Our Facilitators

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Alison Cornish

The Rev. Alison Cornish serves as a Program Consultant at the BTS Center, a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Maine, committed to preparing spiritual leaders for a climate-changed world. A Unitarian Universalist minister, Alison attended Andover Newton Theological Seminary in response to a felt sense of call directly from Earth to…

Aliya Hammond

Aliya Hammond is a Social Media Strategist, Trainer, Blogger, and Speaker. She specializes in social media management and marketing, social media training and coaching for small and large businesses, entrepreneurs, busy executives, and non-profit organizations. She is also the founder of Aliya Hammond Consulting, working alongside a fantastic team of…

Andrea Vettori

Andrea Vettori, MSN, CRNP is the founder and executive director of Sanctuary Farm Phila, a non-profit urban farm in North Philadelphia with a mission to improve health outcomes through the conversion of abandoned lots into spaces that promote health, wellbeing and safety.  Andrea has been a beekeeper for 13 years…

Ani Tuzman

Ani Tuzman is an award-winning poet, writing mentor, and author of The Tremble of Love: A Novel of the Baal Shem Tov and Angels on the Clothesline, A Memoir. Ani grew up on a back-road chicken farm, the daughter of Holocaust survivors. At the age of eight, she began writing to an invisible…

Ann Gibbons Phalen, PhD, CRNP, NNP

Ann Gibbons Phalen, PhD, CRNP, NNP, Dean of Cranaleith’s Community of Practice for Healthcare, has practiced nursing for over forty-five years.  Throughout her nursing career, Dr. Phalen has served as a bedside nurse, clinical specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse educator and researcher.  Her area of expertise is neonatal nursing.  Dr. Phalen…

Anne McCarthy, OSB

Anne McCarthy, OSB coordinates Benedictines for Peace in Erie, PA, and is active in a number of local coalitions addressing climate, peace and policy for racial justice. A former National Coordinator of Pax Christi USA (1991-1994), she leads retreats on nonviolence, Benedictine spirituality, feminism and contemplative sitting prayer. On staff…

Antoinette M. Reaves

Antoinette M. Reaves, MA, MTh, MEd, is the Director of Campus Ministry at Cabrini University.  Executive Coach and Researcher in DEIB from a Catholic and interfaith perspective.  Create innovative solutions to strengthen the organization’s diversity, inclusion, and cultural competencies.  Youth advocate.  First Executive Chairperson of the Havertown Youth Aide panel. …

Athena Dugan

Athena Dugan creates Labyrinths and one-of-a-kind jewelry and crafts. She is Volunteers Coordinator and Regional Representative with the Labyrinth Society. She hosts monthly online Handheld Labyrinth Walks, and is host of the blog/talk radio, Living Labyrinths. Athena is the founder of Walkers of the Labyrinth. Walkers of the Labyrinth creates…

Audrey Garrett

Audrey Garrett is an artist who practices meditation. She seeks to explore and encourage our connections to nature and to each other through sound meditation, movement, and visual art.

Barbara Bluejay Michalksi

Bluejay, aka Barbara Michalski, was given the name by her grandfather, Bill Thompson, late Chief Whippoorwill of the Unalachtigo (people near the ocean) Tribe of the Turkey Clan. She is a member of Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania (LNPA), and she has immersed herself in the activities of the Nation. Bluejay…

Bernadette Rudolph

Bernadette Rudolph, MA, MS constantly seeks to understand the deeper meaning of life.  Of particular interest to her is how the divine is woven through human lives.  She has an ear cocked and both eyes open for how the Spirit comes to us in the here and now and invites…

Bernard Weeks

Bernard Weeks is the creator and facilitator of the Empowerment through Self-Awareness Seminar.  He is a graduate of Springfield College, magna cum laude, and the University of Metaphysics, Bachelor of Metaphysical Science. Bernard is a retired human services professional with over forty years’ experience.  This includes five years as a…

Beth Flannery, RSM

Beth Flannery, RSM has experienced the transformative power of tears in times of joy and sorrow, despair and delight. She ministers as a spiritual director and supervisor of spiritual directors with extensive experience in campus ministry (university and secondary).  She holds a Masters in Pastoral Counseling and Certificate in Spiritual…

Boreta Singleton

Boreta A. Singleton, a native of Philadelphia, PA, is an African American ‘cradle Catholic.’  She taught in Catholic elementary and middle schools there and was the Director of the Office for Black Catholics for four years.  Boreta is presently  the Director of Faculty Formation at St. Peter’s Prep High School,…

