Sr. Lea Joanisse, a Sister of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, was formerly a Secondary School Teacher in North Bay and later at Mount St. Joseph College in Sault Ste. Marie. Responding to a call to guide people in their spiritual growth, she pursued studies at Creighton University in Omaha, NE where she received her Master’s in Christian Spirituality. Practical training in Ignatian spirituality and in directing retreats followed as she spent a five-month Residential Internship at the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth in Wernersville, PA. Since 1981, Sr. Lea has served as a Spiritual Director in community and parish settings and is presently the Director of Shalom Place.

From the early 1990s, Christine has felt herself to be lovingly and spiritually nurtured by the Sisters of St. Joseph, beginning with programs offered by Sr. Jeanne Fortin followed by the opening of Shalom House in 2000 under the guidance of Sr. Lea Joanisse. Joining the Associates in 2012 has allowed Christine to observe and be inspired by both Sisters and Associates living out of their faith through the wise and loving choices they make.

In 2014, Christine welcomed the opportunity to increase her volunteer involvement at Shalom Place by becoming Office Manager. 

Sr. Stephanie Romiti is a Sister of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie. She is an educator with experience both

in the classroom and at the administrative level. She enjoys bringing an element of creativity into all aspects of life, including

spirituality. Stephanie has been a member of the Shalom Team for several years. She recently completed certification as a Spiritual Director and Retreat Director, and is continuing those studies at Creighton University, pursuing a Master's degree in Christian Spirituality. She provides individual Spiritual Direction, as well as facilitating retreats and small group programs. Having recently relocated to Terrace Bay, ON, she now brings the Shalom ministry to the people on the northern shores of Lake Superior.

Susan is a retired family and palliative care doctor who now companions seekers on their spiritual journey to the place within where Love waits -- promising healing and wholeness. A CSJ Associate, Susan has been a member of the Shalom Team for many years. She has created and facilitated several programs in the area of spiritual growth for women and is now also offering her gifts in the area of Spiritual Direction.

Burnie Thorp is a member of the community of St. Jerome Parish where he serves in a variety of ministries as lector, funeral server, usher, catechist, Arise small group leader and coordinator of the Bible study program. He is also involved in the Youth Ministry Initiative. Burnie participated in the diocesan Lay Apostolate Formation program as well as Group Spiritual Direction. The single biggest influence on him was the Cursillo experience back in the 70s, especially the notion that the Church is simply made up of people who, despite their flaws and failures, keep hanging in as a community seeking to discover and do God’s will. Burnie’s spirituality is very much characterized as “feet on the ground”.

Anna Griswold is a retired educator having taught as a Sister of St. Joseph in Thunder Bay, Manitouwadge, Nipigon, Red Rock, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. She attended the Oblate Centre for Spiritual Renewal in San Antonio, Texas and studied Scripture at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa. Anna and her husband Fred are actively involved in various ministries at St. Gerard Majella Parish in Sault Ste. Marie.She continues her contact with the Sisters of St. Joseph as a member of the Associate program.

Emma Bonin is a retired Special Education resource teacher. She is also a member of the Associates of the Sisters of Joseph. Emma has been and continues to be very active in parish life and has served in various leadership roles with the Catholic Women’s League. She values her faith-sharing “Quest” group, loves meeting people and gaining wisdom from others.

Sister Linda MacIsaac was born and raised in Noranda, Quebec. At an early age, she joined the Sisters of St. Joseph and became an elementary school teacher, the fulfillment of her childhood dream. In 1990, after obtaining a Master’s in Pastoral Studies from Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, Missouri, she joined the team at Galilee Mission Centre in Arnprior where she coordinated a sabbatical program, facilitated spiritual programs and served on the spiritual direction team. At the time, she was also the formation director in her congregation. In 2002, Sister Linda returned to North Bay to serve on the leadership team of her congregation for a period of eight years. Currently, she is the formation director for the congregation, the spiritual advisor for the Catholic Women’s League in the North Bay region. She does volunteer work at the Family Enrichment and at the Hospital, and facilitates days of reflection in the diocese.