Adina Meyer is a longtime practitioner of Centering Prayer. She has been a member of several 12 Step programs and in a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer as an 11th Step practice. She is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity with a focus on spiritual direction at Portland Seminary.
Alan Harvey is a retired teacher with a master’s degree in education and fellow member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church. The Arts have always fueled his teaching and his passions. Mixing poetry with a spiritual message makes perfect sense. Together with Beth Prevo, they have created multiple spiritual walks around the Tacoma area. Writing haiku is a daily practice and a way to see the major and minor miracles happening around us every day. Coming to the University of Puget Sound as a junior, he has been a Washington resident since 1977.
Amelia Carroll works and studies in the healing arts professions as a counselor, chaplain, death educator, spiritual director, and interfaith celebrant. She creates celebrations and rituals honoring your stories and bringing meaning to your joys and sorrows.
Anatha Attar, M.A.C., is a certified Washington State Counselor specializing in creative and spiritual growth. She is a speaker, educator, artist and author of two books, as well as an avid traveler.
Angie Wolle, an ordained United Methodist pastor, serves as the Vice President for Mission Integration for Providence Health and Services. Angie has an M.Div, an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, and is certified in Spiritual Direction.
Ann Garrido is an Associate Professor of Homiletics at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis. A popular speaker and author, Ann’s book Let’s Talk About Truth took a second place award from the Catholic Media Association in 2021. For more about Ann, see her website: anngarrido.com
Bee Jay Mar has been using visual cues in personal devotions for many years. Her grab-n-go worship focus is simple and elegant. She takes delight in creating worship focus centers for group meetings as well.
Beth Amsbary and Tamara Roberts are a teaching team. Tamara is a spiritual director, therapist and minister in the United Church of Christ. Beth is a storyteller, song leader, and weaver of community experiences. Together they explore spirit through creative pathways.
Beth Prevo holds two degrees from Seattle University: a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in Pastoral Studies. She considers herself to be a lifelong learner and seeker of God.
Beth Prevo’s home church is Immanuel Presbyterian in Tacoma’s North End. She holds master’s degrees in Pastoral Studies (2019) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (2001), both from Seattle University. Retired from teaching since 2018, Beth is Parish Associate at Immanuel, where she’s involved with visiting the home-bound and working with the Deacon Board, facilitating spiritual retreat mornings, working with the new members’ groups, and teaching others how they can advocate in Olympia. She’s excited to be facilitating at the Priory again, this time in collaboration with her dear friend Alan Harvey.
Betsey Beckman, MM is the founder of The Dancing Word, a ministry of dance, storytelling, spiritual direction, retreats and video artistry. She directs the Movement Ministry at her home parish, St. Patrick in Seattle, and works closely with Abbey of the Arts to create contemplative embodiment resources.
Bob Delastrada is commissioned to present Centering Prayer by Contemplative Outreach. He graduated from the Christos Center for Spiritual Direction and Formation, and recieved the Master’s degree in Theology and Spirituality from St. Catherine’s College.
Bob Delastrada is commissioned to present Centering Prayer by Contemplative Outreach. He graduated from the Christos Center for Spiritual Direction and Formation, and received the Master’s degree in Theology and Spirituality from St. Catherine’s College.
C. Susan Davis is a licensed mental health counselor, a certified sage-ing leader in Sage-ingR International, has a Gerontology certificate from Worcester State College in Massachusetts, an MA in Applied Behavioral Science from Bastyr University in Washington, is a minister in the Seminary of Spiritual Peacemaking, a graduate of the school Terrain of Essence and currently studying to be a practitioner in this school. Susan facilitates lively discussions and uses exercises designed to encourage inner exploration and movement toward Wholeness.
Michael Stein-Ross founded Cascadia Forest Therapy in 2017 after earning his Nature and Forest Therapy Guide certification from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Since then he has guided over 200 forest bathing sessions across the Puget Sound region. Over the last two years he co-facilitated Cascadia Forest Therapy’s transformation into a non-profit, organized as a member self-directed co-op, to advance the culture of nature connection practices and support the regional community of forest therapy guides. Michael also holds a MEd. in Learning and Technology and teaches humanities at Maritime High School. Denise McDermott, MSW, LICSW is a licensed…
Cathy Raymond is an artist and a spiritual director. She uses art in its many wonderful forms to explore the depth of the heart through individual and group spiritual direction and through faith-based retreats.
Cecily Markham is a national award-winning poet, painter, art installation and performance artist, and integrated arts educator. Cecily has presented poetry programs and arts presentations across Washington State and bi-coastally with other venues in California and Virginia. In May of 2020, Cecily had her art installation, Bride In The Wilderness, and painting, Playing with Light, published with https://avant-garde-art.com/art-under-quarantine and publication of her poem Mist, with the WA State Poet Laureate project, Poems to Lean On-https://wapoetlaureate.org/poetry-to-lean-on/. *A previous participant of one of Cecily’s poetry programs writes, “… it was magical. Deeply moving and transformative, so creative!”
Christine Eberle is a retreat facilitator, public speaker, and author of Finding God in Ordinary Time. A campus minister in higher education for 26 years, Christine’s passion is connecting spirituality, Scripture, and everyday life. Her next book, Finding God Abiding, will be published in June. You can follow her at christine-marie-eberle.com.
Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, REACE is the founder and director of AbbeyoftheArts.com, a virtual monastery and global community exploring contemplative practice, creative expression, and ways to nourish an earth-cherishing consciousness. She is a poet, spiritual director, teacher, pilgrimage guide, and author of 20 books on spirituality and the arts including three collections of poetry. Christine has lived on the west coast of Ireland since 2012 with her husband John. She is a Benedictine oblate with the St. Placid Priory community.
Chuck Ramey is a lay priest in the Soto Zen tradition of Buddhism. He is the primary teacher at the South Sound Zen Center based in Tacoma. Chuck is affiliated with the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center in Northern California.
Darcie A. Richardson, Ph. D. is a Personal Life Coach with an expertise in Depth Psychological Practices. She conducts workshops, speaking engagements and maintains a private practice in Olympia, WA.
David Robinson is a pastor in Cannon Beach, Oregon, and a Benedictine Oblate of Mount Angel Abbey. He is the author of seven books on Christian spirituality, including Cloud Devotion: Through the Year with The Cloud of Unknowing (Paraclete Press, 2020). To learn more about David, please visit his website https://waterpaths.org/
Debbie Carmody has retired after 28 years in pastoral ministry at Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, KS. She has a Masters in Religious Education from Loyola-New Orleans. She and her husband just celebrated 50 years of marriage and they dream of one day staying in a treehouse.
Denise McDermott, MSW, LICSW is a licensed therapist who has lived in the Puget Sound area for most of her life. After seeing positive results early on in her practice when working with clients in natural settings, she sought to create more ways to incorporate nature in all aspects of her practice and her life. Raising her children as avid ‘birders’, organizing a community garden in her neighborhood, presenting on the importance of the child/nature connection to teacher & parent groups, taking High School Students on Field Trips to the local Wildlife Refuge, and prioritizing time for herself in the abundant…
Dmitri Andreyev was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and came to the United States in 1991 to study traditional iconography under his father, Vladislav Andrejev, master iconographer and founder of the Prosopon School of Iconology. While living in New York City, Dmitri established the Prosopon School New York City Studio. As an instructor of the school, he regularly leads iconography workshops around the country.
A cantor, chant specialist, and Director of Music Ministries and the “Explore Celtic Spirituality”series at Church of the Holy Spirit (Episcopal) on Vashon Island, Erin brings her love and knowledge of mythic Ireland, sacred and poetic text, and music to this workshop. Visit Jane and Erin at chantsandplants.com
The Reverend Evan Clendenin is an Episcopal priest, currently serving as interim with Holy Spirit, Vashon WA. He has worked as a horse farmer, gardener, educator, and pastor in Episcopal and Lutheran congregations. He enjoys assorted tinkering with food, various materials and crafts, boatbuilding, trees and gardening, and shares workshop hospitality at The Boat and Table Workshop, boatandtable.org. He lives with his wife Amy, and their dog, near an old cemetery in Tumwater, WA. They delight in multiple daily walks and squirrel chases.
Evelyn Wemhoff is a presenter of retreats and workshops at Shalom at the Monastery in Mt. Angel, Oregon that offers personal and spiritual growth programs. She is a spiritual director, retired licensed counselor, and was formerly director of WomanSpirit Center in the Seattle area that offered programs for women seeking to develop their lives. She has led Intensive Journal Programs for more than 30 years.
