Sr. Mary Jo Radey has been with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie since 1984. During these years she has been engaged mostly in the ministry of education...beginning by teaching Kindergarten, then moving into secondary education for the next thirty years. The gift of teaching has been enhanced with summer courses leading to a Masters of Divinity and the opportunity to teach Religious Education to teachers. As well, Mary Jo was asked to share Vocation ministry for nine years. These days, she continues to teach  teachers, facilitates programs for Shalom Place, is involved with our Associate Program, ministers at St. Jerome's parish, and serves on the CSJ Leadership Team.

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”.

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. 

Stephanie Romiti is a retired educator with classroom and administrative experience. She brings creativity into all aspects of life. Stephanie has been a member of the Shalom Team for several years. She is certified as a Spiritual Director and Retreat Director through Creighton University, where she also completed a Master's degree in Christian Spirituality. She provides Spiritual Direction - in person and via video technology (such as zoom and FaceTime) - as well as facilitating retreats and small group programs. 

www.stephanieromiti.ca

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.

Janet Norman is a retired diaconal minister. Janet served at St. Andrew’s United Church in Sault Ste. Marie for 33 years. She is keen to encourage others as they explore their connection with God. Janet uses a variety of resources to help people explore their spirituality: scripture, storytelling, journalling, silence, prayer, hymns, poems, art and movement.

Patricia Frederick is a retired Pastoral Associate from St. Paul Catholic Church in Ellicott City, MD, U.S.A, where her family has worshiped since its founding in 1838. In that role, she worked in many capacities including grief ministry. Desiring to journey more closely with those seeking to see God’s hand in their daily lives, Pat became a Spiritual Director. She holds a Masters in Theology and a graduate certificate in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats. 

She provides direction in person and by Zoom. Pat and Tom, her husband of 62 years, reside in Ellicott City close to their adult children and grandchildren.

Patty Boucher is an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie. She enjoys working with children in an academic setting, and likes to spend her free time being in nature. She has facilitated groups in the past and enjoys being involved in the community. Patty is looking forward to facilitating the program "Walking the Sacred Path". 

Lorna has been involved in post-secondary education for over 25 years with a vocation in teaching Early Childhood Education students. Lorna is nurtured on a day-to-day basis by being a wife, mother and grandmother! She is an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph, a member of HSCDSB Special Education Advisory and Focus on Faith Committees, and is a parishioner at Precious Blood Cathedral. Lorna is an advocate for women through membership in the Zonta Club locally.  She has furthered her exploration of spirituality through recently studying Soul Companioning – An Introduction to Spiritual Direction - with Center Quest. Lorna is looking forward to offering small group programs and spiritual direction. Lorna likes to co-learn with others as we explore the divine and walk our journey of faith. She is particularly interested in how mental wellness intersects with spirituality.