Brenna McGinnis

Brenna McGinnis co-shepherds JUST Listening and  believes that we can use our creativity and collective wisdom to build communities & organizations that support the humans who are a part of them. She is a proven team leader and service designer with experience in the hospitality, non-profit and healthcare industries. As…

Cathy Maguire RSM

Catherine Maguire RSM, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, has over 20 years of experience in non-profit management, as well as program development and delivery. She facilitates retreats, days of reflection, and is a spiritual director. Cathy was the executive director of Siloam, a mind, body…

Christina Klaproth

Miss Christina has been teaching parent/child and preschool music classes in the greater Philadelphia area since 2018! Initially trained under Tammy Kerkunian of the award-winning Children’s Music Express, Christina has spent years developing her own flow and curriculum that she fuses with classic children’s music to create unique & engaging…

Christine Konopelski, SSJ

Sister Christine Konopelski is a Sister of St. Joseph trained as a Spiritual Director by the Sisters of Mercy at Cranaleith and the Sisters of St. Joseph at Francis House of Prayer.  Using various traditions – Ignatian, Salesian, Franciscan, etc – she helps people meet and deepen their relationship with…

Christine Marie Eberle

Christine Marie Eberle passionately connects Scripture, spirituality, and everyday life. She is the author of two books of daily meditations in the Ignatian tradition: Finding God in Ordinary Time and Finding God Abiding. After a 26-year career as a college campus minister, in 2019 Christine ended her tenure as Director…

Craig W. Giandomenico

Craig W. Giandomenico is Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Rosemont College. Formerly, he has been a theology instructor at Merion Mercy Academy and an adjunct lecturer at Gwynedd Mercy University. Born and bred in Philadelphia, he obtained his BA in Religious Studies from Temple University and both…

Dawn Hayward

Drawing inspiration from Catherine McAuley, Dawn Hayward is an experienced leader who understands the power of storytelling and “systems thinking” to effect profound, complex levels of change. She also has a proven commitment to the mission of the Sisters of Mercy, and a deep connection to Cranaleith. Prior to beginning…

Deidre Anderson PhD

Dr. Deidre “D” Anderson is an award-winning writer and leadership coach who travels the world inspiring people from all walks of life to break through barriers and achieve more than they ever dreamed possible. A sought-after motivational speaker and trainer, Dr. “D” is committed to helping others discover their purpose…

Duane A. Carter, EdD

Dr. Carter is the president of the Value Growth Group, which specialize in value enhancement and growth opportunities for organizations. His proven experience in strategy, business development, operations, organizational effectiveness, and finance helps organizations grow and improve product and services that lead to increased market value. Prior to leading the…

Ellen Birx

Ellen Birx is an authorized Zen teacher and Dharma successor of Roshi Robert Kennedy, SJ. She holds a PhD in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin and is Professor Emerita at Radford University. She is the author of several books including Selfless Love (Wisdom, 2014)…

Fred Magondu

Fred Magondu has been a member of the JUST Listening (JL) Core Team since 2017, shaping the direction of the work, creating workshops and facilitating numerous others. During his incarceration, Fred was also involved with other social justice organizations, (including Let’s Circle Up, Alternatives to Violence, Community Forgiveness & Restoration…

Gail Morrison-Hall

A Philadelphia native, Gail attended Tyler School of Art (Temple University) on full scholarship, graduating with a BFA and certification in education. She later graduated from Arcadia University with a MA ed +60 graduate credits. She spent the first part of her career as an art educator, helping K-8 students learn about…

Greg Williams

Greg Williams was an environmental educator in California, Ohio and Philadelphia for most of his thirty-year career as a teacher/administrator in elementary and middle school settings.  His retirement job is to try and make the world safer for his grandchildren and all the children he knew and taught.  Greg served…

Helen David Brancato, IHM

Sister Helen David Brancato, IHM studied portrait painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and a variety of visual art forms at The Tyler School of Art of Temple University.  Working as a painter, printmaker, and illustrator, she has exhibited professionally primarily in the Philadelphia and New York…

HMS Acoustic Band

Steve Hart – Song Writer, Guitar and Vocals Steve obtained his first guitar at age 11 and has never stopped playing since (a very long time!), A native of England, he first developed as a performer while studying music at the University of Durham and regularly playing the folk scene…

