|Andrea M. Johnson, M. Div., a former program officer in international education exchange with the Senior Fulbright Scholars' Program, has worked for many years, and in several dioceses, as a religious educator at the adult and secondary levels. In the 1980's, she served for two years as a parish life director in a priestless parish of the military diocese. Always active in her parish communities, she served from 2004-2006 on the pastoral council of her current parish, as president during the second year of her term. An active member of the Women's Ordination Conference since 1984, she served that organization as executive director from 1996-2000. Andrea's educational background includes a BA in French from Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana, and a MA in diplomacy and international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. With an M.Div. from Global Ministries University, her particular interest is ministry with marginalized and underserved Catholics. email@example.com
|Caryl Conroy Johnson, is a spiritual director and offers retreats and grief workshops. She is a member of the St. Mary Magdalene Community, Drexel Hill, PA, where she is involved in worship, service to the homeless, and theological reflection groups. She is also involved in interfaith work. For 15 years Caryl served as Pastoral Associate at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Springfield, PA working in bereavement, ministry to the sick, youth ministry, worship, and interfaith events. Prior to that she was a CYO basketball coach and was involved in liturgical ministries and marriage preparation. She has a M. A. in Religious Studies, St. Charles Seminary and a M. S. in Spiritual Direction, Neumann University. Caryl is happily married with 3 adult children.. email@example.com
|Adele Decker Jones, a proud native of New Orleans, received a Catholic education throughout her formative years. She joined the United States Nursing Cadet Corp in 1944 during WWII and became a Registered Nurse with a specialization in psychiatry. She married a medical student in 1947 and moved to Victoria, Texas, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology while helping her husband start a medical practice and raising a family. She was the Founder and Director of St. Christopher's Hall, a school program for children with LLD. Upon moving in 1980 to San Antonio she originated the Office of Development for Catholic Television of San Antonio and wrote a history of its origins. In 1986 she began post graduate studies at Oblate School of Theology which included a Master's Degree in Theological Studies writing her Master's thesis on "World Hunger in the Light of Social Justice." In 1991 she completed a Master's in Divinity and in 1997 at the age of seventy, she obtained a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy from Garrett Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Adele then became a Licensed Professional Counselor and founded "Made for Joy", an outreach of her Doctoral research. She was on the staff of Grace Counseling Center, developed a private counseling practice and taught workshops, seminars, and retreats. She taught several courses to students at Oblate School of Theology on "Sophia as Divine Wisdom." In 1988 Adele had professed as a member of the Secular Franciscan Order and served as Minister of St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity. The basis of her spirituality has become the Franciscan charisms, especially simplicity, peace, love, and joy. Adele has two sons, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two more very soon on the way. Adele is the first ordained womandeacon in Texas. Hopefully she will soon be joined by many others.
Ann Poelking Klonowski was ordained a deacon on February 9, 2013 and anticipates ordination to the priesthood September 7, 2013. She is a teacher and has taught people from preschoolers to adults. Currently she is coordinating a literacy program for urban first-graders. She earned a degree in education from Ohio State University and a master's degree in religious studies from John Carroll University. She has been active in her church since her college days when she and her guitar were dragged to the front of the church. She and her spouse, Alan, have been members of Christian Life Community since the early days of their marriage. It has fed their marriage and their individual spiritual development. They are the parents of two adult children of whom they are ridiculously proud. They have two incredibly intelligent granddaughters, whom Ann was privileged to baptize in the summer of 2012. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Ann's email: email@example.com
|Kathleen Kunster, M.Div., M.A., Psy.D., was ordained a priest in Pittsburgh in 2005. She earned her Master of Divinity at the Franciscan School of Theology, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA, and her doctorate in clinical psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco. Ministries include a pastoral counseling practice through Church of the Roses, Santa Rosa, CA, spiritual direction, and psychotherapy as a Registered Psychological Assistant (CA) in a rural community mental health clinic. Dr. Kunster was born in Florida, but has lived in California most of her life, most recently in (West) Sonoma County, CA. She delights in her daughter and son-in law, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. email@example.com
|Mary Kay Kusner, MA, CC has been a chaplain for over 20 years. During this time, she witnessed the openness of people to her as a woman minister. When she graduated from Boston College with her Master's in Pastoral Ministry in 1987, many of her peers were leaving the Catholic church to become ordained. At that time, Mary Kay said, "I want my presence to speak louder than my absence."
She has remained a faithful Catholic and, after hearing Patricia Fresen speak at the Call to Action National Conference in 2006, believes it is time for women to claim their rightful role as ordained ministers. Just this past August, she was ordained a deacon in Minneapolis, MN. Currently, she serves as the chaplain for the Palliative Care Program at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. She is skilled in providing support to those in crisis and at the end of life. It has been her great joy to officiate at weddings, baptisms. and in a small faith community called Full Circle. Mary Kay has four children and has been married for 26 years. Her first book, Upside-down and Backwards: A Mother's Story will be published this fall and be available on Amazon.com.
|Patricia LaRosa prefers to be called "Patti," as it reminds her of her family of origin, a tight knit Italian American family with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. She spent 22 years in a married relationship, raising two daughters. Patti recognized her call to ordained ministry in 1989 and pursued it by working toward a Master of Arts in Theology while working as a Pastoral Associate in a Rochester, NY parish. She also worked in hospice and loved the hours spent with families and caring for their dying loved ones. She spent 4 years exploring the possibility of ordination through the Episcopal Church, but discovered her Catholic roots and commitment while attending Union Theological Seminary in Manhattan. She graduated with a Master of Divinity in 2007, and became affiliated with Roman Catholic Womenpriests during her two years in Manhattan. Patti currently lives in Rochester, NY and is active in her home parish of Spiritus Christi Church. She also works with a newly forming inclusive community called Spiritus Christi Buffalo.
|Jim Lauder, BSW, MA, D. Min (Candidate) sfo (Secular Franciscan Order) leads the St. Iris Faith Community in Victoria, BC that was named after Dr. Iris Muller, a "grandmother" of RCWP. In addition to this ministry, Jim
is the creator of Life's Circle Ceremonies for All Occasions and he offers inspirational services that are person-centered, spiritually meaningful, and based on peoples religious, semi-religious, or secular beliefs. He has over twenty years experience in counseling and facilitation. Additionally, he is a cancer survivor and author of Fear, Valor, Humor, a story about his healing experience. Jim is married to Janine, and they have two Border Collie aughters, Sadie and Grace. Being a "dog father" is a true blessing in my life. My mission is to affirm and inspire the creative potential in all my relationships, and I love to bring to my work a deep sense of compassion, sensitivity and spirituality. I am so honored to advocate for equality in our church, and be a part of a strong community and movement that models a renewed priestly ministry. www.lifescircle.com
|Judith A. B. Lee, DMin, MS, DSW is the Pastoral Director of Good Shepherd Ministries serving the culturally diverse poor of Southwest Florida. Called to serve early, she continues to follow Jesus whose inclusive love, call of women, and revolutionary poor people's movement turns the world, including the religious establishment, upside down. She combines her social work background with healing and liberating ministry with the poor and outcast. Active in homeless ministries since 1982 she leads The Church In The Park, an ecumenical feeding ministry often serving over a hundred people a night. Since 1989 she has lived with Judy Beaumont, her awe-inspiring ministry partner. She is Professor Emerita at the University of Connecticut and is a prolific writer whose work includes The Empowerment Approach To Social Work Practice: Building the Beloved Community (Columbia University Press, 2001) and The Flame Keeper And Other Poems (PublishAmerica, 2007). She can be reached at email@example.com.