Fr. Damian of Holy Transfiguration Monastery has been painting icons for his own monastery and for churches and homes around the world for the last 27 years. He began teaching the process at the request of those who felt drawn to the depth and beauty of an art form and wanted to understand more about the spirituality and theology.
Gloria Kempton is an online and Seattle writing coach, the author of eleven books and hundreds of stories and essays, and a former book and magazine editor. She’s currently the Catholic Chaplain at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Monroe, WA and a writing instructor teaching The Hero’s Journey to incarcerated veterans at the Regional Justice Center in Kent, WA.
Gordon Coffey is a recovered alcoholic and drug addict with over 40 years of sobriety. He has been practicing Centering Prayer for 35 years; he is a founding member of Contemplative Outreach Northwest and a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer.
Jamie Deering is a long-time leader of contemplation groups and retreats inspiring times of quiet that lead to deep reflection and contemplative action in the world. She particularly values curiosity in sitting in life’s questions. Through spiritual coaching and service in the community, she seeks with others to create a wiser kinder world. She brings her 30+ years of contemplative practice to our time together.
Jan Alkire has led retreats in parishes and at spirituality centers including The Priory Spirituality Center. She is the author of five books including her newest one: Seeking Christ Through Friendship.
After pursuing my studies in psychology, I taught and did research in several universities across the country. My experiences in and out of the classroom with children, adolescents, creative adults, and wise elders led me to appreciate the many parallels in our creative, psychological, and spiritual development. In recent years, I’ve been pursuing my own forms of creative expression through writing and art. My workshops are intended to help others see how their spiritual longings and creative expression often come from the same wellspring.
Jane Fleming, MPM, is a Spiritual Director/Grief and Loss Counselor. Jane has served in hospice and end-of-life care for the past 26 years, and is a spiritual director in Seattle. She is an experienced retreat facilitator and utilizes art and the creative process to promote spiritual growth and awareness.
Jane Valencia is a herbalist, nature instructor, and harper-storyteller. Jane loves helping others discover the wisdom, beauty, and practical knowledge for health and wellness found within medieval and folk healing traditions.Visit Jane and Erin at chantsandplants.com
Janet Rhodes, an inspiring teacher, has been studying and teaching non-violent communication (NVC) and Bible for many years. She has presented other classes at the Priory such as Finding Yourself in Transition.
Janice Ariza is a Saint Martin’s graduate with an Interdisciplinary degree in history and religious studies. Currently, Janice works as the Spirituality Center Coordinator for St. Placid. As a participating member of The Washington Museum Association for 10 years, she observed the depth of creativity in humanity. She served as Board President of The Karshner Museum in Puyallup supporting the Arts through educational events. Her interest is in the spirituality of the arts and how they replenish the soul through viewing, listening and experiencing is ongoing and an everyday part of her life.
Janice Lawry is a developmental psychologist whose workshops use writing and other means of creative expression as tools for personal exploration and transformation. Her work brings to light the parallels in our psychological, creative, and spiritual growth throughout our lives.
Jeff King is a Certified Enneagram Teacher with The Narrative Enneagram. His mission is to promote personal development and spiritual formation through training and coaching individuals, couples, leaders and organizations to apply the wisdom of the Enneagram. Jeff hosts the podcast, Nine Lives with Jeff King. Jeff and his wife live in Lawrence, KS, and have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. He has over 40 years of pastoral ministry experience.
Jerry DeVore is a licensed psychologist, a graduate of Robert Moss’s dream master training, an approved consultant in clinical hypnotherapy and a board certified biofeedback therapist. He has a regular meditation practice and facilitates dream work for personal growth.
Jessika is a writer and poet, global college professor, film director and producer. She has walked with St. Ignatius of Loyola for more than 30 years, including doctoral studies at Seattle University, and has participated in multiple Ignatian retreats including the 30-day Spiritual Exercises. She has traveled to many of the Ignatian pilgrimage sites including Loyola, Montserrat, La Storta and Rome. She has served as a Chaplain at Harborview Medical Center.
Joann Terranova is an experienced Catechist and adult Formation Leader for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The exploration of the power of stories and how they shape our lives is a theme that resonates in her life. Joann has a Masters in Adult Christian Community Development as well as a Masters in Pastoral Studies.
The facilitators for the day have life experience from each corner of the adoption triangle. JT Batsone placed a child for adoption, Sister Raphaela was placed for adoption as an infant, and Joann Terranova received 2 sons into her family through adoption. In addition each has a connection with Benedictine spirituality and the value of hospitality
Jodi Kilcup, Ph.D., Director of Development for Mount Angel Abbey, has been a Benedictine oblate since 2004. A trained facilitator and mediator, she offers retreats for monasteries, nonprofits, church groups, universities and boards.
The Reverend John Creasy is the founding executive director of Garfield Community Farm, a permaculture based non-profit in Pittsburgh, PA. He is also a founding Pastor at The Open Door Church. John lives with his family a mile from the farm in Stanton Heights where they practice permaculture in their 90 year old home with rainwater collection, solar power, off grid heating and a garden that has overtaken the entire property. In addition to farming John and his wife Alyssa love hiking and backpacking with their kids and creating music with their band This Side of Eve.
Joseli Alves-Dunkerson is a psychotherapist and a spiritual director who works with personal and spiritual development. In her personal life, she has struggled with living the road of forgiveness, a journey similar to that of many of us.
Sr Julian Cleary, OSB, has practiced disability law for about 25 years. More recently she has engaged in immigration work. To Sr. Julian the Reverend Howard Thurman has been a model and a mentor in absentia of inner transformation, peaceful advocacy, and a purveyor of dignity and respect to all.
Julie A. Ferraro is a long-time writer and journalist. She is a Benedictine oblate of the Monastery of the Ascension, Jerome, Idaho, also using her skills to serve other Benedictine organizations.
Karen Nelson is in her second year of training in LWS. As a former professional musician and music educator as well as a church worship/music associate in various churches for the past 40 years, she brings a unique perspective on navigating the path of artistic expression as a way of spiritual development. Using music, instruments and role play, she offers the opportunity to share our mutual journey towards deeper union with God as fellow travelers and creatives alike.
Karissa Thompson discovered the power of conflict management and the value it brought to others through her career as a corporate manager. Her goal is to help others understand and appreciate the unique differences God has created in each of us.
Kathleen Kichline, M.Div., is a scripture scholar, author, teacher and retreat leader, a pastoral associate of many years who has also served as adjunct faculty at Seattle University. Much of her ministry is now available online through Sisters in Scripture. She is a frequent and popular presenter at St. Placid Priory.
Kathleen P. Perkins, PhD is an author, teacher, and therapist. During her tenure in academe she incorporated spirit/spiritually in the body/mind paradigm of social work and psychology. She now utilizes spiritually-based writing to help others find peace in life’s wounds.
Inspired by the challenging depths of biblical spirituality in both the Old Testament and New Testament, Kathryn is a teacher, musician, liturgist, cook, theological artist, grandmother, and lover of Creation. She lives on Whidbey Island.
Kathy Androes-Downes, OblSB is a Benedictine oblate with St. Placid community, retired collaborative mechanical engineer now keeping company with Icons as a prayerful gazer and iconography practice-ioner.
Kayce Stevens Hughlett, , MA LMHC, is an author, tender, and artist of being alive. Her 2019 memoir, SoulStroller: experiencing the weight, whispers & wings of the world, won the prestigious Nautilus Book award for personal growth. Co-creator of SoulStrolling – a movement for mindfulness in motion – and creator of the SoulStrolling Inspiration Deck, Kayce is a member of Abbey of the Arts Wisdom Council and co-leader of Awakening the Creative Spirit.
Kenneth Peterson is an Oblate of St. Placid Priory. A singer of chant, he wrote Prayer as Night Falls: Experiencing Compline in 2013. He presented “Julian of Norwich and Christ’s Passion” in 2021, and has given programs previously at the Priory on Julian, compline, and the Liturgy of the Hours.
Kimberly Crispeno serves as a spiritual director and retreat leader through Renewal Ministries Northwest. She delights in helping others become more intentional about and present to the particularities of their own lives.
Sr. Laura Swan, OSB, is a writer and spiritual director, who also serves her community as Formation Director. She is the author of numerous books, including The Forgotten Desert Mothers and The Wisdom of the Beguines.