Honora Nicholson, RSM

Sr. Honora Nicholson, RSM is a member of the pastoral-services team at RENEW International, a Catholic publishing house.  She enjoys her current work, because of her love of parish ministry and the power of small groups. In addition to certification in spiritual direction and leading retreats, she volunteers with various…

Janice Edwards, RSM

Janice Edwards, RSM, is a Sister of Mercy who loves Monhegan Island and the God it reveals. Reading and praying with the mystic and scientist Teilhard de Chardin shaped her deep affection for Earth and God. She holds a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Doctor of…

Jim O'Neill

Jim was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia in the 1950’s and attended Catholic grade school, high school and college. He was a pole vaulter in high school and college and again as a Master Athlete in his early fifties. Jim earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1979 from…

Joanne Castner

Joanne Castner resides in Lancaster, PA. She is a retired counselor with a background in family therapy. Joanne is an Associate with the Sisters of Mercy, and recently graduated from Cranaleith’s program in Spiritual Direction.   After joining an immersion group last year in El Paso and Mexico, she has also…

John Buettler

John was a teacher (Religion, Latin, Psychology, English) at Holy Ghost Prep in Bensalem for forty-five years, during part of which, he chaired the religion department. At present, he is involved in his parish as a cantor, a member of the RCIA team and a member of the Faith Formation…

Johnny Zokovitch

Johnny Zokovitch is the Executive Director of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace and justice movement. Previously, Johnny worked in Brussels with Pax Christi International as the Senior Communications Officer. For nearly fifteen years, he lived at and co-directed the Gainesville (FL) Catholic Worker House, an intentional community serving…

Josephine Garnem

Josephine Garnem is an advocate and grassroots community mobilizer with over twenty-three years of extensive international and domestic experience. She is passionate about racial equity and justice and immigration. Josephine was born in Sierra Leone and has lived and worked in the Middle East, Sweden, Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, Haiti, Pakistan…

Karen Doyle, SSJ

Karen M. Doyle SSJ, D. Min is a Sister of St. Joseph of Philadelphia,  She has been enjoying the ministry of spiritual direction, supervision, formation of spiritual directors, retreat ministry and Ignatian Spirituality for over thirty years.  She has ministered to spiritual directors in the United States, Canada, Philippines, Denmark…

Kathleen McAlpin, RSM

Kathleen McAlpin, RSM, has served as a spiritual director and retreat director for more than 30 years. She is currently an adjunct faculty member for spiritual direction formation programs at Creighton University in Nebraska, Neumann College in Aston, Pa. and at Cranaleith.

Kei Okada

Kei Okada is a retired hospice chaplain, a writer and an artist.  Born in New York and raised in Kanazawa, Japan, he came back to New York thirty-nine years ago to study at the School of Visual Arts and spent eight years in visual and performing arts before entering Union…

Kelly Denton-Borhaug, PhD

Kelly Denton-Borhaug, PhD, is a professor at Moravian University in Global Religions and Peace and Justice Studies.  Not long after 9/11/2001, she began researching and writing about the direct, structural and cultural violence of war and militarization in the United States and wider world.  Her attention turned to military moral…

Kevin Barr

Kevin Barr has had a passion for Male Spirituality since 2001 when he attended a Men’s Rite of Passage (MROP) with Franciscan priest, Richard Rohr, and 110 men from around the world. His work with men seeking wholeness/oneness has continued over the years including the six years he was Director…

Lea Tran

Lea Tran started her humble life in America as a “boat” person” refugee in 1980.  Her parents as well as her own experiences escaping Vietnam have taught her to transform adversity into opportunity, trauma into triumph.  She renewed her faith and learned to rebuild her life from the harrowing journey.  Now she…

Lisa Mehalick

Lisa Mehalick holds a BS in Psychology from Kutztown University, an MA in Theology and a certificate in Pastoral Ministry from Villanova University where she also worked as a Campus Ministry Intern. She completed the Spiritual Direction Formation Program at Cranaleith Spiritual Center in 2019. Lisa’s professional experience includes serving…

Mandy Carrier, RSM

Mandy Carrier RSM is a Sister of Mercy of the Americas and campus minister at Merion Mercy Academy.  She recently completed a Master of Arts in theology at Villanova University.  Before that, she worked on social justice concerns at Mercy International Association-Global Action at the United Nations. Mandy enjoys creating,…