|Morag Liebert was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and studied for an M.A. (Ordinary) in Biblical Studies and Moral Philosophy with Nursing Studies and later for a M.Sc. in Nursing Education at the University of Edinburgh. In her career in the nursing profession she worked as a Health Visitor (Public Health Nurse) and for a number of years taught community care and health subjects in the South Lothian College of Nursing and Midwifery in Edinburgh. From 1994 to 2009 she was active in the UK campaign for the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church and since 2001 she has worked as a volunteer with abused women. When she retired she returned to the University of Edinburgh to study for a B.D. with Honours in Divinity. She offers a monthly house Mass and once or twice a year she teaches a short course of Bible Study from a feminist standpoint. She may be contacted at email@example.com.
|Jeannette Love was ordained a deacon on Aug 28, 2010 and a Roman Catholic Womanpriest on September 12, 2010. During her years of study as a religious sister for nineteen years she has been trained in theology and in addition studied a year of theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington School of Theology in New Jersey. She was previously ordained in the Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch (not under Rome) and served the Archbishops and the development of the Church for eleven years. Jeannette attended the University of Creation Spirituality founded by Matthew Fox in Oakland, CA through which she received a Masters degree awarded by Naropa University in Boulder, CO. At present Jeannette assists Suzanne Dunn in serving at the Catholic Church of the Beatitudes and works part time for the church as a Marketing and Membership Consultant. She also offers spiritual direction, facilitates a weekly Centering Prayer Group, volunteers at VNA and Hospice and is commissioned to give the Centering Prayer introductory workshop. Jeannette resides in Santa Barbara..
|Jean Marie Marchant, M.Div., D.Min., ordained to the priesthood on July 25, 2005 on the St.
Lawrence Seaway, holds a Masters of Divinity Degree from Weston Jesuit School of Theology
and the Doctor of Ministry Degree in Pastoral Counseling from the Graduate Theological
Foundation. Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Jean is a Reiki Master, Certified
Chaplain and holds a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. She is the former Director of Health
Care Ministry for the Archdiocese of Boston, and as an ordained priest in the Roman Catholic
Womanpriest movement, her ministry of pastoral care, counseling and spiritual direction is
now enriched by her sacramental ministry. She has ministered over the past 30 years to people
navigating a myriad of challenges and transitions across the spectrum of life, primarily as an
interfaith hospice chaplain where it has been her gift to accompany people living and dying
with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life threatening illnesses, adults facing issues of spiritual and
emotional health, and those grieving the death of a loved one. Her years in the early 1990's
as chaplain at The Hospice at Mission Hill, a residence for people with HIV/AIDS, deepened
her awareness of the concerns of those in the LGBTQ community, and this sacred witness has
profoundly informed her ministry. As a bereaved parent, with a special place in her heart for
grieving children, Jean co-founded The Children's Room: A Center for Grieving Children
&Teenagers. The mother of two adult daughters, and grandmother of five, Jean has a passion
for justice and for empowering women and men in their search for wholeness and holy-ness in
their lives, she brings this to bear in her ministry as spiritual director, chaplain and pastor. Jean
and her husband of 25 years, Rev. Dr. Ron Hindelang are the Co-Pastors of The Spirit of Life:
A Catholic Community of Justice and Joy, a Eucharistic Community that is inclusive, open,
affirming and interactive, deeply committed to being a people of 'Justice and Joy' where all are
truly welcome at the table! Visit us at: www.SpiritofLifeCommunity.org
|Maureen Mancuso received her M.Div. from the Jesuit School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. In addition she holds a teaching credential in English is and working on her Ph.D. in World Religions. Maureen felt called to priesthood at an early age though she tended to dismiss the idea, for as a cradle Catholic it seemed an improbable path. However, the light of the Holy Spirit cannot be ignored! Active in parish ministry as parish council president, a member of peace and justice, a musician and a member of the St. Vincent DePaul society the call to priestly ordination was re-illuminated. Maureen discerned God's call and responded by beginning her theological studies. After the completion of her degree she furthered her ministerial activities and took on an even greater role in ministerial leadership. She taught theology at a high school in Santa Rosa, CA wherein she was also the school's chaplain, and chair of the Religious Studies Department. Maureen has been the Director of RCIA, a hospital chaplain, a retreat director, liturgist, and has lead workshops at the diocesan and national levels. As a Christian feminist Maureen actively supports equality for women in the Roman Catholic Church and is a member of CTA, WOC, and the Women of Magdala. Presently, Maureen teaches high school English full-time, and she divides her time as a deacon for both the Mary Magdala community in Los Gatos and the Namaste community in Orinda, CA. In addition she continues with her PhD studies. The focus of her research for her dissertation is an interfaith exploration of religious empowerment of women in the Abrahamic tradition.
|Victoria Marie was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Canada in 1965. Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Tonantzin Inclusive Catholic Community, Victoria Marie was ordained as a Roman Catholic WomanPriest in July 2012. She has been a spiritual director since 1997 and worked in parish ministry as the coordinator of adult religious education for six years in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver until 2002. She completed her BA (Sociology and Anthropology) and MA (Anthropology) at Simon Fraser University. She has a PhD from the University of British Columbia (Educational Studies), a Master of Pastoral Studies (Spiritual Direction), from the Vancouver School of Theology. She is a researcher, activist and co-founder of the Vancouver Catholic Worker. Her social justice interests have taken her to Kenya and Mexico; to Colombia with Witness for Peace; and to Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishnabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation) in north-western Ontario with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT).
|Eleonora Marinaro Eleonora V. Marinaro, lives and ministers in Port Richey, Florida through Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction. Her sacramental and liturgical ministry is in two small faith communities, where she provides teaching and healing services.
