Programs
Kei Okada
Kei Okada is a retired hospice chaplain, a writer and an artist. Born in New York and raised in Kanazawa, Japan, he came back to New York thirty-nine years ago to study at the School of Visual Arts and spent eight years in visual and performing arts before entering Union Theological Seminary in 1990. The […]
Margie Winters
Margie Winters loves to accompany others on their spiritual journeys, finding joy in helping others see God’s presence and Mercy in their lives. She brings with her experience in pastoral ministry, faith formation of adults and children, campus ministry, music ministry and spiritual direction. For many years, Margie taught in Mercy elementary and secondary education, […]
Spiritual Direction Interest, Solitude Day (self-catered), Individual Directed Retreat (self-catered), Garden of Renewal: A Volunteer Day Retreat,
Kelly Denton-Borhaug, PhD
Kelly Denton-Borhaug, PhD, is a professor at Moravian University in Global Religions and Peace and Justice Studies. Not long after 9/11/2001, she began researching and writing about the direct, structural and cultural violence of war and militarization in the United States and wider world. Her attention turned to military moral injury about eight years ago, […]
The Journey Home: A Retreat for Veterans Exploring Moral Injury Recovery,
Fred Magondu
Fred Magondu has been a member of the JUST Listening (JL) Core Team since 2017, shaping the direction of the work, creating workshops and facilitating numerous others. During his incarceration, Fred was also involved with other social justice organizations, (including Let's Circle Up, Alternatives to Violence, Community Forgiveness & Restoration and Practical Discipleship) which sought […]
Gail Morrison-Hall
A Philadelphia native, Gail attended Tyler School of Art (Temple University) on full scholarship, graduating with a BFA and certification in education. She later graduated from Arcadia University with a MA ed +60 graduate credits. She spent the first part of her career as an art educator, helping K-8 students learn about and make art. She has […]
Helen David Brancato, IHM
Sister Helen David Brancato, IHM studied portrait painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and a variety of visual art forms at The Tyler School of Art of Temple University. Working as a painter, printmaker, and illustrator, she has exhibited professionally primarily in the Philadelphia and New York areas and taught visual arts […]
Deidre Anderson PhD
Dr. Deidre “D” Anderson is an award-winning writer and leadership coach who travels the world inspiring people from all walks of life to break through barriers and achieve more than they ever dreamed possible. A sought-after motivational speaker and trainer, Dr. “D” is committed to helping others discover their purpose and maximize their potential. She […]
Christine Konopelski, SSJ
Sister Christine Konopelski is a Sister of St. Joseph trained as a Spiritual Director by the Sisters of Mercy at Cranaleith and the Sisters of St. Joseph at Francis House of Prayer. Using various traditions - Ignatian, Salesian, Franciscan, etc - she helps people meet and deepen their relationship with their God, embracing God's mercy and […]
Antoinette M. Reaves
Antoinette M. Reaves, MA, MTh, MEd, is the Director of Campus Ministry at Cabrini University. Executive Coach and Researcher in DEIB from a Catholic and interfaith perspective. Create innovative solutions to strengthen the organization's diversity, inclusion, and cultural competencies. Youth advocate. First Executive Chairperson of the Havertown Youth Aide panel. From the elementary school level […]
Warren B. Cooper
PEACE PROTAGONIST & PERFORMANCE ARTIST Warren B. Cooper has been a professional musician since the age of 9. With roots in a wide diaspora of traditions, his performance presentation is a gumbo of distinctive artistry. As a vocal specialist, he reaches to give voice to the matters of Spiritual Awakening, Human Rights, and the Sanctity […]
Jim O’Neill
Jim was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia in the 1950’s and attended Catholic grade school, high school and college. He was a pole vaulter in high school and college and again as a Master Athlete in his early fifties. Jim earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1979 from the National College of Chiropractic […]
Bernard Weeks
Bernard Weeks is the creator and facilitator of the Empowerment through Self-Awareness Seminar. He is a graduate of Springfield College, magna cum laude, and the University of Metaphysics, Bachelor of Metaphysical Science. Bernard is a retired human services professional with over forty years’ experience. This includes five years as a case manager at Saint John's […]
Kevin Barr