Laura Tenisci is an Oblate with St. Placid Priory. She has a bachelor degree in nursing and master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Seattle University. She has facilitated several retreats and classes on spiritual topics. Simplicity is her current focus.
Lucy Wynkoop, osb has formerly offered retreats on Joan Chittister’s Illuminated Life and was privileged to attend St. John’s University in Collegeville when the St. John’s Bible in its original form was viewed. She has integrated the two sources into reflections on prayer.
Lucy Wynkoop, OSB is a retreat and spiritual director, and has received formal art education. Renata Siegl pursues her hobbies of ceramics, watercolors and paper cutting (Scherenschnitte) after having retired from teaching kindergarten and having raised four children with her husband Walter. She studied in Vienna, Austria and San Antonio College in Walnut, California. Walter Siegl is a retired architect and teacher who enjoys the endless possibilities of creating ceramics in the serene setting of his and Renata’s home studio.
Author of “Haiku – The Sacred Art: A Spiritual Practice in 3 lines”, Margaret D. McGee writes books about being alive in the cosmos, paying attention, and making connections. She is an experienced presenter and teacher, and a lay preacher and liturgist at her home parish, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, Washington.
Marilyn Freeman is a media artist, writer and spiritual director. Inspired by lectio divina, Marilyn combines her creative and spiritual practices in CinemaDivina® — her growing body of short films made through and for contemplative practice. Her films and video essays are shared in spirituality centers and galleries, on literary sites and at film festivals. Marilyn is a Benedictine Oblate at St. Placid Priory in Lacey, Washington, a community with which she has been involved for more than a dozen years. https://marilynfreeman.com/
Marilyn Vancil is the author of Self to Lose – Self to Find: A Biblical Approach to the 9 Enneagram Types. She is a trained spiritual director, life coach, and Certified Enneagram Professional in the Narrative Tradition. She facilitates introductory and advanced workshops on the Enneagram for individuals and couples.
Mary Franklin is in formation as Benedictine monastic with St. Placid Priory. While exploring the wisdom of mystics from many paths on her own journey, she has experience facilitating and supporting individuals and groups in discovering their connection to the Holy Spirit through encouragement of values that honor care for our Creator’s creation; empowerment as co-creators in building a more just and equitable society; and ways to expand healing and forgiveness in our world.
Mary Kay Whitacre is the Associate Director of Sophia Spirituality Center – a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison KS. She also helps direct Sophia Center’s Souljourners’ Spiritual Direction Formation Program. She has over 45 years of experience in ministry, spiritual direction, and retreat work. She received her Doctor of Ministry from Seattle University in 2017, but her greatest teachers of awe and wonder are her two energetic and inquisitive grandsons.
Mary Solberg is a commissioned Centering Prayer teacher and a 2016 sendee of the Living School, studying with Richard Rohr, Cynthia Bourgeault and James Finley.
Listening deeply with the ear of her heart, Melissa Layer, MA, LMHC serves as a psychospiritual therapist and interspiritual companion. She encourages exploration of how Sacred Mystery breathes in our lives, often utilizing expressive arts, cultivating curiosity, and beholding the extraordinary in everyday ordinary life.
Michael Stein-Ross founded Cascadia Forest Therapy in 2017 after earning his Nature and Forest Therapy Guide certification from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Since then he has guided over 200 forest bathing sessions across the Puget Sound region. Over the last two years he co-facilitated Cascadia Forest Therapy’s transformation into a non-profit, organized as a member self-directed co-op, to advance the culture of nature connection practices and support the regional community of forest therapy guides. Michael also holds a MEd. in Learning and Technology and teaches humanities at Maritime High School.
Sister Monika is a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, musician and artist. She recently became a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) and is interested in helping people explore the world of art and its connection to the spiritual life. She has experienced how a Zentangel practice brings relief from pain, worry, and stress. It is a healing practice.
Nickie Lynn is a Spiritual Director who looks for ways to help others find and define the story of their journey back to the One Great Love from which their journey began. She uses everyday tools to help seekers gain a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey.
Monika Ellis, OSB Retreat and Spiritual Director Masters in Education Laura Swan, OSB Retreat and Spiritual Director Masters in Theological Studies Masters in Church Ministry & Renewal Lucy Wynkoop, OSB Retreat and Spiritual Director Master in Theology, concentration in Scripture Masters in Theology, concentration in Monastic Studies Anna-Camille Wooden, OSB Retreat Leader, Master of Education Commissioned Centering Prayer Presenter Sonja Weber, OSB Retreat Leader Paz Vital, OSB Retreat Leader and Spiritual Direction
Pamela Bradburn brings years of joyfully practicing SoulCollage ®. She has a MA in Transforming Spirituality and a Spiritual Director certificate. She looks forward to introducing you to SoulCollage ®.
Pamela Hunter is a Lutheran pastor from Forks, WA, calligrapher and book artist. She has been journaling for over a decade, and makes her journals by the process that she will share with you.
Patricia Kay CSD, CCH, is a Certified Spiritual Director, Certified Classical Homeopath, teacher, writer, and retired midwife, who studied this form of meditation with her mentor, Dr. Barry Grundland, MD, over a period of 15 years. She works with people as a meditation guide, helping them enter into the territories of the body to heighten awareness and respect and healing.
Patricia O’Connell Killen, professor of religion, emerita, and Humanities Division faculty fellow at Pacific Lutheran University, has led workshops on theological reflection in the U.S., Ireland, and Canada. Currently she is exploring how people identify and draw on wisdom traditions in coming to understand their lives and events in our time.
Paul Rietmann is a retired Episcopal priest, spiritual director, retreat leader and commissioned Centering Prayer presenter. Dedicated to the contemplative path, Paul is active in interfaith meditation and dialogue.
Paul W. Jacob (Jake) – www.nomadicdevotion.com – is an author, college professor, scholar of world religions, and a contemplative guide. His intensive study of the contemplative and mystical traditions of world religions has led him to 30 countries and 48 states. He facilitates contemplative retreats and leads spiritual formation groups at centers throughout the United States. *100% of the facilitator’s share of the proceeds from this retreat will go to “Feed The Way”, an organization co-founded by Jake and his wife that provides Care Bags, sandwiches, warm clothes, and companionship to our homeless brothers and sisters. Thus, by your presence at this retreat, you are…
Paz Vital, OSB tiene una Maestría en Teología con concentración en Ministerio Hispano. Ella ha dirigido retiros en parroquias y centros de retiro. Paz es tambien una directora espiritual. Paz Vital, OSB has a Masters in Theology with a concentration in Hispanic Ministry. She has led retreats in parishes and retreat centers. Paz is also a spiritual director.
Sr. Raphaela Cady is a member of the Oblate team who engages the twelve steps of humility as found in Chapter 7 of the Rule of Benedict as a way of journeying into greater personal wholeness and consciously offering of self to her community and beyond as a by-product of living the Benedictine Rule.
is a spiritual director, ordained clergy member, and credentialed Religious Educator in the Unitarian Universalist tradition. While Tandi comes from the UU tradition, this circle will work out of the Priory’s ecumenical tradition.
Robin Harwood is interested in the intersection of spirituality, psychology, and the arts. She completed M.Div. and S.T.M. degrees from Yale Divinity School, and a PhD in developmental psychology from Yale University. She is a lifelong lover of music, poetry, and other art forms.
The facilitator, Rosemarie Oliver, is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist who has worked in the field of nutritional practice since 1978. She became interested in the field of Mindful Eating in 2010. She became an MB-EAT (Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training) qualified instructor in October of 2020 and obtained a Certificate in Mindful Eating offered by The Center for Mindful Eating in January of 2022. She is also an oblate at St. Placid Priory.
Roy DeLeon, OblSB is Benedictine oblate with St Placid, a trained spiritual director, a visual artist, author and illustrator of Praying with the Body, and illustrator for The Pope’s Cat series.
Ruth Hoenick is a Spiritual Companion facilitating retreats throughout the United States. She journeys with many working through life’s challenges and issues in workshops, retreats and one-on-one guidance. Ruth received her Spiritual Guidance Certification at the Siena Retreat Center in Racine WI, and holds a Masters Degree in Education. She is Chair Emeritus of the Board of Directors at the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh and retreat coordinator. Her gifts of respectful listening and honest presence to individuals who desire courageous exploration of their sacred stories are beautifully represented throughout the presentations.