|Marellen Mayers, M.A., was ordained a deacon on May 16, 2010 and priest on June 4, 2011. She grew up the eldest of five children living in Baltimore MD and Chicago IL. Her ministry in the Roman Catholic Church began with religious life from 1975 to 1980. For the past 37 years Marellen has worked in the fields of social work, health, education and ministry. From 1988 to 2010, her professional life was as a Director of Campus Ministry, dedicated to working with middle school, high school, and undergraduate students. Marellen also taught Theology on the high school level and served as a department chair. She earned a Master's degree in Holistic Spirituality from Chestnut Hill College. Marellen is a Spiritual Director having studied at Shalem Institute. Her expertise continues in the field of retreat work; she is a certified Facilitator for Bereavement support groups; and she works as a certified Reiki II practitioner. She and her husband, Craig Mayers, were married in 1986 and reside in Forest Hill, Maryland. Marellen can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com
Marybeth McBryan, Marybeth has been heavily involved in parish ministries in the Archdiocese of St. Louis for nearly 30 years. A mother and grandmother, she is a former teacher in both parochial and public schools, and has also served on the Board of Education of the St. Louis Public Schools. Marybeth has a Master's degree in education with secondary degrees in administration and counseling; she has accrued 40+ hours in theology, liturgy and religious education. She is currently a part of the music ministry and serves as a priest on the ministerial staff at Therese of Divine Peace. email@example.com
website: www.thereseofdivinepeace.org
Maria Thornton McClain is the leader of St. Mary of Magdala Catholic Community, in Indianapolis. She didn't seek ordination but her passion for justice, especially for people on the margins, led her to RCWP. She has an M.A. in Religious Studies and a Certificate in Pastoral Studies. She grew up mainly in Buffalo, NY, joined the Sisters of Mercy there and taught in Catholic schools. After leaving the convert, she moved to Indianapolis in 1977 to take a position as parish DRE. She met her husband, Ed, was Coordinator of Boards of Education, wrote and edited publications for the NCEA; later served as consultant to religious and nonprofit organizations until she retired. She helped found a recovery home for women with drug addictions and served on that board for 11 years. She is a Toastmaster, loves to explore new places and ideas and is involved in ecumenical efforts as part of her ministry. Her e-mail address is: .firstname.lastname@example.com
Elsie Hainz McGrath pastors Therese of Divine Peace Inclusive Roman Catholic Community in St. Louis, MO, together with her sister-priest, Rose Marie Hudson, where she presides at weekly liturgies, witnesses weddings and holy unions, leads funeral and memorial services, listens and counsels, and engages in interreligious activities with neighboring worshiping communities. Elsie is also the Program Coordinator for the Great Waters Region, working closely with inquirers, applicants, candidates, and deacons who are discerning a possible call to ordained priesthood within the RCWP movement. Elsie has theology degrees from Saint Louis University and from the Aquinas Institute of Graduate Theology. She has been a professional editor and writer for a Catholic publishing house, a university campus minister, a parish director of RCIA, and (with her late husband) a leader in marriage preparation programming and mentoring. She is the mother of 4, grandmother of 12, and great-grandmother of 11. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Website: www.thereseofdivinepeace.org
|Judith McKloskey first spoke up for women's ordination when her fourth grade teacher said girls couldn't be altar servers. A long time member of the Women's Ordination Conference, she was active in Women's Worship Circle and Never On Sunday, a group studying lectionary references to Biblical women. After earning a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Library Science, Judith managed library networks and religious organizations for 20 years. During that time, she served her parish in many roles, including parish council president and lay preacher. Judith ministers as a hospice volunteer and as a presider and sacramental minister for families and small faith communities. She lives in Minnesota with her husband; they have one adult daughter. email@example.com
|Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP, a Sister for Christian Community, serves Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Communities in Florida and in Virginia. She presides at liturgies, officiates at weddings and offers sacramental ministry in both communities. Meehan is author of eighteen books including Living Gospel Equality Now: Loving in the Heart of God, a story about her journey to priesthood in the women priest movement that is rocking the foundation of the Roman Catholic Church, a holy shakeup that is bringing new life, creativity and justice to the church and beyond. Dr. Meehan is currently Dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program for Global Ministries University. Her work in communications media include programs about womenpriests on google and youtube and articles on BridgetMary's Blogspot. She serves on the media committee for RCWP Association. Bridget Mary was ordained a priest in the first USA ordination in Pittsburgh on July 31, 2006 and was ordained a bishop in Santa Barbara, California in the historic ordination of four bishops in the United States on April 19, 2009. email@example.com
|Roberta Meehan is a university biology teacher, a professional science writer, and an invited speaker on the bio-theology of sex and gender. Her ministries include teaching, writing, public speaking, and internet-based theological communications -- particularly in the areas of scripture, church documents (including the Documents of Vatican II), and bio-theology. A grandmother, a divorcee, and an avid tennis player, Roberta Meehan shares her home with her three dachshunds. firstname.lastname@example.com
|Debra Meyers has published several books as a professor of history and women's studies at Northern Kentucky University. She has studied at a Roman Catholic seminary and is currently working to complete a master's degree in Religious Studies. Her ministry focuses primarily on single mothers and their children who make up the vast majority of impoverished people in our country today. Debra is a wife, the mother of two successful children, and a grandmother. Debra was ordained a deacon on October 20, 2012.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
|Marty Meyer-Gad, MA - liturgy, certificate in Pastoral Liturgical Ministries from Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit. She has experience in traditional and democratic parishes. She worked for the archdiocesan liturgy offices in Detroit and Chicago. Among her writings are Basics: a Liturgical Education Sourcebook and At Home with the Word, which she started by writing the first volumes. She helped many faith communities with consensus decision making and goal setting. In 1983 she danced down the aisle to preside with her husband, Bruno, over their wedding. In 1989 they moved from his native Chicago back to Marty's native MN. They have one adult son. Recent ministry includes serving as a hospital chaplain (certified 2003) and leading worship in prison. Marty sees her ordination as a declaration that the Catholic Church has an abundance of priests but needs to match the gifts of priestly people to the needs of people of God. firstname.lastname@example.com
|Regina Nicolosi, MA, was born in a small town on the Rhine River. She was a teacher in Germany. 1969 she came to the USA to marry the love of her life, Charles, a radiologist and deacon. Together they raised four children, one of them from Colombia and one from Korea. Regina participated fully in Charles' preparation to the diaconate. She earned her Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies. Regina has worked as a housing manager for seniors, as a chaplain in a correctional facility for boys, in a drug and alcohol recovery unit and in a nursing home. She is retired now. She helps prepare women for ordination and celebrates Eucharist with Dignity and other small faith-communities. email@example.com
|Dena (Baronn) O'Callaghan is one of the women who stood at the first Women's Ordination Conference in Detroit, 1975, when the audience was asked, "Who feels called by God to a renewed priestly ministry in the Roman Catholic Church?" After receiving her M.Div at St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, MI, Dena was appointed Associate Pastor of a newly-found parish community in the diocese of Saginaw. There she preached at weekend liturgies, co-celebrated the sacraments of the Church and was Director of the RCIA for eight years. Dena also served as Pastoral Administrator, instructor in the diaconate formation program at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and conducted retreats for women and lay ministers. She and her husband John, a retired priest, currently co-pastor the House Church of Mary and Joseph in Ocala, Florida. email@example.com
|Catherine O'Connor is a registered social worker in Barrie, Ontario, with an M.Div. from Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, where she was awarded the Excellence in Liturgy award upon graduation. Catherine has been working with deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people for over 25 years; she holds a post-graduate certificate in bereavement counseling and, up until recently, volunteered with the Ontario Provincial Police as an on-call crisis counselor. Hard of hearing herself, she is an avid advocacy worker in the area of disability rights and can communicate in ASL. She has over 15 years of parish experience, including extensive preaching, leading small groups, teaching confirmation classes, and so on.
