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, a Sister of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, is an 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 is now pursuing a Master's degree in Christian Spirituality. She provides Spiritual Direction - in person and via video technology - as well as facilitating retreats and small group programs. Living in Terrace Bay, she brings this ministry to 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.

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.

Robin is a social worker, artist, writer, and facilitator of adult learning. She received her Master of Social Work from Laurentian University, and she completed Religious and Indigenous Studies courses at the University of Sudbury, which is rooted in the tradition of its founding Jesuit Fathers. She studied Spiritual Companioning at Centre Quest, School of Spiritual Direction. Robin's approach is person centered and facilitative, in that every person has the answers they seek within themselves and every group will come to a point whereby they learn more from each other than from the facilitator. Robin's love is witnessing the growth in those she accompanies on their journey.

Janet Norman is a retired United Church minister whose spiritual wisdom has touched many lives over the years. She has been a guest facilitator for several "Shalom Place" retreats in the past and as such, has lived out her desire to share the beauty of the "Good News." Continuing her own personal adventure, with God's Spirit leading her, Janet describes herself as a "spiritual seeker" as she opens to and encounters the Divine in her day-to-day life.