Shemaiah Gonzalez is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in America Magazine and U.S. Catholic, among other publications. Shemaiah wrote Northwest Catholic’s ”God in the Ordinary” column for three years, which was honored with the Catholic Press Award twice. She is writing a collection of essays on joy, based on her popular Substack, Undaunted Joy for Harper Collins Christian Publishing. She holds degrees in English Literature, Intercultural Ministry and Creative Nonfiction Writing. To see Shemaiah’s Substack, copy this link to your browser: https://shemaiahgonzalez.substack.com/
Sherry Corsiglia is a Professional Life Work Synergy Coach Sherry who has worked for a Fortune 500 company and taught wellness classes for over 20 years. She holds a Project Management Masters of Science and an International Relations Bachelors of Science. Sherry is a published contributor to several Project Management textbooks and enjoys mountaineering, sailing, yoga, meditation, and partnering with clients to achieve healthy life energy management.
Silvia Behrend, D.Min, M. Div., is a Certified Archetypal Pattern Analyst in private practice in Olympia, WA. Her interest has focused on using the transformational power of art in secular and religious institutions, based on subject-centered pedagogy, depth psychology and a theology of relationship and creativity.
Sister Lucy Wynkoop, OSB, prepared for being a spiritual director and supervisor at Mercy Center. Previously, she received two MAs with concentrations in Scripture and Monastic Studies. As a Benedictine she has been shaped and formed in prayer and community. She strives to help others become a community of listening, loving, receptive, contemplative participants as they do their inner formation to become spiritual directors. Since 1992 she has provided spirituality formation programs and has invited others to do so at The Priory Spirituality Center. Mary Pandiani, D.Min., MA, C.S.D. is a spiritual director, personal/professional development coach, and an instructor for…
Sister Monika, a member of St. Placid Priory since 1971, is a spiritual director, musician and artist. She is an enthusiastic teacher who loves to pass on what she knows about craft.
<a href=”http://www.stplacid.org/spirituality-center/spiritual-directors/” target=”_blank” style=”color:#3399FF;”>Read about our Spiritual Directors and contact the one you feel most drawn to to schedule your session here</a>
Sister Angela Hoffman is a Benedictine Sister and Prioress at St. Placid Priory, Lacey, WA. She is emerita from the University of Portland where she taught chemistry for nearly 34 years. Sister’s many interests include the beauty and joy of creation, the many ways humans are invited to serve as God’s hands and co-creators, and how all people, no matter their understanding of God, can work together to make the world a better place for all God’s creatures. Her question is, “Are we willing to do the hard work of carrying out the mission we have been given?:
Sr. Anna-Camille is a Benedictine sister in the St. Placid community where she is co-director of Oblates, assistant archivist, program presenter, community grocery shopper and part of the care team for the monastery cat. She has a long time Centering Prayer practice, is a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer, an experienced retreat leader, and is on the Contemplative Outreach Northwest Leadership team.
Lucy Wynkoop, OSB is a Benedictine who daily practices living from the heart and is a seasoned retreat leader. She has an MA in Theology with a concentration in Monastic Studies.
Sr. Raphaela Cady is a member of the Oblate team who engages the twelve steps of humility as found in Chapter 7 of the Rule of Benedict as a way of journeying into greater personal wholeness and consciously offering of self to her community and beyond as a by-product of living the Benedictine Rule. She enjoys creating through the use of different forms of media to help people encounter the Rule and the Divine Spirit through the many ways that God has given the human form to receive knowing. She is a gifted Zoom technician and in creating encounters through…
Steven Reed, PhD, has been a clinical psychologist in private practice in Bellevue, Washington for 35 years specializing in attachment disorders, trauma, and spirituality. Dr. Reed has also been a spiritual director working with SEEL of Puget Sound for 20 years. He is a senior faculty member with Masterson Institute in which he has taught international workshops and classes. He is published and has taught at the graduate level as well. His professional interests include: early attachment development, neurobiology, dissociative disorders, spirituality and dream work. Dr. Reed is married and has three adult children and two grandsons. His personal interests…
Steve Reiland is a Chaplain, a Spiritual Director, and a Tai Chi Instructor. He teaches tai chi for holistic wellness and as a spiritual practice (e.g., “Dancing with the Divine”).
Susan Bosse, BFA, MA is a Plein Air artist who paints oil landscapes during warm weather. She paints with ink in her home studio during cold weather. She is a member of several local art organizations and actively participating in art exhibits.
Suzy Petty is the founder of Good Grief, a program designed to provide emotional and spiritual encouragement to widows and wives of husbands on their final journey. She has a heart for addressing the needs around her including accompanying hospice patients, feeding the homeless, visiting the sick, and leading prayer groups.
Terry Jones D.Min. is the author of The Elder Within (2001) and Elder: A spiritual alternative to being elderly. Jones is eighty one, has six children and eleven grandchildren. Jones is past Elder Chairman of the ManKind Project and past board member of Sageing International.
Therese Gonneville, OSB, is a spiritual director and leads retreats at St. Placid Priory. “I journey with others with a listening heart, especially with loss and grief, healing of the inner child, and the desire for reconciliation to God, others, and self.”
Victoria Scarlett is dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of sacred art–and to its place in devotional and meditative practices. She is the Director of the Center for Sacred Art in Seattle, where she develops programs that seek an integrative understanding of the human experience, spirituality, and world sacred art traditions. Victoria’s training includes a B.A. in Studio Art, an M.A. in Museum Studies, and an M.A. in Art History. Victoria has taught in a variety of settings including universities, museums, spirituality centers, and cathedrals. Victoria is known for her warm-hearted teaching style that brings together inspiration and a love of beauty.…
SISTERS SPEAK: OUR BLOG
Our new blog is active as of May 5, 2023. Sisters will post once a week on Fridays. See what our Sisters have to say about living Monastic Life in the 21st Century.
OPEN FOR PRIVATE RETREATS
The Priory Spiriuality Center is now taking up to 10 on-site retreatants. Register for your private retreat at One Day Retreats or Overnight RetreatsWelcome back!
Upcoming Virtual Discernment Retreat for women wanting to know more about being a Religious Sister. Join us on October 21, 2023 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. More information HERE – poster to read or print
BENEDICTINE SISTERS ELECT NEW PRIORESS
Angela Hoffman, OSB, Prioress – elected 2022
Many of our programs and retreats are still being offered via Zoom AS WELL AS IN PERSON. Please register and pay online:
Click these links for more information on ZOOM RETREATS and PROGRAMS
USE SCRIPTURAL STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR YOUR GROUP
Roy DeLeon has given permission for anyone to use his presentation to view or for use with a group. Please click STATIONSto see or download the pdf.
Presenters
Adina Meyer
Adina Meyer is a longtime practitioner of Centering Prayer. She has been a member of several 12 Step programs and in a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer as an 11th Step practice. She is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity with a focus on spiritual direction at Portland Seminary.
Alan Harvey
Alan Harvey is a retired teacher with a master’s degree in education and fellow member of Immanuel Presbyterian Church. The Arts have always fueled his teaching and his passions. Mixing poetry with a spiritual message makes perfect sense. Together with Beth Prevo, they have created multiple spiritual walks around the Tacoma area. Writing haiku is a daily practice and a way to see the major and minor miracles happening around us every day. Coming to the University of Puget Sound as a junior, he has been a Washington resident since 1977.
Amelia Carroll
Amelia Carroll works and studies in the healing arts professions as a counselor, chaplain, death educator, spiritual director, and interfaith celebrant. She creates celebrations and rituals honoring your stories and bringing meaning to your joys and sorrows.
Anatha Attar
Anatha Attar, M.A.C., is a certified Washington State Counselor specializing in creative and spiritual growth. She is a speaker, educator, artist and author of two books, as well as an avid traveler.
Angie Wolle
Angie Wolle, an ordained United Methodist pastor, serves as the Vice President for Mission Integration for Providence Health and Services. Angie has an M.Div, an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, and is certified in Spiritual Direction.
Ann Garrido
Ann Garrido is an Associate Professor of Homiletics at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis. A popular speaker and author, Ann’s book Let’s Talk About Truth took a second place award from the Catholic Media Association in 2021. For more about Ann, see her website: anngarrido.com
Bee Jay Mar
Bee Jay Mar has been using visual cues in personal devotions for many years. Her grab-n-go worship focus is simple and elegant. She takes delight in creating worship focus centers for group meetings as well.