|Diane O'Donnell
lived her entire life in Minnesota. In 2006 she retired to New Mexico. After receiving her bachelor's degree, she taught school then joined the Flurochemistry laboratories at 3M for 10 years as scientist, followed by becoming the first female purchasing agent at 3M. She then branched out to her own financial planning business receiving many decrees and licenses beyond a "financial planner". During her time prior to retirement, she performed many ministries in the various Catholic parishes of which she was a member. Diane states that "Even though I was successful in my various careers and my church ministries, I still felt I was a round peg in a square hole. Now, in RCWP, I feel completed." Diane was ordained an RCWP deacon on September 18, 2011. She can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com
|Jennifer O'Malley holds a Masters of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University Chicago and a Masters of Special Education. She is currently a program administrator for the secondary special education programs at Compton Unified School District and has done research on disproportionality and the use of peaceable classroom techniques to stop the school to jail pipeline. Jen previously worked as a Coordinator of Youth ministry at a parish in the archdiocese of Los Angeles and was a program director for a national Catholic service learning program. Jen is involved in ministry with the gay and lesbian community and a member of CTA 20/30. She is committed to social justice and has traveled throughout Central America meeting with local community leaders and union groups. Jen lives in Long Beach with her partner, Liz Carlin, of 18 years. firstname.lastname@example.com
|Ann Penick is originally from the Chicago area. She and her husband, Jim, live in Maryland near Washington, DC. They have been married for 25 years. Ann has long been an active member of the Roman Catholic Church. She has done ministry volunteer work as a music minister, minister in sacred dance, retreat facilitator, a member of the liturgy team at various parishes where she's been a member, and a member of welcoming and hospitality committees. In 1993 Ann received a certification in lay ministry from the Diocese of Birmingham, in Alabama. In 1995 Ann received a Masters in Counseling degree from the University of Birmingham in Alabama. In 1997 she completed 3 units in CPE at Bon Secours/St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, SC. In 2008, Ann received her Masters in Pastoral Ministry degree from Boston College. Ann served as chaplain to college students from1997-2008—with the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina and with the Archdiocese of Boston. She came face-to-face with her calling to the priesthood in 2005 at the WOW conference in Canada. She has been supported in her journey to the priesthood by Jim, her step-daughter, Katie, her step-son, Mike, and her brother, Rob. Currently, Ann works as a mental health counselor at a Maryland community college. In her spare time Ann enjoys music, dance, travel, her granddaughter Meg, and their cat, Numbers.
|Josephine Petermeier grew up on a farm in Northwest Iowa, the oldest of 5 girls. From an early age she felt called to be a priest and longed to say mass. She joined the convent, where she worked in the community's retreat center and retirement home for 9 years. She earned her BA Theology from Creighton University in Omaha and then worked as a DRE for several years. She moved to Minneapolis and studied electronics and then worked as a Service Tech for 15 years. She met and married her husband Jerry, and they have two grown sons. She spent 15 years serving youth as a Scout Leader. She has always been active in her parish as a lector and EM and with RCIA. She volunteers with the homeless and the local food shelf. She is a staff member at St Louis Park Junior High School. She is working toward a Pastoral Ministry Certificate with Global Ministries University. Currently, she is serving at 2 RCWP-led communities, Compassion of Christ Catholic Community and Mary Magdalene, First Apostle, and Friends in Faith, an Intentional Eucharistic Community. For fun, she is a Geo-cacher with over a thousand finds.
|Miriam Therese Picconi Miriam Therese Picconi was born in the Bronx, NY; then raised in Queens, NY. She entered a religious congregation and was a Catholic Sister for 25 years. After leaving the community she continued in ministry. Over the last 45 years she has been in leadership positions in Religious Education, Archdiocesan Youth Ministry, Retreat Ministry, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults on the Diocesan and Parish level and coordinated and ministered in all aspects of Parish Ministry. Miriam also served as a Pastoral Associate in a number of parishes /and Parish Life Director. She recently retired and moved to Palm Coast, Fl in December 2010. Miriam has certification in Teacher Training, a B. S. in Special Studies, a Masters in Religious Studies and over 400 hours in Clinical Pastoral Education. She was in a transitional time in her life and, in an ecumenical spirit, she was at St. Thomas Episcopal Church where she has preached, spoke at the Women's Group and Ultreya gathering, facilitated an Adult Sunday School faith sharing using the Sunday Scriptures, and led Stations of the Cross and inter-faith prayer services. She has also become a volunteer with Flagler Hospital Hospice Care. After ordination Miriam's desire is to minister to those who have been alienated and/or ostracized from the Catholic Church and provide inclusive ministries and liturgies where all are welcome to celebrate and experience Sofia's unconditional love in a community and discipleship of equals. firstname.lastname@example.com
|Bertha Popeney was ordained to the Diaconate on June 19, 2010 in Santa Barbara, California. Bertha felt God calling her to priesthood in early childhood. It is a call that was expressed in a lifetime of service to others. She is a native of San Diego, California, and was born the eldest of six siblings. She has an M.A. in Education, and completed her theological studies in local universities. Both her family and her education instilled in her the importance of love, service and honor, and of protecting and teaching those with whom she came in contact. She taught in the San Diego Unified School District for 25 years. Bertha also engaged in ministry within the Diocese of San Diego and is a recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the USCCB. She is currently Secretary of San Diego Call-To-Action. Bertha lives in San Diego with her beloved husband Tom.
|Joleane Presley works full time at the Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland as a Senior Chaplain in Manassas, VA. Her ministry involves providing pastoral care to patients who are recovering from physical disabilities such as stroke, amputation, head injury and spinal cord injury. She graduated from Duke Divinity School Seminary in 2001 with a M.Div. She has an undergraduate degree in rehabilitation counseling. Joleane has been married for fourteen wonderful years to husband Scott. She is a devoted "fur mommy" to her three terriers! She was ordained a deacon on October 20, 2012.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
|Ida Raming was born in 1932 in the northwestern part of Germany and studied philosophy, education, theology and German in Münster and in Freiburg/Breisgau. After her first state examination (in high school education) she continued her theological studies in Münster.
During Vatican Council II, in 1963, together with Dr. Iris Müller
(colleague and friend), she drew up a published petition to the Vatican Council, challenging the exclusion of women from the priesthood.
Ida received her doctorate in theology from the University of Münster in 1970, and her thesis was titled "The Exclusion of Women from Priesthood: Divine Law or Gender Discrimination?" which was later published in Germany in 1973 (Böhlau Verlag, Köln / Wien); an English translation of her thesis was published by Scarecrew Press in 1976, a second edition in 2004).
Ida has published numerous books and articles on the history and theology of women, especially on the position of women in the Roman Catholic Church. She states:"Considering the continuing oppression of women by the Vatican regarding their baptismal right to ordination, especially the definitive decision of Pope John Paul II against the priesthood of women (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, 1994), in my view the doors to women's ordination were closed. Therefore I did not expect any reforms through dialogue and action within the system. I decided, together with my friend and colleague Dr. Iris Müller, after a lifelong struggle for women's ordination, that the best - and possibly at this juncture the only - way forward was to transgress canon law (c.1024 CIC), relying on the word of Holy Scripture: "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29)."
On June 29, 2002, Ida Raming was one of the original seven women who were ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood. This took place on the Danube River. In June, 2006 she was ordained a Roman Catholic womanbishop in Stuttgart, Germany.
|Kathy Redig, M.A. in Pastoral Ministries is a certified chaplain. She has served in Winona, MN in this capacity since 1995. Through this ministry she became aware that many people feel disenfranchised from the Catholic church and other churches. She was called to ministry at a young age, entering the convent after high school. Eventually realizing that she needed a partner in life, she left, married, and with her husband, raised two children. She suddenly became aware that God was calling her to ordination to become part of the change that she hoped to see within the Catholic church. Kathy and her husband Robert have established an inclusive parish, All Are One Roman Catholic church where all are welcome at the table. email@example.com
|Chava Redonnet,
has been a member of the Corpus/Spiritus Christi community in Rochester NY since 1980, and serves as chaplain at St. Joseph's House of Hospitality, the Rochester Catholic Worker, as well as working as a youth minister at First Unitarian Church in Rochester, and as a chaplain resident at Strong Memorial Hospital.