Kevin Barr has had a passion for Male Spirituality since 2001 when he attended a Men's Rite of Passage (MROP) with Franciscan priest, Richard Rohr, and 110 men from around the world. His work with men seeking wholeness/oneness has continued over the years including the six years he was Director of Saint John's Hospice, a […]
Michele Vincent Fisher, CSFN
Sr. Michele is a native of Schuylkill County, born in Pottsville, PA, and raised in Port Clinton, PA. She attended Nativity BVM High School in Pottsville and completed undergraduate studies in psychology, Spanish and secondary education at Chestnut Hill College. She later received an MA in Theology and Ministry from LaSalle University. Sr. Michele entered […]
Dawn Hayward
Drawing inspiration from Catherine McAuley, Dawn Hayward is an experienced leader who understands the power of storytelling and “systems thinking” to effect profound, complex levels of change. She also has a proven commitment to the mission of the Sisters of Mercy, and a deep connection to Cranaleith. Prior to beginning her appointment as Executive Director […]
Patricia Griffin
Patricia Griffin, PhD is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Holy Family University and Senior International Research Consultant for the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, Region of East Africa. Prior to joining HFU, she held administrative appointments and lecturer positions at Saint Joseph’s University, Boston College, and Cabrini University. Dr. Griffin is a […]
Pamela Flynn
Pamela Flynn is a mixed media artist. Her work is founded in social/cultural issues. Flynn holds an MFA from New Jersey City University and is a Professor of Art and the Fine Arts Coordinator at Holy Family University, Philadelphia. She is an exhibiting artist of the Ceres Gallery, NYC and is a member of The […]
Kathleen S. Burns, Esq.
Kathy assists clients with their estate and long-term care planning and guides fiduciaries in the administration of trusts and estates. She focuses primarily on estate matters, helping clients to develop effective plans to meet their estate and long-term care goals, and assisting trustees, executors and estate administrators in navigating the probate process and preparing all […]
Julia McKeon
Julia McKeon, MDiv, is a dream worker with a Certificate in Dream Facilitation from the Haden Institute. She is also a spiritual director and an Episcopal priest serving churches in the Bucks County area. She is co-facilitator of Women Connecting, a quarterly group spiritual direction gathering. Her training includes the work of Carl Jung as […]
Kya Johnson
Kya is a faith-driven therapist who is passionate about helping others grow emotionally and spiritually. As a young Black woman, she values creating safe, welcoming, holistically healing spaces rooted in compassion and hope. She also teaches liturgical dance, honoring God through movement and service to her community.
Millicent Sparks
Millicent Sparks has been portraying Harriet Tubman since 2002 and considers this legendary figure to be her signature character. Ms. Sparks is a lifelong history buff and develops and produces historically accurate living history performance programs (Millicent Sparks Productions, Inc.) with special emphasis on the African American Experience.
Peter Newitt
Peter Newitt (affectionately known as "Pete") says he is an immigrant who was born with an artistic DNA strand. At the age of 4, he was attempting to duplicate drawings from children’s books in his birthplace of England. He was soon in a healthy competition with his identical twin brother, who grew to become a […]
Mark Kramer
Raised just a block down from John Coltrane's home, Mark Kramer enjoys a productive, colorful, and creative career as an improvising pianist (live performance - clubs and concerts - and recording), arranger-composer, producer/engineer, and occasional educator. Jazz Style is METAMODERN* Impossibly melodic + technically-adroit + oscillates between understated to fully-stated modernism and postmodernism - - - paying homage to […]
Leslie Burrs
Jazz and Classical Composer, Performing and Recording Artist Composer, flutist and Philadelphia native Leslie Savoy Burrs signed a three-album re-release, international jazz record contract with the Paris record label, Libreville Records. Including a duo album with Jazz Great, Kenny Barron titled: IMPRESSIONS OF ANOTHER YOU. CARVINGS released on vinyl and streaming platforms features Burrs’ […]
Cyndy Pappaterra, M.A., LCADC
Cyndy is a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor in private practice. She holds a Master’s Degree in Holistic Health from Georgian Court University and a B.A. from Temple University. Cyndy has served as Drug and Alcohol Coordinator for Human Services of Burlington County, Addictions Counselor at Providence House of Catholic Charities, and Adjunct Professor […]
Stephen Pappaterra, Esq.