Benedictine Sisters
Benedictine Sisters- Contact Sister Lucy Wynkoop at lucywynkoop@gmail.com or call 360-438-2595
Beth Amsbary and Tamara Roberts
Beth Amsbary and Tamara Roberts are a teaching team. Tamara is a spiritual director, therapist and minister in the United Church of Christ. Beth is a storyteller, song leader, and weaver of community experiences. Together they explore spirit through creative pathways.
Beth Prevo
Beth Prevo holds two degrees from Seattle University: a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in Pastoral Studies. She considers herself to be a lifelong learner and seeker of God.
Beth Prevo
Beth Prevo’s home church is Immanuel Presbyterian in Tacoma’s North End. She holds master’s degrees in Pastoral Studies (2019) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (2001), both from Seattle University. Retired from teaching since 2018, Beth is Parish Associate at Immanuel, where she’s involved with visiting the home-bound and working with the Deacon Board, facilitating spiritual retreat mornings, working with the new members’ groups, and teaching others how they can advocate in Olympia. She’s excited to be facilitating at the Priory again, this time in collaboration with her dear friend Alan Harvey.
Betsey Beckman
Betsey Beckman, MM is the founder of The Dancing Word, a ministry of dance, storytelling, spiritual direction, retreats and video artistry. She directs the Movement Ministry at her home parish, St. Patrick in Seattle, and works closely with Abbey of the Arts to create contemplative embodiment resources.
Bob Delastrada
Bob Delastrada is commissioned to present Centering Prayer by Contemplative Outreach. He graduated from the Christos Center for Spiritual Direction and Formation, and recieved the Master’s degree in Theology and Spirituality from St. Catherine’s College.
Bob Delastrada
Bob Delastrada is commissioned to present Centering Prayer by Contemplative Outreach. He graduated from the Christos Center for Spiritual Direction and Formation, and received the Master’s degree in Theology and Spirituality from St. Catherine’s College.
C. Susan Davis
C. Susan Davis is a licensed mental health counselor, a certified sage-ing leader in Sage-ingR International, has a Gerontology certificate from Worcester State College in Massachusetts, an MA in Applied Behavioral Science from Bastyr University in Washington, is a minister in the Seminary of Spiritual Peacemaking, a graduate of the school Terrain of Essence and currently studying to be a practitioner in this school. Susan facilitates lively discussions and uses exercises designed to encourage inner exploration and movement toward Wholeness.
Carlos Herrera
Cascadia Forest Therapy
Michael Stein-Ross founded Cascadia Forest Therapy in 2017 after earning his Nature and Forest Therapy Guide certification from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Since then he has guided over 200 forest bathing sessions across the Puget Sound region. Over the last two years he co-facilitated Cascadia Forest Therapy’s transformation into a non-profit, organized as a member self-directed co-op, to advance the culture of nature connection practices and support the regional community of forest therapy guides. Michael also holds a MEd. in Learning and Technology and teaches humanities at Maritime High School. Denise McDermott, MSW, LICSW is a licensed…
Cathy Raymond
Cathy Raymond is an artist and a spiritual director. She uses art in its many wonderful forms to explore the depth of the heart through individual and group spiritual direction and through faith-based retreats.
Cecily Markham
Cecily Markham is a national award-winning poet, painter, art installation and performance artist, and integrated arts educator. Cecily has presented poetry programs and arts presentations across Washington State and bi-coastally with other venues in California and Virginia. In May of 2020, Cecily had her art installation, Bride In The Wilderness, and painting, Playing with Light, published with https://avant-garde-art.com/art-under-quarantine and publication of her poem Mist, with the WA State Poet Laureate project, Poems to Lean On-https://wapoetlaureate.org/poetry-to-lean-on/. *A previous participant of one of Cecily’s poetry programs writes, “… it was magical. Deeply moving and transformative, so creative!”
Christine Eberle
Christine Eberle is a retreat facilitator, public speaker, and author of Finding God in Ordinary Time. A campus minister in higher education for 26 years, Christine’s passion is connecting spirituality, Scripture, and everyday life. Her next book, Finding God Abiding, will be published in June. You can follow her at christine-marie-eberle.com.
Christine Valters Paintner
Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, REACE is the founder and director of AbbeyoftheArts.com, a virtual monastery and global community exploring contemplative practice, creative expression, and ways to nourish an earth-cherishing consciousness. She is a poet, spiritual director, teacher, pilgrimage guide, and author of 20 books on spirituality and the arts including three collections of poetry. Christine has lived on the west coast of Ireland since 2012 with her husband John. She is a Benedictine oblate with the St. Placid Priory community.
Chuck Ramey
Chuck Ramey is a lay priest in the Soto Zen tradition of Buddhism. He is the primary teacher at the South Sound Zen Center based in Tacoma. Chuck is affiliated with the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center in Northern California.
Darcie Richardson
Darcie A. Richardson, Ph. D. is a Personal Life Coach with an expertise in Depth Psychological Practices. She conducts workshops, speaking engagements and maintains a private practice in Olympia, WA.
David Robinson
David Robinson is a pastor in Cannon Beach, Oregon, and a Benedictine Oblate of Mount Angel Abbey. He is the author of seven books on Christian spirituality, including Cloud Devotion: Through the Year with The Cloud of Unknowing (Paraclete Press, 2020). To learn more about David, please visit his website https://waterpaths.org/
Debbie Carmody
Debbie Carmody has retired after 28 years in pastoral ministry at Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, KS. She has a Masters in Religious Education from Loyola-New Orleans. She and her husband just celebrated 50 years of marriage and they dream of one day staying in a treehouse.
Denise McDermott
Denise McDermott, MSW, LICSW is a licensed therapist who has lived in the Puget Sound area for most of her life. After seeing positive results early on in her practice when working with clients in natural settings, she sought to create more ways to incorporate nature in all aspects of her practice and her life. Raising her children as avid ‘birders’, organizing a community garden in her neighborhood, presenting on the importance of the child/nature connection to teacher & parent groups, taking High School Students on Field Trips to the local Wildlife Refuge, and prioritizing time for herself in the abundant…
Dmitri Andreyev
Dmitri Andreyev was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and came to the United States in 1991 to study traditional iconography under his father, Vladislav Andrejev, master iconographer and founder of the Prosopon School of Iconology. While living in New York City, Dmitri established the Prosopon School New York City Studio. As an instructor of the school, he regularly leads iconography workshops around the country.
Dr. Mary Pandiani and Sister Lucy Wynkoop
Dr Mary Pandiani and Sister Lucy Wynkoop are facilitators of Listening with the Spirit: A Formation Preparation to be a Spiritual Director.
Erin Durrett
A cantor, chant specialist, and Director of Music Ministries and the “Explore Celtic Spirituality”series at Church of the Holy Spirit (Episcopal) on Vashon Island, Erin brings her love and knowledge of mythic Ireland, sacred and poetic text, and music to this workshop. Visit Jane and Erin at chantsandplants.com
Evan Clendenin
The Reverend Evan Clendenin is an Episcopal priest, currently serving as interim with Holy Spirit, Vashon WA. He has worked as a horse farmer, gardener, educator, and pastor in Episcopal and Lutheran congregations. He enjoys assorted tinkering with food, various materials and crafts, boatbuilding, trees and gardening, and shares workshop hospitality at The Boat and Table Workshop, boatandtable.org. He lives with his wife Amy, and their dog, near an old cemetery in Tumwater, WA. They delight in multiple daily walks and squirrel chases.
Evelyn Wemhoff
Evelyn Wemhoff is a presenter of retreats and workshops at Shalom at the Monastery in Mt. Angel, Oregon that offers personal and spiritual growth programs. She is a spiritual director, retired licensed counselor, and was formerly director of WomanSpirit Center in the Seattle area that offered programs for women seeking to develop their lives. She has led Intensive Journal Programs for more than 30 years.
Fr. Damian Higgins
Fr. Damian of Holy Transfiguration Monastery has been painting icons for his own monastery and for churches and homes around the world for the last 27 years. He began teaching the process at the request of those who felt drawn to the depth and beauty of an art form and wanted to understand more about the spirituality and theology.
Gloria Kempton
Gloria Kempton is an online and Seattle writing coach, the author of eleven books and hundreds of stories and essays, and a former book and magazine editor. She’s currently the Catholic Chaplain at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Monroe, WA and a writing instructor teaching The Hero’s Journey to incarcerated veterans at the Regional Justice Center in Kent, WA.