A graduate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, she is the author of Standing in the Light, an account of the 1998 upheaval at Corpus Christi and the formation of Spiritus, and of Don't Forget to Breath Glory and Bound in a River of Light.
Chava has three grown daughters, Clare, Bridget and Emily, two of whom are now living in Rochester, much to her delight.
|Mary Ellen Robertson, BA in Theology, RN, ministers through card ministry, spiritual direction & retreat work, publishes a spirituality reflection letter, The Spiritual Connection by subscription and presider for Eucharist with communities in Michigan and Florida. "Her story" is published in RCWP's book, Women Find A Way: The Movement & Stories of Roman Catholic Womenpriests. She has served as hospital chaplain and Spiritual Care Counselor for hospice. Mary Ellen has authored two books, Meditations for Working Women and Meditations for Working Men, owned and managed a motel for 17 years and written various articles including business, personal interviews and spirituality. She is a mother of three adult daughters (including twins), grandmother of six and lives with her husband, John for over 40 years in Michigan. email@example.com
|Donna LeMaster Rougeux lives in Lexington, Kentucky and graduated from Lexington Theological Seminary in 2009 with a Masters in Pastoral Studies. She completed a residency with Hospice in 2010 earning four units of Clinical Pastoral Education. She has worked as a Hospice Chaplain since she finished the residency and plans on becoming a certified chaplain. Donna is married and has three teenaged children. She taught first grade and fourth grade in a Catholic School before she got married. She was ordained as a deacon on September 9, 2011. "I am so thankful that God has called me to work for reform in the Roman Catholic Church. I hope that my daughters, granddaughters and all women will be forever changed and affirmed to follow God's call because of the work that this movement has done and will do in challenging the Church to be the kindom on earth."
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
|Victoria Rue, M.Div., Ph.D., is a professor at San Jose State University in Comparative Religious Studies. Her Master of Divinity is from Union Theological Seminary in NYC. Her Ph.D. is from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley,CA. Dr. Rue is Spiritual Care Counselor with Central Coast VNA/Hospice. She is also a theatre writer/director whose work has been seen in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
Dr. Rue has published numerous articles, her most recent in New Feminist Christianity: Many Voices Many Views, edited by Mary Hunt & Diann Neu, 2010. Victoria's book, Acting Religious: Theatre as Pedagogy in Religious Studies, was published by Pilgrim Press. See her website: http://www.victoriarue.com. In January of l988 Victoria was called forth by Dignity NYC to con-celebrate a Mass with an out gay priest on 5th Avenue, across from St. Patrick's Cathedral. That street ordination by LGBT people led her in l995 in Oakland, California, to co-found A Critical Mass: Women Celebrating the Eucharist. That same NYC ordination by LGBT people led her in 2005 to be one of four women ordained as priests on a boat on the St. Lawrence Seaway. In San Francisco, Victoria was called forth by Trinity Episcopal Church to organize a Roman Catholic community. In January 2009, Dr. Rue began presiding at bi-monthly Saturday Eucharists with Sophia in Trinity: a New Catholic Community. For more information: www.sophiaintrinity.org Also in San Francisco, Dr. Rue presides monthly at a Eucharist for LGBT members of the Metropolitan Community Church. In the East Bay, Victoria presides monthly at a house church The Namaste Community. For more information: Gwen email@example.com Victoria and her partner Kathryn Poethig, M.Div., Ph.D. met at Union Theological Seminary, NYC. Kathryn is a candidate for ordination in the Presbyterian Church, and is Associate Professor Global Studies at California State University at Monterey Bay. They celebrated their twentieth anniversary of commitment in September 2008 by getting married. They live in Watsonville, California.
|Wanda Yvonne Lavinghouse Russell was ordained a deacon in RCWP Association in Sarasota, Florida on April 2, 2011 and ordained a priest in Ormond Beach, Fl on April 14, 2012. Born in Mobile, Alabama she lived most of her youth in North and Southeast states. While living in Montgomery, Alabama she married and had a daughter, Monica, who moved to New York. Wanda is a retired social worker now residing in Palm Coast, Florida. Wanda has been in volunteer RCC ministry most of her life. As an active, progressive Roman Catholic, she has ministered as Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Prayer Group Leader, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults team leader, Charismatic Healing Ministry prayer team leader, taught a bible study group at her work and on Sundays, facilitated faith sharing groups, worked on youth ministry team, co-chaired a diocesan youth convention with over 700 participants, led many workshops including Life in the Spirit and the Beginning Experience. Wanda has been very ecumenical working to bring all Godde's people of many faiths and backgrounds together. She was a novice in the Sisters of Loretto and attended Catholic Junior College, completed undergraduate work at a Methodist college where she discovered two different histories of the Protestant Revolt /Reformation. From this experience she began a quest for the TRUTH in the Roman Catholic Church. She continues to seek the TRUTH of many issues. While reading a book by Carlo Corretto she discovered a new manta. "Love must transcend all truth." This has been transformational and life changing for her. Wanda continues her quest for TRUTH and discernment regarding ministry and the way Sophia will lead her as a Roman Catholic Woman Priest. email@example.com
|Pat Sandall's ministry as a Roman Catholic Womanpriest has evolved into what she calls an "itinerant priesthood." Over time Pat has made herself available to groups in the western region who truly want to celebrate Eucharist with a womanpriest but do not have a womanpriest in their area. Upon request, she will travel to celebrate liturgy with these communities. In addition, Pat is the program coordinator for the western region, she is a member of the national media committee and she hosts the national and international group communications networks. Pat holds a master's degree in Religious Studies from Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles. She also holds a doctorate in Theology from Barry University in Miami Shores. She served the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for more than twenty years as a catechist, religious education director and pastoral associate. Her areas of interest and activism include social justice issues and feminist studies. She and her husband, Joe, have four adult children and two grandchildren. They divide their time between Carlsbad and Santa Barbara California. She can be ontacted at firstname.lastname@example.com.
|Irene Scaramazza was born in western Pennsylvania. She entered a religious congregation and was a Catholic sister for 21 years. Irene has been involved in various ministries: education (teaching and administration); community mental health counseling; preceptor for Doctoral students enrolled in Marriage and Family Therapy program; retreat and spiritual director, hospice chaplaincy, and presider for home church and other local groups in Columbus, Ohio. Irene has a Master of Divinity degree from Weston School of Theology, a Doctor of Ministry degree from Boston University, Marriage and Family Therapy certification from Kantor Family Institute. Irene is currently completing a year-long Residency Program in Clinical Pastoral Education and plans to use it in hospice ministry.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
|Mary Ann McCarthy Schoettly holds Masters Degrees in Theology, Administration and Supervision, and Science. She also holds certificates in Pastoral Care and Spiritual Direction. Mary Ann is a life-long teacher – in high school classrooms, colleges, religious education programs (CCD, Confirmation, RCIA, Renew 2000), Stephen Ministry and retreat work. Mary Ann currently pastors Sophia Inclusive Catholic Community, in Sussex County, NJ, volunteers as a Spiritual Caregiver with the Chaplain's Office at Newton Memorial Hospital, leads a Spirituality Group for Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services, and facilitates a small faith-sharing community. Mary Ann lives in Northwest New Jersey. She was married for twenty eight years, is now single, and has three adult children and two delightful granddaughters. She is active in RCWP, CTA, VOTF, and the Sparta Ecumenical Council. email@example.com
|Irene Senn "My journey to ordination began many years ago but, of course, 'women cannot be priests,' so I allowed myself to veer away from the path, most likely because at that point there was no path. However it seems that my whole life has prepared me for ordination, even when there was not an apparent path. Following the prompting of the Spirit I earned an MDiv degree from St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee in 1992. That same Spirit, which always leads one into the unknown, guided me during the 20-plus years that I served in justice and peace ministry with a congregation of women religious. And, by its raising a recurring question over a period of several years, I finally was able to discern the voice of the Spirit who has been so very patient with me, allowing me to come to this awareness at the right time. The journey continues, still into the unknown, but I continue to trust the leadership of the Spirit." Irene and Bob are parents of four adult children and grandparents of eight wonderfully energetic young people.