Maria DiBello, RSM

Maria DiBello, RSM is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Her experience includes adult faith formation, pastoral ministry, spiritual direction, and retreat ministry. She also has experience in elementary and secondary education. For many years, Maria provided pastoral leadership in a rural Southern community that was…

Marie Michele Donnelly, RSM

Marie Michele Donnelly, RSM is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. She has extensive experience offering preached retreats to parishes, school faculties, ministry groups, ecumenical groups and religious communities. In addition, she is a frequent presenter for parent and parish groups. Marie Michele has been a…

Marisa Guerin, PhD

Marisa Guerin, Ph.D., is a writer, teacher, and retired consultant to nonprofit, business, and religious organizations. She is a former Cranaleith Board member and has conducted many Work and Spirit programs at Cranaleith. Earlier in her career she served as the Director of the US Bishops’ Office of Youth Ministry…

Marissa Jacobs

Marissa Jacobs is an Environmental & Conservation Educator.  She blends the arts with science in order to bring glory to God’s Kingdom by teaching others about the wonderful natural world that God created and how to be stewards of that creation. Marissa is an international speaker, professional development facilitator, award-winning nature photographer…

Mary Elizabeth Looby, GNSH

Sr. Mary Elizabeth Looby is a Grey Nun of the Sacred Heart. She holds a BA in History and Political Science from D’Youville College; a M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Temple University. Her training for spiritual direction and retreat ministry was at Bon Secours Spiritual Center in MD. She added…

Mary Jo Pierantozzi

Mary Jo Pierantozzi, MS, was an Assistant Professor and the Program Coordinator for Undergraduate Education until she retired from Gwynedd Mercy University in May 2023. She has been in the field of Education for more than fifty-five years, twenty-one of them full-time at GMercyU. In May 2023, Mary Jo was…

Mary Pat Garvin, RSM

Mary Pat Garvin, RSM is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.  She earned an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in the theology and psychology from the Gregorian University, where she was also a faculty member from 1994 to 2001.  A lifelong educator, Mary Pat has taught at the elementary,…

Mary Trainer, RSM

Sister Mary Trainer, RSM, is the founding director of Cranaleith Spiritual Center. She earned a Ph.D. in social psychology from Boston University and a certificate in spiritual guidance from Shalem Institute. Mary is also the founder of Mercy International Center in Dublin, Ireland, where the charism of mercy continues to…

Maureen O'Connell, PhD

Maureen H. O’Connell is an Associate Professor of Christian Ethics in the Department of Religion and Theology at La Salle University. She holds a BA in History from Saint Joseph’s University and a PhD in Theological Ethics from Boston College. She authored Compassion: Loving Our Neighbor in an Age of Globalization (Orbis Books,…

Michael O'Neill McGrath, OSFS

Brother Mickey McGrath is an artist, author, storyteller, and retreat director who currently lives and works in Camden, NJ. A native of Philadelphia, Brother Mickey has been a member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for forty-seven years. After receiving his MFA in Painting from the American University…

Michele Vincent Fisher, CSFN

Sr. Michele is a native of Schuylkill County, born in Pottsville, PA, and raised in Port Clinton, PA.   She attended Nativity BVM High School in Pottsville and completed undergraduate studies in psychology, Spanish and secondary education at Chestnut Hill College. She later received an MA in Theology and Ministry from…

Michelle Rothwell

Michelle is a practicing Fine Artist, Designer, Educator, and Author with over 30 years experience as a creative professional. Her artwork has been shown in national and international juried shows, group exhibitions, and in solo shows. As an Associate Professor of Art, Media, and Design, she developed college degree programs…

Michelle Sherman

Michelle Sherman (she/her) is the 50th Anniversary Coordinator for Pax Christi USA. She earned a BA from Saint Mary’s College and an MA in Theology with a certificate in Pastoral Ministry from Villanova University. She completed the Spiritual Direction Formation Program at Cranaleith Spiritual Center in 2019.  Her previous professional…

Mike Poulin

Mike Poulin works as a member of the justice team for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. He also serves on the core committee for the Institute Office of Anti-Racism and Racial Equity. Prior to joining the Mercy team, Mike worked in Catholic parish ministry and social justice education.…

Nicholas Collura

Nicholas Collura is a spiritual director and visiting retreat director at St. Raphaela Center in Haverford, PA.  A board-certified healthcare chaplain and Enneagram teacher, he also co-coordinates EcoPhilly, a faith-based organizing initiative dedicated to creation care in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He earned a Master of Divinity and trained as a spiritual director…