Gordon C. and David M.
are longtime practitioners of Centering Prayer as an 11th Step Practice.
Gordon Coffey
Gordon Coffey is a recovered alcoholic and drug addict with over 40 years of sobriety. He has been practicing Centering Prayer for 35 years; he is a founding member of Contemplative Outreach Northwest and a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer.
Jamie Deering
Jamie Deering is a long-time leader of contemplation groups and retreats inspiring times of quiet that lead to deep reflection and contemplative action in the world. She particularly values curiosity in sitting in life’s questions. Through spiritual coaching and service in the community, she seeks with others to create a wiser kinder world. She brings her 30+ years of contemplative practice to our time together.
Jan Alkire
Jan Alkire has led retreats in parishes and at spirituality centers including The Priory Spirituality Center. She is the author of five books including her newest one: Seeking Christ Through Friendship.
Jan Lawry
After pursuing my studies in psychology, I taught and did research in several universities across the country. My experiences in and out of the classroom with children, adolescents, creative adults, and wise elders led me to appreciate the many parallels in our creative, psychological, and spiritual development. In recent years, I’ve been pursuing my own forms of creative expression through writing and art. My workshops are intended to help others see how their spiritual longings and creative expression often come from the same wellspring.
Jane Fleming
Jane Fleming, MPM, is a Spiritual Director/Grief and Loss Counselor. Jane has served in hospice and end-of-life care for the past 26 years, and is a spiritual director in Seattle. She is an experienced retreat facilitator and utilizes art and the creative process to promote spiritual growth and awareness.
Jane Valencia
Jane Valencia is a herbalist, nature instructor, and harper-storyteller. Jane loves helping others discover the wisdom, beauty, and practical knowledge for health and wellness found within medieval and folk healing traditions.Visit Jane and Erin at chantsandplants.com
Janet Rhodes
Janet Rhodes, an inspiring teacher, has been studying and teaching non-violent communication (NVC) and Bible for many years. She has presented other classes at the Priory such as Finding Yourself in Transition.
Janice Ariza
Janice Ariza is a Saint Martin’s graduate with an Interdisciplinary degree in history and religious studies. Currently, Janice works as the Spirituality Center Coordinator for St. Placid. As a participating member of The Washington Museum Association for 10 years, she observed the depth of creativity in humanity. She served as Board President of The Karshner Museum in Puyallup supporting the Arts through educational events. Her interest is in the spirituality of the arts and how they replenish the soul through viewing, listening and experiencing is ongoing and an everyday part of her life.
Janice Lawry
Janice Lawry is a developmental psychologist whose workshops use writing and other means of creative expression as tools for personal exploration and transformation. Her work brings to light the parallels in our psychological, creative, and spiritual growth throughout our lives.
Jeffrey King
Jeff King is a Certified Enneagram Teacher with The Narrative Enneagram. His mission is to promote personal development and spiritual formation through training and coaching individuals, couples, leaders and organizations to apply the wisdom of the Enneagram. Jeff hosts the podcast, Nine Lives with Jeff King. Jeff and his wife live in Lawrence, KS, and have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. He has over 40 years of pastoral ministry experience.
Jerry DeVore
Jerry DeVore is a licensed psychologist, a graduate of Robert Moss’s dream master training, an approved consultant in clinical hypnotherapy and a board certified biofeedback therapist. He has a regular meditation practice and facilitates dream work for personal growth.
Jessika Satori, OblSB, Ed.D
Jessika is a writer and poet, global college professor, film director and producer. She has walked with St. Ignatius of Loyola for more than 30 years, including doctoral studies at Seattle University, and has participated in multiple Ignatian retreats including the 30-day Spiritual Exercises. She has traveled to many of the Ignatian pilgrimage sites including Loyola, Montserrat, La Storta and Rome. She has served as a Chaplain at Harborview Medical Center.
Joann Terranova
Joann Terranova is an experienced Catechist and adult Formation Leader for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The exploration of the power of stories and how they shape our lives is a theme that resonates in her life. Joann has a Masters in Adult Christian Community Development as well as a Masters in Pastoral Studies.
Joann Terranova, Sister Raphaela & JT Batsone
The facilitators for the day have life experience from each corner of the adoption triangle. JT Batsone placed a child for adoption, Sister Raphaela was placed for adoption as an infant, and Joann Terranova received 2 sons into her family through adoption. In addition each has a connection with Benedictine spirituality and the value of hospitality
Jodi Kilcup
Jodi Kilcup, Ph.D., Director of Development for Mount Angel Abbey, has been a Benedictine oblate since 2004. A trained facilitator and mediator, she offers retreats for monasteries, nonprofits, church groups, universities and boards.
John Creasy
The Reverend John Creasy is the founding executive director of Garfield Community Farm, a permaculture based non-profit in Pittsburgh, PA. He is also a founding Pastor at The Open Door Church. John lives with his family a mile from the farm in Stanton Heights where they practice permaculture in their 90 year old home with rainwater collection, solar power, off grid heating and a garden that has overtaken the entire property. In addition to farming John and his wife Alyssa love hiking and backpacking with their kids and creating music with their band This Side of Eve.
Joseli Alves-Dunkerson
Joseli Alves-Dunkerson is a psychotherapist and a spiritual director who works with personal and spiritual development. In her personal life, she has struggled with living the road of forgiveness, a journey similar to that of many of us.
Julian Cleary OSB
Sr Julian Cleary, OSB, has practiced disability law for about 25 years. More recently she has engaged in immigration work. To Sr. Julian the Reverend Howard Thurman has been a model and a mentor in absentia of inner transformation, peaceful advocacy, and a purveyor of dignity and respect to all.
Julie A. Ferraro
Julie A. Ferraro is a long-time writer and journalist. She is a Benedictine oblate of the Monastery of the Ascension, Jerome, Idaho, also using her skills to serve other Benedictine organizations.
Karen Nelson
Karen Nelson is in her second year of training in LWS. As a former professional musician and music educator as well as a church worship/music associate in various churches for the past 40 years, she brings a unique perspective on navigating the path of artistic expression as a way of spiritual development. Using music, instruments and role play, she offers the opportunity to share our mutual journey towards deeper union with God as fellow travelers and creatives alike.
Karissa Thompson
Karissa Thompson discovered the power of conflict management and the value it brought to others through her career as a corporate manager. Her goal is to help others understand and appreciate the unique differences God has created in each of us.
Kathleen MacInnis Kichline
Kathleen Kichline, M.Div., is a scripture scholar, author, teacher and retreat leader, a pastoral associate of many years who has also served as adjunct faculty at Seattle University. Much of her ministry is now available online through Sisters in Scripture. She is a frequent and popular presenter at St. Placid Priory.
Kathleen P. Perkins
Kathleen P. Perkins, PhD is an author, teacher, and therapist. During her tenure in academe she incorporated spirit/spiritually in the body/mind paradigm of social work and psychology. She now utilizes spiritually-based writing to help others find peace in life’s wounds.
Kathryn Rickert
Inspired by the challenging depths of biblical spirituality in both the Old Testament and New Testament, Kathryn is a teacher, musician, liturgist, cook, theological artist, grandmother, and lover of Creation. She lives on Whidbey Island.
Kathy Androes-Downes, OblSB
Kathy Androes-Downes, OblSB is a Benedictine oblate with St. Placid community, retired collaborative mechanical engineer now keeping company with Icons as a prayerful gazer and iconography practice-ioner.
Kayce Stevens Hughlett
Kayce Stevens Hughlett, , MA LMHC, is an author, tender, and artist of being alive. Her 2019 memoir, SoulStroller: experiencing the weight, whispers & wings of the world, won the prestigious Nautilus Book award for personal growth. Co-creator of SoulStrolling – a movement for mindfulness in motion – and creator of the SoulStrolling Inspiration Deck, Kayce is a member of Abbey of the Arts Wisdom Council and co-leader of Awakening the Creative Spirit.
Kenneth Peterson
Kenneth Peterson is an Oblate of St. Placid Priory. A singer of chant, he wrote Prayer as Night Falls: Experiencing Compline in 2013. He presented “Julian of Norwich and Christ’s Passion” in 2021, and has given programs previously at the Priory on Julian, compline, and the Liturgy of the Hours.