|Martha Sherman grew up in St. Charles, MO, across the street from her parish and school. The School Sisters of Notre Dame strongly influenced her during elementary and high school. After graduating from St. Louis University with BA in English and Theology, she entered the SSNDs. Though she left after just four years, she continued to teach in an SSND run school for eight more years. For the past 17 years she and her partner, Marie, have owned and operated Camp America Campground in Salem, SD. They consider this a ministry of hospitality. She is currently pursuing her MTh through Global Ministries University and doing CPE with the hope of becoming a certified chaplain.
|Dorothy Shugrue was born in Providence RI and has lived in Connecticut since 1962. Dorothy is a former member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, a graduate of Emmanuel College, Southern Connecticut State University, Antioch University and Drew University. Dorothy taught school in her early relgious life and serve as a chaplain at the University of Bridgeport and St. Joseph College West Hartford. Since 1986 Dorothy has worked in the field of Behavioral Health and Addiction Services with a particular focus on adolescents, young adults and young pregnant women. Dorothy continues this ministry today as she builds a presence as a Roman Catholic Woman Priest in Connecticut. Presently living in Cheshire Dorothy is providing "Home Church" for groups with the hope of developing an inclusive parish community. The love and support of family and friends and many Sisters of Notre Dame continues to be a source of strength and joy as Dorothy forges ahead as part of this life giving movement in our Church today.
|Janice Sevre-Duszynska, is co-chair of the Ministry of Irritation of the Women's Ordination Conference, the oldest and largest organization working for ordination of a renewed priestly ministry in the Catholic Church. From teaching ESL to children from around the world she says she learned about the value of nonviolence. A local and national peace activist, she is a former Prisoner of Conscience for the School of the Americas Watch. She recently completed a Christian Peacemakers Team delegation into the Sonora Desert of Mexico and Tucson in solidarity with Mexican migrants as part of the Migrant Trail Walk. She writes essays, poetry, and plays, rides horses, keeps a lovely English cottage garden and enjoys being a Busia (grandmother) to her grandchildren and aunt to her nieces and nephews. email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Rosemarie Smead of Bedford, KY, is a couples and family therapist and has worked for 40+ years with adjudicated delinquent teens and youth with psychological and educational issues. She is a retired Distinguished Teaching and Service Professor after 26 years at Indiana University, and author of 6 books and videos on training therapists to work with youth. Rosemarie was a Discalced Carmelite nun before gaining a BA in Theology from Marquette University. A Master's in Psychometrics and Doctorate in Counseling Psychology and Family Therapy allowed her to live her vocation to serve the Church by helping young people and families learn more Christ-like ways to live. As a deacon,, Rosemarie will be working with sister priests to bring inclusive Christ-Sophia communities to the Louisville area, as well as helping young girls and women develop their full potential. Rosemarie was ordained a deacon on October 20, 2012. Email: email@example.com
|Mary Frances Smith I am a registered nurse who has worked in psychiatry for thirty-five years, in staff and in leadership positions. My husband of thirty-two years is my strongest advocate in all my endeavors. I have three adult sons, an adult stepdaughter, and one grandchild. I earned my Master of Arts Degree in Theology from The College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minnesota.. On May 4, 2008, I was ordained a Roman Catholic woman deacon. It has been as a Roman Catholic laywoman that I have always experienced the Church, the powerful social institution that framed my spiritual life from my birth. My belief in the progress of women in the Roman Catholic Church is very deep and strong. It is my joy to stand with women and men who bring life and growth to the Church. firstname.lastname@example.com.
|Monica Kilburn-Smith, (M.T.S., Grad. Dip. Dance Therapy, B.A. Fine Arts) is a certified professional chaplain (Canadian Association of Spiritual Care), currently working as Spiritual Care Director/Chaplain in a hospice. Monica has two teen-aged daughters and lives in Calgary, Alberta (Canada), where she is the priest of St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Faith Community (www.saintbrigids.org). She is a trained Spiritual Director, Reiki Master and Healing Touch Practitioner, and is now studying for her Doctor of Ministry degree. Monica is passionate about creative work in the intersections of spirituality, pastoral care, liturgy and the arts. She is committed to the development of healthy faith communities and to the empowering of women in claiming their wisdom, beauty and agency as beloveds of God. Monica can be emailed at firstname.lastname@example.com.
|Linda Spear was born in Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada in 1940 and raised in Winnipeg by her adoptive parents, Jack and Ena Spear. After completing high school and a BA she entered the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary where she remained for five years, completing her novitiate and teaching junior and senior high school. After completing a BEd and and MA in medieval history at University of Manitoba, she taught high school for another two years and then began studies for a Licentiate in Medieval Studies at the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto, and a PhD in medieval studies at University of Toronto. Thesis topics were: Aelred of Rievaulx and Julian of Norwich, Meditation Techniques in the Twelfth Century and The Treatment of Sexual Sin in Irish Latin Penitential Literature. After completing her studies in Montréal, Linda taught for many years at the high school and college levels in Montréal, at the same time completing an MA in Pastoral Theology in French at the Université de Montréal. During this time she served as a volunteer chaplain at the Newman Centre, McGill University , and President of Dignity, Montréal. Finally, after thirty years of teaching, she retired to the ski resort of Sutton in the Eastern Townships of Québec, southeast of Montréal. In Sutton she became involved in the ecumenical movement which sponsors discussion groups, guest speakers such as Gregory Baum, ecumenical celebrations including an annual Out Mass and ecumenical liturgies. Linda was ordained Oct. 9, 2010 , availing herself of the kind hospitality of Grace Anglican Church. She celebrates weekly Eucharists at Grace Church. She is available for pastoral counseling and sacramental ministry. She continues to be actively involved in the ecumenical movement in Sutton.
|Rod Stephens was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on May 25, 1974 for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and later was a priest of the Diocese of Orange when it split from LA in 1976. He was welcomed as a member of RCWP in 2008. Rod is Co-Founder and Co-Pastor with Jane Via of Mary Magdalene Catholic Community in San Diego, CA. Along with Jane, Rod is also member of the Immaculate Heart Community of Los Angeles and the Founder and Director of SACRA FORMA, a design studio since 1974 for architecture, graphics, and liturgical consultation. Rod is also one of the founding members of The Catholic Worker in Orange County which feeds and houses 125 homeless people a night and the Development Chair of Housing Works, a non-profit established to create housing options that promote, with respect and dignity, sustainable, environmentally sensitive, affordable communities that provide equal and fair access to housing and human services for people with limited income. Rod lives in Irvine with his partner of twenty five years, Howard Seller, Professor Emeritus at Cal State University, Fullerton.