Steve has a diverse background as an attorney, wealth management executive, professor, and professional drummer. He is Co-Founder and President of Syncopate Creative, LLC, a consulting firm that provides creative direction on presentations, positioning, and performance for professional services firms. In addition to practicing law at two prominent regional law firms in New Jersey and […]
Johnny Zokovitch
Johnny Zokovitch is the Executive Director of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace and justice movement. Previously, Johnny worked in Brussels with Pax Christi International as the Senior Communications Officer. For nearly fifteen years, he lived at and co-directed the Gainesville (FL) Catholic Worker House, an intentional community serving and living with people who […]
Jeff Thomsen
I paint representationally and mostly in oils, both scenes observed and those imagined. I am sometimes inspired by music, often by animals, and always by the atmospheric play of light falling throughout the day and drifting away at night. I like a sense of narrative and feeling of place and character, and so I attempt […]
Cathleen Cohen
Cathleen Cohen was the 2019 Poet Laureate of Montgomery County, PA. She created the We the Poets program for children from diverse cultural and faith communities (www.theartwell.org) and has taught students and educators in the USA and Israel. She teaches poetry and painting to adults through local venues, including Ritualwell (Reconstructing Judaism), Or Zarua, and […]
Anne Heath, RSM
Anne Heath, RSM is a Sister of Mercy and a native of Philadelphia, who ministered mainly in the south for almost 40 years. In her early years she was an elementary school teacher and then she felt called to parish life as a pastoral minister and a religious educator. However, she realized that in both […]
Haylie Doan
Haylie Doan is from Enola, Pennsylvania and is a junior at La Salle University studying Speech Pathology. On campus, Haylie co-leads the Christian Fellowship group, is a La Salle Ambassador, a member of NSSLHA (National Student Speech Language Hearing Association), is on the Honors Council, and is a member of the Spikeball Club. She’s very […]
Sara J. Corse, PhD
Dr. Sara J. Corse is a dynamic clinical psychologist with 34 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families. Clients are drawn to Dr. Corse for her engaging style, her deep caring and her effectiveness in helping clients resolve and heal troubling emotions and relationships. Her approach is integrative and includes training in EMDR, […]
Gloria F. Donnelly, PhD, RN, FAAN, FCPP
Gloria Donnelly is a longstanding proponent of self-care and resilience building strategies beginning with her book, Coping with Stress: RN’s Survival Sourcebook Medical Economics Press, 1983 and most recently, with Dr. R. Wicks, Overcoming Secondary Stress in Medical and Nursing Practice, Oxford University Press, 2021. As the recently retired Editor in Chief of the refereed […]
Robert Wicks, PsyD
Dr. Robert Wicks has spoken on his major areas of expertise—resilience, self-care, and the prevention of secondary stress (the pressures encountered in reaching out to others)—on Capitol Hill to Members of Congress and their Chiefs of Staff, led a course in resilience in Beirut for relief workers brought there from Aleppo, Syria, spoken at Johns […]
Phyllis Strock
Phyllis Strock is a practitioner of sound healing. Using Tibetan bowls and crystal bowls, Chant and sound, she leads people to inner peace and discovery. Her perspective is informed by her experience in counseling, spirituality and writing. She has worked with diverse populations, both individually and in groups, including cancer survivors, impoverished children, teens and […]
Christine Marie Eberle
Christine Marie Eberle is a writer, speaker, and retreat leader who passionately connects spirituality, Scripture, and everyday life. A long-time friend of Cranaleith, Christine served as Director of Campus Ministry at Gwynedd Mercy University from 2004–2019. Her third book, published in January by Paraclete Press, is entitled Finding God Along the Way: Wisdom from the […]
Michelle Sherman