Kimberly Crispeno
Kimberly Crispeno serves as a spiritual director and retreat leader through Renewal Ministries Northwest. She delights in helping others become more intentional about and present to the particularities of their own lives.
Laura Swan, OSB
Sr. Laura Swan, OSB, is a writer and spiritual director, who also serves her community as Formation Director. She is the author of numerous books, including The Forgotten Desert Mothers and The Wisdom of the Beguines.
Laura Tenisci
Laura Tenisci is an Oblate with St. Placid Priory. She has a bachelor degree in nursing and master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Seattle University. She has facilitated several retreats and classes on spiritual topics. Simplicity is her current focus.
Lucy Wynkoop, OSB
Lucy Wynkoop, osb has formerly offered retreats on Joan Chittister’s Illuminated Life and was privileged to attend St. John’s University in Collegeville when the St. John’s Bible in its original form was viewed. She has integrated the two sources into reflections on prayer.
Lucy Wynkoop, OSB; Renata and Walter Siegl
Lucy Wynkoop, OSB is a retreat and spiritual director, and has received formal art education. Renata Siegl pursues her hobbies of ceramics, watercolors and paper cutting (Scherenschnitte) after having retired from teaching kindergarten and having raised four children with her husband Walter. She studied in Vienna, Austria and San Antonio College in Walnut, California. Walter Siegl is a retired architect and teacher who enjoys the endless possibilities of creating ceramics in the serene setting of his and Renata’s home studio.
Margaret D. McGee
Author of “Haiku – The Sacred Art: A Spiritual Practice in 3 lines”, Margaret D. McGee writes books about being alive in the cosmos, paying attention, and making connections. She is an experienced presenter and teacher, and a lay preacher and liturgist at her home parish, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, Washington.
Marilyn Freeman
Marilyn Freeman is a media artist, writer and spiritual director. Inspired by lectio divina, Marilyn combines her creative and spiritual practices in CinemaDivina® — her growing body of short films made through and for contemplative practice. Her films and video essays are shared in spirituality centers and galleries, on literary sites and at film festivals. Marilyn is a Benedictine Oblate at St. Placid Priory in Lacey, Washington, a community with which she has been involved for more than a dozen years. https://marilynfreeman.com/
Marilyn Vancil
Marilyn Vancil is the author of Self to Lose – Self to Find: A Biblical Approach to the 9 Enneagram Types. She is a trained spiritual director, life coach, and Certified Enneagram Professional in the Narrative Tradition. She facilitates introductory and advanced workshops on the Enneagram for individuals and couples.
Mary Franklin
Mary Franklin is in formation as Benedictine monastic with St. Placid Priory. While exploring the wisdom of mystics from many paths on her own journey, she has experience facilitating and supporting individuals and groups in discovering their connection to the Holy Spirit through encouragement of values that honor care for our Creator’s creation; empowerment as co-creators in building a more just and equitable society; and ways to expand healing and forgiveness in our world.
Mary Kay Whitacre
Mary Kay Whitacre is the Associate Director of Sophia Spirituality Center – a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison KS. She also helps direct Sophia Center’s Souljourners’ Spiritual Direction Formation Program. She has over 45 years of experience in ministry, spiritual direction, and retreat work. She received her Doctor of Ministry from Seattle University in 2017, but her greatest teachers of awe and wonder are her two energetic and inquisitive grandsons.
Mary Solberg
Mary Solberg is a commissioned Centering Prayer teacher and a 2016 sendee of the Living School, studying with Richard Rohr, Cynthia Bourgeault and James Finley.
Melissa Layer
Listening deeply with the ear of her heart, Melissa Layer, MA, LMHC serves as a psychospiritual therapist and interspiritual companion. She encourages exploration of how Sacred Mystery breathes in our lives, often utilizing expressive arts, cultivating curiosity, and beholding the extraordinary in everyday ordinary life.
Michael Stein-Ross
Michael Stein-Ross founded Cascadia Forest Therapy in 2017 after earning his Nature and Forest Therapy Guide certification from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Since then he has guided over 200 forest bathing sessions across the Puget Sound region. Over the last two years he co-facilitated Cascadia Forest Therapy’s transformation into a non-profit, organized as a member self-directed co-op, to advance the culture of nature connection practices and support the regional community of forest therapy guides. Michael also holds a MEd. in Learning and Technology and teaches humanities at Maritime High School.
Monika Ellis, OSB
Sister Monika is a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, musician and artist. She recently became a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) and is interested in helping people explore the world of art and its connection to the spiritual life. She has experienced how a Zentangel practice brings relief from pain, worry, and stress. It is a healing practice.
Nickie Lynn
Nickie Lynn is a Spiritual Director who looks for ways to help others find and define the story of their journey back to the One Great Love from which their journey began. She uses everyday tools to help seekers gain a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey.
Oasis Presenters
Monika Ellis, OSB Retreat and Spiritual Director Masters in Education Laura Swan, OSB Retreat and Spiritual Director Masters in Theological Studies Masters in Church Ministry & Renewal Lucy Wynkoop, OSB Retreat and Spiritual Director Master in Theology, concentration in Scripture Masters in Theology, concentration in Monastic Studies Anna-Camille Wooden, OSB Retreat Leader, Master of Education Commissioned Centering Prayer Presenter Sonja Weber, OSB Retreat Leader Paz Vital, OSB Retreat Leader and Spiritual Direction
Pamela Bradburn
Pamela Bradburn brings years of joyfully practicing SoulCollage ®. She has a MA in Transforming Spirituality and a Spiritual Director certificate. She looks forward to introducing you to SoulCollage ®.
Pamela Hunter
Pamela Hunter is a Lutheran pastor from Forks, WA, calligrapher and book artist. She has been journaling for over a decade, and makes her journals by the process that she will share with you.
Patricia Kay
Patricia Kay CSD, CCH, is a Certified Spiritual Director, Certified Classical Homeopath, teacher, writer, and retired midwife, who studied this form of meditation with her mentor, Dr. Barry Grundland, MD, over a period of 15 years. She works with people as a meditation guide, helping them enter into the territories of the body to heighten awareness and respect and healing.
Patricia Killen
Patricia O’Connell Killen, professor of religion, emerita, and Humanities Division faculty fellow at Pacific Lutheran University, has led workshops on theological reflection in the U.S., Ireland, and Canada. Currently she is exploring how people identify and draw on wisdom traditions in coming to understand their lives and events in our time.
Paul Rietmann
Paul Rietmann is a retired Episcopal priest, spiritual director, retreat leader and commissioned Centering Prayer presenter. Dedicated to the contemplative path, Paul is active in interfaith meditation and dialogue.
Paul W. Jacob (Jake)
Paul W. Jacob (Jake) – www.nomadicdevotion.com – is an author, college professor, scholar of world religions, and a contemplative guide. His intensive study of the contemplative and mystical traditions of world religions has led him to 30 countries and 48 states. He facilitates contemplative retreats and leads spiritual formation groups at centers throughout the United States. *100% of the facilitator’s share of the proceeds from this retreat will go to “Feed The Way”, an organization co-founded by Jake and his wife that provides Care Bags, sandwiches, warm clothes, and companionship to our homeless brothers and sisters. Thus, by your presence at this retreat, you are…
Paz Vital
Paz Vital, OSB tiene una Maestría en Teología con concentración en Ministerio Hispano. Ella ha dirigido retiros en parroquias y centros de retiro. Paz es tambien una directora espiritual. Paz Vital, OSB has a Masters in Theology with a concentration in Hispanic Ministry. She has led retreats in parishes and retreat centers. Paz is also a spiritual director.
Raphaela Cady, OSB
Sr. Raphaela Cady is a member of the Oblate team who engages the twelve steps of humility as found in Chapter 7 of the Rule of Benedict as a way of journeying into greater personal wholeness and consciously offering of self to her community and beyond as a by-product of living the Benedictine Rule.
Rev. Tandi Rogers
Reverend Tandi Rogers
is a spiritual director, ordained clergy member, and credentialed Religious Educator in the Unitarian Universalist tradition. While Tandi comes from the UU tradition, this circle will work out of the Priory’s ecumenical tradition.
Robin Harwood
Robin Harwood is interested in the intersection of spirituality, psychology, and the arts. She completed M.Div. and S.T.M. degrees from Yale Divinity School, and a PhD in developmental psychology from Yale University. She is a lifelong lover of music, poetry, and other art forms.