Pamela Flynn

Pamela Flynn is a mixed media artist.  Her work is founded in social/cultural issues.  Flynn holds an MFA from New Jersey City University and is a Professor of Art and the Fine Arts Coordinator at Holy Family University, Philadelphia. She is an exhibiting artist of the Ceres Gallery, NYC and…

Patricia Griffin

Patricia Griffin, PhD is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Holy Family University and Senior International Research Consultant for the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, Region of East Africa.  Prior to joining HFU, she held administrative appointments and lecturer positions at Saint Joseph’s University, Boston College, and Cabrini…

Patrick Saint-Jean, SJ, PSYD

Dr. Saint-Jean is a Jesuit Regent. He graduated from undergraduate education at the Universite Victor Segalen de Bordeaux in France and received his graduate degree in Psychoanalysis from the Parisian Ecole Lacanienne de Psychanalyse in Paris and his PsyD from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. Dr. Saint-Jean has studied,…

Phaedra D. Blocker, DMin

Rev. Dr. Phaedra D. Blocker is a preacher, teacher, consultant, retreat leader, and singer. Founder and Principal of Word&Wisdom, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations (particularly clergy and congregations) to move toward wholeness and actualize their potential as agents of change and shalom in the world. She is also the…

Phyllis Strock

Phyllis Strock is a practitioner of sound healing. Using Tibetan bowls and crystal bowls, Chant and sound, she leads people to inner peace and discovery. Her perspective is informed by her experience in counseling, spirituality and writing. She has worked with diverse populations, both individually and in groups, including cancer…

Rasheeda Hastings

Rasheeda Hastings is a Spiritual Director and labyrinth walk facilitator who resides in Philadelphia. Rasheeda was initially drawn to the Labyrinth as a calming meditation in movement. She became a Certified Labyrinth Facilitator through Veriditas, a non-profit organization that provides training and support of labyrinth facilitators worldwide.  She is a…

Ruth Picozzi

Ruth Picozzi has led historic tours of Cranaleith and has a strong interest in the local roots of the Women’s Suffrage Movement.  She coordinates the Gift Shop at Cranaleith and has been a long time member of the Somerton community.

Scott Hutchinson

The agape life of Jesus has sung a love song to Scott Hutchinson as long as he can remember. Scott is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, serving in local congregations for more than three decades.  Scott’s life and ministry embrace the transforming power of forgiveness, a…

Sharon Browning

Sharon  Browning co-shepherds JUST Listening, a collaborative social enterprise fostering personal and  social change and transformation through the practice and teaching of mindful, equitable, and just communication skills. The work of JUST Listening is twofold: the facilitation of training workshops, retreats, and ‘difficult’ conversations, focusing primarily on those working with…

Stephen G. Hart

Steve is an Executive Coach with The Professional Development Group, LLC, and is also co-founder, Chief Learning Officer, and Senior Consultant with the Agile HR Consortium, LLC.  In both organizations, Steve coaches inspiring leaders, develops high performing teams, and helps his clients to create great places to work. Prior to…

Sue MacQueen

Sue is the Campus Engagement Coordinator at the Scott Arboretum and is a forest bathing instructor. Prior to coming to the Arboretum, she was the Executive Director of University City Green in West Philadelphia for eight years. She also held the position of Land Manager at Awbury Arboretum in Germantown…

Sue Trembeth

Sue has been creating art for as long as she can remember. She was an art major in high school but ended up being a nurse for over forty years. Throughout her nursing career, she continued to be creative and used her art as a form of self-care. She is…

Tiffany Cooper

Tiffany Cooper began her journey with yoga in 1997 while living in Santa Monica, California. After moving to Yardley, Pennsylvania she found a supportive community of yoga practitioners and decided she wanted to share the many gifts yoga has given to her with other people. She is certified in Vinyasa…

Timothy Simmons

Tim Simmons is a musician, educator, writer, and artist who lives in Havertown. He is the music teacher at DV Friends in Paoli, Pa, and is also the author of Serafine Finds a Song, a storybook and curriculum guide that inspires readers of all ages to find their own song through…

Tylia Barnes

Tylia joined the Sisters of Mercy, South Central in March 2011. On September 24, 2012, she answered her call, making covenant as a Mercy Associate on Mercy Day.  Currently, she serves as Executive Director of Association and is directly responsible for more than 3,000 associates across the United States, Central…