|Mary Theresa Streck of Menands, NY, began her life in ministry as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) and continued her journey with these strong women for 18 years. Mary Theresa left the CSJs to continue a life of service with Jay Murnane, her marriage partner for 20 years. In 1978, Mary and Jay created the Ark After School Program in a public housing project in Troy, NY. In 2001 she was one of the founding members of the Ark Community Charter School in Troy continuing her ministry to the low-income community in Troy. Mary Theresa earned a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the Sage Colleges and is currently a Doctor of Ministry candidate with Global Ministries University. Mary Theresa was ordained a deacon on June 22, 2013 and a priest on September 15, 2013. She is a member of the Inclusive Catholic Community of Albany, NY, a community of equals that meets regularly to support each other's ministries to the local and global community. firstname.lastname@example.com
|Bernadyne Sykora has longed to be at the altar to celebrate the liturgy of the Eucharist throughout her life. In her early adult life she spent five years in the Maryknoll community. After leaving there, she taught in various school districts in the state of Minnesota for 25 years, and earned a master's degree in education of children with special needs. She is currently taking classes from Global Ministries University in theology. She is on the leadership team of the Community of Mary Magdalene, First Apostle in St Cloud MN, which is pastored by RCWP member Mary Smith. Working on the leadership team has afforded her with a view of the feminine Godde who gives her much comfort and joy. Bernadyne was married to Don for 49 years before his death, and together they raised four children; she has seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. email@example.com
|Kim Sylvester, born and raised in Maine, now makes her home with Robert Rinfret, her French-canadian husband, in British Columbia. Since ordination she leads LIVING WORD Inclusive Faith Community, and is active with other clergy women (various churches) in a meditation group, in public coffee shop ministry; plans are underway for leading a women's spirituality & prayer circle. She has worked in many areas of the arts, mostly teaching at college and university levels: history of art, architecture, and culture. After she accepted a call to use her musical/vocal skills in the francophone liturgy program being developed post-Vatican II in the archdiocese of Quebec, Kim was active in the liturgy training program for ten years and is still imbued with desire to continue to teach and share this learning, especially in today's Church climate of returning to the past. In a non-specific way, her call to priesthood came early, after growing up in the Baptist church! Kim entered the RC church at 19 and continued to desire to follow Jesus. "I didn't know exactly how it would develop in my life, but was confident that God would show me!" Now as a very happy womanpriest, she is a grandmother of five, still maintains her music teaching studio, and is a determined supporter of justice for women in all areas of life.
|Suzanne Thiel is a woman of actions not words and has worn many hats including associate of a religious womens' congregation, eucharistic minister, author of the Inventory of Habilitation Programs for Mentally Handicapped Adults, high school and college educator, and board member of several non-profits organizations serving: the mentally ill, dyslexic children, catholic schools, developmentally disabled adults, to name a few, and is currently also a neighborhood emergency (disaster response) team member. Suzanne, a native Oregonian, is married to Bruce for the past 34 years. They have three young adult sons and no grandchildren yet. Suzanne has a MA in Education and additional graduate hours in counseling and psychology. She is Jesuit-trained in theology and philosophy from the University of Santa Clara. Her priestly ministries include: hospital chaplaincy, volunteer ministry at several assisted living facilities and a women's prison, home visits to the sick and elderly and the shared administrative ministry of RCWP. firstname.lastname@example.com
|Michael Tompkins September 29, 2010
Feast of St. Michael the Arch Angel, my patron
Before the sun burned bright
And rivers flowed,
I called you each by name…
Four years ago I met with Woman Priest, Olivia Doko. She introduced me to the process developed by Roman Catholic Women Priests (RCWP) for ordination to priesthood. She was very candid that RCWP is primarily committed to ordaining women, but that they would consider a "few good men"!
Like many of my women peers, I have felt called to the priesthood since early childhood. Unlike them, I was accepted into Roman Catholic seminaries—three of them before I was twenty-six years of age. I failed to thrive in all three, the fault always being mine. I was haunted by "many are called, but few are chosen."
At fifty-six years of age, RCWP has given me the opportunity to explore and discern this calling. I have been wholeheartedly encouraged by my religious community, The Immaculate Heart of Mary. I have studied for three years and worked under the mentorship of woman priest, Suzanne Dunne. I have had the luxury and privilege to serve as deacon in Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community, pastored by Jane Via, Rod Stephens, Nancy Corran, and an active community of Christians committed to a church that strives to include everybody.
God willing and the creek don't rise, I will be ordained to priesthood in March 2011. I believe I am taking my place among the church we are all called to be. Please, pray for me.
Toni Tortorilla is a psychotherapist and spiritual director in Portland, Oregon with an MDiv from a Jesuit theological school. She has been in the counseling field for 27 years, landing there originally in an attempt to pursue the calling to ordination that had seemed to pursue her relentlessly since she was 5 years old.
She completed a B.A. in Theology just after the conclusion of Vatican II, and worked as a DRE during the early transition years. She taught high school religion, got fed up with the hierarchy and its position on women, followed other wise and transformative spiritual paths for 20 years, then came around full circle to the heart of the RC tradition once again. After returning, Toni soon found herself in a parish working with a team of people interested in reaching out to disenfranchised and alienated Catholics. When anti-gay initiatives came before the voters of Oregon she approached a sympathetic priest with the idea for an outreach ministry to the gay and lesbian community. He was enthusiastically receptive, and this pastoral experience became the launching pad for her application and acceptance into seminary. firstname.lastname@example.com
|Helen Moorman Umphrey is a farmer's daughter from Ohio. In her early teens she entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Dayton, Ohio, and was a member for 26 years. She has served as a teacher, principal, parish music minister, and in administration for the community. She is now married to Frank Umphrey for 32 years, and lives in Battle Ground, WA where she has served in the parish as a Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Associate for 25 years. She is now retired, but continues many Cathoic/Christian group processes from her home. She has a BA from the University of Dayton, and an MA in Pastoral Ministry from St. Mary's University in Winona, WI.
|Kathy Sullivan Vandenberg, MS, M.Div., is a feminist theologian, clinical therapist, and trauma specialist. She serves as an associate pastor at Good Shepherd Parrish, Nenno, WI. Ms. Vandenberg's current ministries include counseling, adjunct graduate educator, and hospital chaplain. For the past 30 years she was active in several ministries in her parish and archdiocesan committees. She has two grown daughters and one grandson. Kathy has been active in the women's ordination movement for over thirty years. email@example.com
Monique Gamache Venne first experienced a call to priesthood in fourth grade, when she wanted to be an altar server even though it wasn't allowed at the time. Not interested in becoming a nun, she pursued studies in the natural sciences, receiving a B.S. in Physics and an M.S. in Meteorology and working as a professional meteorologist. She was also active in her parish as a volunteer in various liturgical ministries and served as co-director of a women's Bible study. After being laid off from her last meteorological job, she decided to pursue her avocation and received an M.Div. from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in 2004. She helped found Compassion of Christ Catholic Community in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, and is serving as co-pastor with RCWP member Linda Wilcox. Monique sees herself as a person marginalized by the Catholic Church who ministers to others pushed to the margins by the Church. Interested in crafts all her life, she has won ribbons at the Minnesota State Fair for hand embroidery, garment sewing, and beadwork. She has been married since 1981 to her husband David and owns (or is owned by!) their cat Boris. She may be contacted at firstname.lastname@example.com.
|Jane Via
was born in St. Louis, Mo. in 1947. She has a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from Purdue University, a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Marquette University, and a J.D. from the University of San Diego. She is a county prosecutor in San Diego, California and a former professor of Religious Studies. Jane was ordained a deacon in 2004 on the Danube River and a priest in June of 2006 on the Bodensee off Swiss shores. Jane and friend, Rod Stephens, founded the first RCWP "parish" in November 2005. Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community meets weekly in San Diego, Ca. with an average attendance of 75.