Rosemarie Oliver
The facilitator, Rosemarie Oliver, is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist who has worked in the field of nutritional practice since 1978. She became interested in the field of Mindful Eating in 2010. She became an MB-EAT (Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training) qualified instructor in October of 2020 and obtained a Certificate in Mindful Eating offered by The Center for Mindful Eating in January of 2022. She is also an oblate at St. Placid Priory.
Roy DeLeon, OblSB
Roy DeLeon, OblSB is Benedictine oblate with St Placid, a trained spiritual director, a visual artist, author and illustrator of Praying with the Body, and illustrator for The Pope’s Cat series.
Ruth Hoenick
Ruth Hoenick is a Spiritual Companion facilitating retreats throughout the United States. She journeys with many working through life’s challenges and issues in workshops, retreats and one-on-one guidance. Ruth received her Spiritual Guidance Certification at the Siena Retreat Center in Racine WI, and holds a Masters Degree in Education. She is Chair Emeritus of the Board of Directors at the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh and retreat coordinator. Her gifts of respectful listening and honest presence to individuals who desire courageous exploration of their sacred stories are beautifully represented throughout the presentations.
Shemaiah Gonzalez
Shemaiah Gonzalez is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in America Magazine and U.S. Catholic, among other publications. Shemaiah wrote Northwest Catholic’s ”God in the Ordinary” column for three years, which was honored with the Catholic Press Award twice. She is writing a collection of essays on joy, based on her popular Substack, Undaunted Joy for Harper Collins Christian Publishing. She holds degrees in English Literature, Intercultural Ministry and Creative Nonfiction Writing. To see Shemaiah’s Substack, copy this link to your browser: https://shemaiahgonzalez.substack.com/
Sherry Corsiglia
Sherry Corsiglia is a Professional Life Work Synergy Coach Sherry who has worked for a Fortune 500 company and taught wellness classes for over 20 years. She holds a Project Management Masters of Science and an International Relations Bachelors of Science. Sherry is a published contributor to several Project Management textbooks and enjoys mountaineering, sailing, yoga, meditation, and partnering with clients to achieve healthy life energy management.
Silvia Behrend
Silvia Behrend, D.Min, M. Div., is a Certified Archetypal Pattern Analyst in private practice in Olympia, WA. Her interest has focused on using the transformational power of art in secular and religious institutions, based on subject-centered pedagogy, depth psychology and a theology of relationship and creativity.
Sister Lucy Wynkoop and Mary Pandiani
Sister Lucy Wynkoop, OSB, prepared for being a spiritual director and supervisor at Mercy Center. Previously, she received two MAs with concentrations in Scripture and Monastic Studies. As a Benedictine she has been shaped and formed in prayer and community. She strives to help others become a community of listening, loving, receptive, contemplative participants as they do their inner formation to become spiritual directors. Since 1992 she has provided spirituality formation programs and has invited others to do so at The Priory Spirituality Center. Mary Pandiani, D.Min., MA, C.S.D. is a spiritual director, personal/professional development coach, and an instructor for…
Sister Monika Ellis
Sister Monika, a member of St. Placid Priory since 1971, is a spiritual director, musician and artist. She is an enthusiastic teacher who loves to pass on what she knows about craft.
Sister Paz Vital, OSB
Coming soon!
Sonja Weber, OSB
Bio to be posted
Spiritual Directors
<a href=”http://www.stplacid.org/spirituality-center/spiritual-directors/” target=”_blank” style=”color:#3399FF;”>Read about our Spiritual Directors and contact the one you feel most drawn to to schedule your session here</a>
Sr. Angela Hoffman, OSB
Sister Angela Hoffman is a Benedictine Sister and Prioress at St. Placid Priory, Lacey, WA. She is emerita from the University of Portland where she taught chemistry for nearly 34 years. Sister’s many interests include the beauty and joy of creation, the many ways humans are invited to serve as God’s hands and co-creators, and how all people, no matter their understanding of God, can work together to make the world a better place for all God’s creatures. Her question is, “Are we willing to do the hard work of carrying out the mission we have been given?:
Sr. Anna-Camille Wooden, OSB
Sr. Anna-Camille is a Benedictine sister in the St. Placid community where she is co-director of Oblates, assistant archivist, program presenter, community grocery shopper and part of the care team for the monastery cat. She has a long time Centering Prayer practice, is a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer, an experienced retreat leader, and is on the Contemplative Outreach Northwest Leadership team.
Sr. Lucy Wynkoop, OSB
Lucy Wynkoop, OSB is a Benedictine who daily practices living from the heart and is a seasoned retreat leader. She has an MA in Theology with a concentration in Monastic Studies.
Sr. Raphaela Cady
Sr. Raphaela Cady is a member of the Oblate team who engages the twelve steps of humility as found in Chapter 7 of the Rule of Benedict as a way of journeying into greater personal wholeness and consciously offering of self to her community and beyond as a by-product of living the Benedictine Rule. She enjoys creating through the use of different forms of media to help people encounter the Rule and the Divine Spirit through the many ways that God has given the human form to receive knowing. She is a gifted Zoom technician and in creating encounters through…
St. Placid Oblates and Sisters
Presenters: Oblates: Don Cairns, Kathy Androes-Downes, Roy DeLeon, Marilyn Freeman, Susan Johnson, Ken Peterson, Kathryn Rickert, Laura Tenisci, Sisters: Julian Cleary, Monika Ellis, Anna-Camille Wooden, Lucy Wynkoop, Paz Vital, Sonja Weber
Steve Reed, PhD
Steven Reed, PhD, has been a clinical psychologist in private practice in Bellevue, Washington for 35 years specializing in attachment disorders, trauma, and spirituality. Dr. Reed has also been a spiritual director working with SEEL of Puget Sound for 20 years. He is a senior faculty member with Masterson Institute in which he has taught international workshops and classes. He is published and has taught at the graduate level as well. His professional interests include: early attachment development, neurobiology, dissociative disorders, spirituality and dream work. Dr. Reed is married and has three adult children and two grandsons. His personal interests…
Steve Reiland
Steve Reiland is a Chaplain, a Spiritual Director, and a Tai Chi Instructor. He teaches tai chi for holistic wellness and as a spiritual practice (e.g., “Dancing with the Divine”).
Susan Bosse
Susan Bosse, BFA, MA is a Plein Air artist who paints oil landscapes during warm weather. She paints with ink in her home studio during cold weather. She is a member of several local art organizations and actively participating in art exhibits.
Suzy Petty
Suzy Petty is the founder of Good Grief, a program designed to provide emotional and spiritual encouragement to widows and wives of husbands on their final journey. She has a heart for addressing the needs around her including accompanying hospice patients, feeding the homeless, visiting the sick, and leading prayer groups.
TBD - Additional Presenter
Terry Jones
Terry Jones D.Min. is the author of The Elder Within (2001) and Elder: A spiritual alternative to being elderly. Jones is eighty one, has six children and eleven grandchildren. Jones is past Elder Chairman of the ManKind Project and past board member of Sageing International.
Therese Gonneville, OSB
Therese Gonneville, OSB, is a spiritual director and leads retreats at St. Placid Priory. “I journey with others with a listening heart, especially with loss and grief, healing of the inner child, and the desire for reconciliation to God, others, and self.”
Victoria Scarlett
Victoria Scarlett is dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of sacred art–and to its place in devotional and meditative practices. She is the Director of the Center for Sacred Art in Seattle, where she develops programs that seek an integrative understanding of the human experience, spirituality, and world sacred art traditions. Victoria’s training includes a B.A. in Studio Art, an M.A. in Museum Studies, and an M.A. in Art History. Victoria has taught in a variety of settings including universities, museums, spirituality centers, and cathedrals. Victoria is known for her warm-hearted teaching style that brings together inspiration and a love of beauty.…
SISTERS SPEAK: OUR BLOG
Our new blog is active as of May 5, 2023. Sisters will post once a week on Fridays. See what our Sisters have to say about living Monastic Life in the 21st Century.
BENEDICTINE SISTERS ELECT NEW PRIORESS
Many of our programs and retreats are still being offered via Zoom AS WELL AS IN PERSON. Please register and pay online:
Click these links for more information on ZOOM RETREATS and PROGRAMS
USE SCRIPTURAL STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR YOUR GROUP
Roy DeLeon has given permission for anyone to use his presentation to view or for use with a group. Please click STATIONS to see or download the pdf.
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