Michelle Sherman (she/her) is the 50th Anniversary Coordinator for Pax Christi USA. She earned a BA from Saint Mary’s College and an MA in Theology with a certificate in Pastoral Ministry from Villanova University. She completed the Spiritual Direction Formation Program at Cranaleith Spiritual Center in 2019. Her previous professional roles include serving as the […]
Honora Nicholson, RSM
Sr. Honora Nicholson, RSM is a member of the pastoral-services team at RENEW International, a Catholic publishing house. She enjoys her current work, because of her love of parish ministry and the power of small groups. In addition to certification in spiritual direction and leading retreats, she volunteers with various organizations such as The Innocence […]
Advisor: Kathleen McAlpin, RSM
Kathleen McAlpin, RSM, has served as a spiritual director and retreat director for more than 30 years. She is currently an adjunct faculty member for spiritual direction formation programs at Creighton University in Nebraska, Neumann College in Aston, Pa. and at Cranaleith.
Mary Pat Garvin, RSM
Mary Pat Garvin, RSM is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. She earned an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in the theology and psychology from the Gregorian University, where she was also a faculty member from 1994 to 2001. A lifelong educator, Mary Pat has taught at the elementary, secondary and university levels. She […]
Marie Michele Donnelly, RSM
Marie Michele Donnelly, RSM is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. She has extensive experience offering preached retreats to parishes, school faculties, ministry groups, ecumenical groups and religious communities. In addition, she is a frequent presenter for parent and parish groups. Marie Michele has been a keynote speaker for large groups […]
Michael O’Neill McGrath, OSFS
Brother Mickey McGrath is an artist, author, storyteller, and retreat director who currently lives and works in Camden, NJ. A native of Philadelphia, Brother Mickey has been a member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for forty-seven years. After receiving his MFA in Painting from the American University in Washington, DC, he worked […]
Audrey Garrett
Audrey Garrett is an artist who practices meditation. She seeks to explore and encourage our connections to nature and to each other through sound meditation, movement, and visual art.
Timothy Simmons
Timothy Simmons is a musician, writer, educator, and artist from Philadelphia. He is currently the Music teacher at Delaware Valley Friends School in Paoli, PA, where he has synthesized his dual experiences of being both an English and Music teacher to develop a unique Music curriculum for neurodivergent children. Tim’s approach to music is based […]
Mary Trainer, RSM
Sister Mary Trainer, RSM, is the founding director of Cranaleith Spiritual Center. She earned a Ph.D. in social psychology from Boston University and a certificate in spiritual guidance from Shalem Institute. Mary is also the founder of Mercy International Center in Dublin, Ireland, where the charism of mercy continues to renew the vision and life […]
Spiritual Direction Interest, Individual Virtual Directed Retreat, Solitude Day (self-catered), Individual Directed Retreat (self-catered),
Boreta Singleton
Sr. Boreta Singleton, RSM, a Sister of Mercy of the Americas, is a native of Philadelphia, PA. She has been a teacher and school administrator in Philadelphia Catholic schools and in Jesuit sponsored schools in New York and Jersey City, NJ. She served as the Director of the Office for Black Catholics for the Archdiocese […]
Maureen O’Connell, PhD
Maureen H. O’Connell is an Associate Professor of Christian Ethics in the Department of Religion and Theology at La Salle University. She holds a BA in History from Saint Joseph’s University and a PhD in Theological Ethics from Boston College. She authored Compassion: Loving Our Neighbor in an Age of Globalization (Orbis Books, 2009) and If These Walls Could […]
Ellen Birx
Ellen Birx is an authorized Zen teacher and Dharma successor of Roshi Robert Kennedy, SJ. She holds a PhD in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin and is Professor Emerita at Radford University. She is the author of several books including Selfless Love (Wisdom, 2014) and Embracing the Inconceivable: Interspiritual […]