Jane is also the convener of a small church community, whenever possible a participant in Call To Action, and is active in an ecumenical Christian Community. She shares her life with her husband of many years and their 2 college aged sons.
You can contact Jane through the "Contact US" link at the MMACC website: www.mmacc.org.
Gabriella Velardi Ward, BFA, AAS, B.Arch, M.Theo candidate – Gabriella has wanted to be a Roman Catholic Priest since the age of five. The institutional church's rejection, based on gender, has led her to work in a number of non-traditional fields for women. She is currently working as an architect. She has over twelve years of parish ministry including adult religious education, spiritual direction, organizing and leading retreats and teaching meditation and contemplative prayer. Her call also led her to explore entry into vowed religious life, studying and spending a number of years with the Cenacle sisters. She has also explored other faith traditions including the Episcopal Church, Buddhism and Native American spirituality. Her love of learning has led her to studying theology for five years in the seminary and the continuing study, formal and informally, of theology, spirituality and psychology. She has been a justice advocate for women's rights, animal rights, children's rights and student's rights. As a Roman Catholic WomenPriest, she currently has a sacramental ministry as well as a Spiritual Direction ministry specializing in survivors of child abuse. She is the mother of two and the grandmother of five.
Ruth Wasylenko I've wanted to be a priest since I was a little girl. Two grand uncles were priests and we used to have the Eucharist in our home from time to time. I was smitten. I spent 24 years in religious community thinking that was the next best thing. In the meantime I received a B.Ed from the University of Calgary and for the best part of my career taught special needs middle school teens and helped adapt the Religious Ed program to meet their needs. Further studies gave me a M.Div. from Newman Theological School in Edmonton, Canada, then a M.Th. from St. Stephen's College at the University of Alberta. Pastoral ministry in many areas has been an avocation over the years. Chronic illness has plagued me for the past 20 years and in the fall of 2011 I was diagnosed with an aggressive, inoperable form of lung cancer. God has called me to priesthood, so I am grateful to have the time to respond in Edmonton, Canada. email@example.com
Diane Smith Whalen, who lives in Olympia, WA, has experienced a call to priesthood since she was very young. She pursued a BA in Religious Studies and served as a Jesuit Volunteer. She then received her MSW and did social work for a few years before becoming a mother to two beautiful daughters. In 1984, Diane began companioning individuals and groups in spiritual direction and retreat work. She helped develop and staff a program for the formation and ongoing supervision of spiritual directors as well as initiating a group spiritual direction program. Besides receiving an MA in ministry and a D.Min in spiritual direction, she was active in her local parish, serving as a lector, cantor, teacher/facilitator and retreat leader.
Diane's desire is to minister with those who find themselves alienated from the RC Church. Her life is centered in and nourished by the Eucharist. She hopes to help others claim their baptismal priesthood and nourish each other through community worship and service. Diane loves people. She also enjoys singing, traveling and spending time with her wonderful spouse and great friends. You may contact her at firstname.lastname@example.com.
|Linda Wilcox I received my M.A. in Theology and Pastoral Ministry at the College of St. Catherine in 2005. I have been active in a variety of ministries through the years in my parish, including the Just Faith program. My husband and I belong to a small faith community. Most recently I have been involved in hospice, ministry to the homeless, and hospital chaplain ministry. I have been a Benedictine Oblate with St. Paul's Monastery in Maplewood, MN. for eight years. I became interested in women's ordination through exposure to the movement at the Call to Action gathering that I attend each year. I have a passion for cooking. As I discerned my call to the priesthood I felt a strong connection between planning and preparing a meal and the Benedictine value of hospitality. I now co-pastor Compassion of Christ Catholic Community in Minneapolis, MN where I gather at the table with community and celebrate the breaking of bread at an inclusive table where "all are welcome". Linda and her husband Russ are parents of four grown children.
|Cynthia Yoshitomi
Cynthia was born and raised in Los Angeles California. She grew up in an interfaith home, in a Jewish neighborhood and married into a Buddhist and Methodist family. She has served as a VISTA Volunteer, Human Relations Consultant and trainer in the Green Circle Program. That was were she learned the importance of listening, practicing stillness and social action as a Christian imperative. Twenty years were spent as a Roman Catholic Campus Minister at Occidental College, Alverno Catholic High School for Girls, and the University Catholic Center at UCLA. She brings to RCWP her love of the Catholic faith; her love of the Eucharist and her experience as an Interfaith and interracial leader community member within the Los Angeles area. She has served in many capacities in Parish Life. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Ministry from Global Ministries, having received her Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Education from Arizona State University. She is an imaginative Religious Educator, Preacher and Spiritual Director in Ventura, California. She is familiar with and honors the 12 step programs and processes. She received the Lavender Award from UCLA for her spiritual and secular support of the Gay Lesbian and Trans gendered Community in 2004. She also served as a Board member of the National Catholic Reporter. She was Ordained as a Deacon in 2011 and meets with her Intentional Community as a Sister community of the Church of the Beatitudes once a week. She also serves as a Deacon in the Church in Santa Barbara. She has been married to Jerry Yoshitomi for over 44 years and have two grown sons, David and Joseph and a beautiful daughter in law, Missy, who has given the family our first grandchild, Adelaide the Great.
|Katy Zatsick Katy Zatsick received her Masters of Pastoral Studies in 1997 from Loyola University-NO. Since then she has worked as a pastoral coordinator for the Diocese of Richmond 1995 -1996 and later served seven years in hospice chaplaincy ministry until her retirement in May 2009. While in Chicago she was active in peacemaking activities with MFSO and IVAW and continues to be a life-long peace activist. In 2005, she lived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center while her son recovered from being very seriously injured in Iraq. During her time at Walter Reed, she also ministered to other patients and their family members for eight months and was an advocate for their many needs. Katy now resides in Lexington KY and is currently active in ministry with the once-homeless through the Catholic Action Center. She also spends her time advocating for National Health Care. Katy says, "I await God's call to my next ministry after my ordination." email@example.com
|Barbara Zeman, M.A. – Theology – B.A. Communications, has been a writer/producer for over 20 years with emphasis on films and videos for personal enrichment, health-care education and spiritual enlightenment. During her many years in parish and university ministry in Chicago Barbara has worked shoulder to shoulder with people of all faiths to bring about a more inclusive and just world. Currently working on certification as a hospital chaplain she has completed two units of CPE in a large city hospital. Born and raised in a devout Roman Catholic family, Barbara knows the importance of prayer. For her prayer and the sacraments connect us with the unknown face of God and give us hope in today's secular world. firstname.lastname@example.com