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”.

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.

Lorna was previously 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 mother and grandmother! She is grateful to be an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Lorna is an advocate for women through membership in the Zonta Club locally. She has furthered her exploration of spirituality through studying Soul Companioning – An Introduction to Spiritual Direction - with Center Quest and involvement in the Growing in Wisdom program exploring faithfully aging and dying. 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.

Susan is the mother of three daughters and a busy Nana to 4 grandchildren. She is happy to be returning to Shalom after a hiatus following her husband's death. Susan is a retired physician who sub-specialized in palliative care. Over her years as Medical Director of the Sexual Assault Care Centre and House Physician at Women in Crisis, she cared for many abused women and children in our community. This work gave her a special insight into the countless ways in which people are traumatized.

Susan has been a CSJ Associate for 23 years and has attended many silent retreats during which she experienced deep and life-changing healing. She then completed a program in Spiritual Direction and companioned seekers for several years. Susan is especially interested in the power of prayer and a personal spiritual practice, in the evolution of wholeness. To that end she has facilitated many programs at Shalom with an emphasis on forgiveness and healing. 

Karen Sherry is a CSJ Associate in North Bay, ON. She has been a public speaker with the designation of International Trainer presenting workshops on the East Coast of Canada and USA, New York, and Indiana. Now, Karen enjoys exploring and developing herself as an artist.