Cathy Maguire RSM
Catherine Maguire RSM, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, has over 20 years of experience in non-profit management, as well as program development and delivery. She facilitates retreats, days of reflection, and is a spiritual director. Cathy was the executive director of Siloam, a mind, body and spirit wellness center for […]
Bernadette Rudolph
Bernadette Rudolph, MA, MS is Director of Facilitation and Strategic Partnerships at Cranaleith. She has earned degrees in the liberal arts (BA, St. John’s College, Annapolis), religion and religious education (MA, Catholic University, Washington DC) and educational leadership (MS, Marywood University, Scranton), as well as a certificate in spiritual direction (Cranaleith Spiritual Center, Philadelphia). Bernadette […]
Spiritual Direction Interest, Individual Virtual Directed Retreat, Solitude Day (self-catered), Claiming Our Joy: Isaiah Prepares Us for Christmas - on demand, Intimacy and Inspiration in the Psalms - on demand, Individual Directed Retreat (self-catered), Wise Enough to Play the Fool: 3-Part Series for Chaplains (online), Wise Enough to Play the Fool: A Series for Chaplains, Session 1 (online), Wise Enough to Play the Fool: A Series for Chaplains, Session 2 (online), Wise Enough to Play the Fool: A Series for Chaplains, Session 3 (online), Unpacking Significant Spiritual Experiences in Your Work as a Chaplain,
Maria DiBello, RSM
Maria DiBello, RSM is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Her experience includes adult faith formation, pastoral ministry, spiritual direction, and retreat ministry. She also has experience in elementary and secondary education. For many years, Maria provided pastoral leadership in a rural Southern community that was socioeconomically and culturally diverse. At […]
Spiritual Direction Interest, Individual Virtual Directed Retreat, Solitude Day (self-catered), Individual Directed Retreat (self-catered), The Grace of Unknowing: A Retreat for Women Veterans,
Tylia Barnes Oladipo
Tylia Barnes Oladipo is Executive Director of the Institute Office of Association and a Mercy Associate with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. As Executive Director, she leads 3000 associates in 11 countries across the Americas, Philippines, Jamaica, and the territory of Guam. She also serves as an Anti-Racism and Racial Equity facilitator in […]
Sharon Browning
Sharon Browning co-shepherds JUST Listening, a collaborative social enterprise fostering personal and social change and transformation through the practice and teaching of mindful, equitable, and just communication skills. The work of JUST Listening is twofold: the facilitation of training workshops, retreats, and ‘difficult’ conversations, focusing primarily on those working with marginalized individuals and groups, and […]
Alison Cornish
The Rev. Alison Cornish serves as a Program Consultant at the BTS Center, a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Maine, committed to preparing spiritual leaders for a climate-changed world. A Unitarian Universalist minister, Alison attended Andover Newton Theological Seminary in response to a felt sense of call directly from Earth to address what is it that […]
Marisa Guerin, PhD
Marisa Guerin, Ph.D., is a writer, teacher, and retired consultant to nonprofit, business, and religious organizations. She is a former Cranaleith Board member and has conducted many Work and Spirit programs at Cranaleith. Earlier in her career she served as the Director of the US Bishops’ Office of Youth Ministry and also worked as the […]
Nicholas Collura
Nicholas Collura is a spiritual director and visiting retreat director at St. Raphaela Center in Haverford, PA. A board-certified healthcare chaplain and Enneagram teacher, he currently serves as a chaplain at MIT. There he also directs Radius, an ethics program committed to challenging uncritical narratives of technological progress. He earned a Master of Divinity and […]
The Enneagram: A Tool for Spiritual Growth - on demand, Converting Vice to Virtue with the Help of the Ennegram - on demand, Spiritual Cataracts and New Horizons: The Holy Ideas of the Enneagram - on demand,
Scott Hutchinson
