I am a lay ecclesial minister with a broad range of pastoral ministry skills: I am a certified Director of Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Boston, a trained and commissioned spiritual director, and a retreat director with over 20 years of experience.

Retreat & Spiritual Direction

Retreat ministry was the gateway to my ministerial career, and it remains both a joy and a central component of my work.  Through my degree at the ​School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, I was able to study to become a spiritual director, which I believe enhances my retreat ministry.  I have coordinated and directed retreats for children, youth, young adults, and women's retreats for women of any age, and have been engaged to do so by the parishes for which I have worked, Boston College Campus Ministry, and outside organizations.

Additionally, I maintain a small private spiritual direction practice.  I am trained in Ignatian spirituality, particularly the practice of discernment, and have worked with college undergraduates, graduate students, and women of a variety of ages, and those in discernment.  I am taking new directees:  feel free to email me.  

Outside of San Salvador, El Salvador

Ministry

As a lay Catholic ecclesial minister, I have been lucky to receive training and grow through experience in areas other than Faith Formation (religious education).  Specifically, I have been trained to plan and coordinate liturgies, which have included Sunday Family Masses, Confirmation and First Eucharist liturgies, Triduum and Easter liturgies, baptisms within and outside of Mass, and funerals.  I am also an experienced lay preacher and presider who has preached or presided at non-Eucharistic liturgies for Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Advent and Lenten prayer services, and weekly communion services.

Additionally, I have long been involved in service, peace, and justice work through various ministerial contexts.  I have planned and coordinated local, domestic, and international service and immersion experiences for children, youth, adults, and families.  These experiences usually have required pre- and post-experience preparation and reflection throughout the process.

Jesuit Chapel, Universidad Centroamericana, El Salvador

Faith Formation 
For me, Faith Formation has always centered on building and maintaining relationships.  In this way, Faith Formation functions more as a Family Ministry than simply the religious education of children and youth.  Instead, every aspect of one's faith journey, in the context of family life, is valued, respected, and seen as evidence of "God in All Things".  While I have coordinated Faith Formation classes and sacramental preparation, developed curriculum, and worked with volunteer catechists, I have also spent considerable time meeting families where they are -- and not leaving them there.,

Over time, this outlook resulted in developing alternative educational programming for a variety of needs, including offering Faith Formation in both English and Spanish; assisting with baptismal preparation for infants, older children, and adults; and assisting in pastoral counseling, in addition to the various liturgical and service components that can find a place in a family's spiritual life.

Rose bushes planted in honor of the UCA Jesuit martrys and their lay collaborators, El Salvador