The agape life of Jesus has sung a love song to Scott Hutchinson as long as he can remember. Scott is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, serving in local congregations for more than three decades. Scott’s life and ministry embrace the transforming power of forgiveness, a commitment to peace-building, and tending […]
Lisa Mehalick
Lisa Mehalick holds a BS in Psychology from Kutztown University, an MA in Theology and a certificate in Pastoral Ministry from Villanova University where she also worked as a Campus Ministry Intern. She completed the Spiritual Direction Formation Program at Cranaleith Spiritual Center in 2019. Lisa’s professional experience includes serving as the Director of Redeemer […]
Beth Flannery, RSM
Beth Flannery, RSM has experienced the transformative power of tears in times of joy and sorrow, despair and delight. She ministers as a spiritual director and supervisor of spiritual directors with extensive experience in campus ministry (university and secondary). She holds a Masters in Pastoral Counseling and Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Neumann University in […]
HMS Acoustic Band
Steve Hart – Song Writer, Guitar and Vocals Steve obtained his first guitar at age 11 and has never stopped playing since (a very long time!), A native of England, he first developed as a performer while studying music at the University of Durham and regularly playing the folk scene throughout northeast England. Founding HMS […]
Rasheeda Hastings
Rasheeda Hastings is a Spiritual Director and labyrinth walk facilitator who resides in Philadelphia. Rasheeda was initially drawn to the Labyrinth as a calming meditation in movement. She became a Certified Labyrinth Facilitator through Veriditas, a non-profit organization that provides training and support of labyrinth facilitators worldwide. She is a member of the Labyrinth Society […]
Athena Dugan
Athena Dugan creates Labyrinths and one-of-a-kind jewelry and crafts. She is Volunteers Coordinator and Regional Representative with the Labyrinth Society. She hosts monthly online Handheld Labyrinth Walks, and is host of the blog/talk radio, Living Labyrinths. Athena is the founder of Walkers of the Labyrinth. Walkers of the Labyrinth creates handheld labyrinths and labyrinth products, […]
Phaedra D. Blocker, DMin
Rev. Dr. Phaedra D. Blocker is a preacher, teacher, consultant, retreat leader, and singer. Founder and Principal of Word&Wisdom, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations (particularly clergy and congregations) to move toward wholeness and actualize their potential as agents of change and shalom in the world. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of […]
Joanne Castner
Joanne Castner resides in Lancaster, PA. She is a retired counselor with a background in family therapy. Joanne is an Associate with the Sisters of Mercy, and recently graduated from Cranaleith's program in Spiritual Direction. After joining an immersion group last year in El Paso and Mexico, she has also been actively involved in doing […]
Greg Williams
Greg Williams was an environmental educator in California, Ohio and Philadelphia for most of his thirty-year career as a teacher/administrator in elementary and middle school settings. His retirement job is to try and make the world safer for his grandchildren and all the children he knew and taught. Greg served on the Board of Pennsylvania […]
Josephine Garnem
Josephine Garnem is an advocate and grassroots community mobilizer with over twenty-three years of extensive international and domestic experience. She is passionate about racial equity and justice and immigration. Josephine was born in Sierra Leone and has lived and worked in the Middle East, Sweden, Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, Haiti, Pakistan and Afghanistan before moving to […]
Anne McCarthy, OSB
Anne McCarthy, OSB coordinates Benedictines for Peace in Erie, PA, and is active in a number of local coalitions addressing climate, peace and policy for racial justice. A former National Coordinator of Pax Christi USA (1991-1994), she leads retreats on nonviolence, Benedictine spirituality, feminism and contemplative sitting prayer. On staff with Benetvision and Monasteries of […]