Maris Stella Retreat and Conference Center: Maris Stella Program Presenters

2013-2014

Brother Don Bisson, FMS, is a spiritual director, trainer and supervisor of directors. He is widely respected as a commentator and workshop leader on the interrelationship of spirituality and psychology. A Marist brother based in New York, he has graduate degrees in liturgy, spirituality, and transpersonal psychology. He earned a D. Min.at the Pacific School of Religion in the area of Spiritual Direction and Jungian Psychology.

Margaret Ellen Burke, SC is the co-founder and presently director of the Center of Renewal & Education, a mobile center for lay leadership and formation and spiritual development in the upper counties of New York. She has been training and supervising spiritual directors for over 30 years. Margaret is a former staff member of the Center of Spirituality & Justice in NY and the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University.

Fr. Tony Ciorra, was founding Director of the Center for Theological and Spiritual Development at the College of Saint Elizabeth. He is a respected and loved retreat director throughout the United States and a familiar figure to many in northern New Jersey. Presently he serves as the Assistant Vice President for Mission and Catholic Identity Sacred Heart University.

Msgr. Edward Ciuba, former professor of Scripture and Rector/President of Immaculate Conception Seminary; former Pastor of Notre Dame Parish, North Caldwell, NJ; and well known and gifted speaker, experienced retreat director.

Diane Collesano, SC has been a Sister of Charity for 35 years and served as high school teacher and principal for much of that time. With a profound interest in ecological theology, she pursued graduate studies in systematic theology. She currently teaches in the theology Department of the College of Saint Elizabeth offering courses, among others, in Christian Ethics and Ecology and Faith.

Barbara Connell SC has been involved in teaching, administration, formation , parish work. For more than thirty years, she has been active in giving retreats and spiritual direction. She holds Master’s Degrees in Classical Languages, Theology, Holistic Counseling and a Certification in Spiritual Direction.

Anita M. Constance, SC, former Director of Xavier Retreat and Conference Center at Convent Station, NJ, is the author of several spiritual books, and experienced in giving retreats and workshops. She has 15 years of pastoral care experience at Saint Anne Villa, Convent Station. Her other ministries include liturgy, spiritual direction, bereavement support and pastoral counseling in parish settings.

Antonia Cooper, OSF is a Spiritual Director, artist and holistic practitioner. She presents retreats through the United States in an effort to reunite body, mind and spirit. She currently serves on the Regional Leadership Team of her Franciscan Community.

Gail DeMaria, CSJP, Sister of Saint Joseph of Peace has been active in the field of spirituality since the mid seventies. Gail has done facilitation for numerous groups. She has served in the fields of education, guidance, formation, community leadership and associate membership. Gail is presently engaged in the ministry of Spiritual Direction and Retreats.

Patricia Dotzauer, SC is the Assistant Administrator and Program Director of Maris Stella. She has served in education, religious formation and vocation ministries. Sr. Pat holds a Masters in Religion from Fordham University, NY with a concentration in Spirituality and Spiritual Direction.

Roberta Feil, SC a former teacher and pastoral minister is currently a certified Massage Therapist, Healing Touch Student, and Spiritual Director. Presently she serves at Hope House, a Catholic Charities Social Services agency. She holds a BA and MA in Education, and Certificates in Spiritual Direction and Massage Therapy. She has a passion for Mother Earth and finds God in the midst of it all.

Edwina Gateley was born in Lancaster, England. Her educational experiences have awarded her a Teacher's Degree from her home country, a Masters in Theology from the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago and certification as an HIV Counselor in the state of Illinois. Edwina is a poet, theologian, artist, writer, lay minister, modern-day mystic and prophet, and a single mom. She gives talks, conferences and retreats in the United States, as well as internationally while continuing to reach out to women in recovery from drugs and prostitution.

Janet Gildea SC entered the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 1982. A family physician by training, Janet has always been passionate about the future of religious life. She has served in vocation and formation ministries as well as health care on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Janet is particularly intrigued with the experience of women called to religious life since Vatican II and their role in envisioning "what's next" in the transformation of this prophetic life form.

Judith Mertz, SC is a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. Presently she serves as the Director of Josephine's Place, a center for women. She has a varied background in education, administration, church ministry, social work ministry and formation. Judy is a seasoned spiritual director. She is involved in spiritual direction, directed retreats and supervision. She has facilitated staff retreats and workshops.

Fr. Paul Schetelick is currently the pastor of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish in Bayonne, NJ. Ordained for the Archdiocese of Newark in 1976, he has served most of his ministry in the inner city of Newark. Much of his priesthood has been given over to being a Spiritual Director for Cursillo, preaching Parish Missions and directing Life in the Spirit Seminars around the country. His studies include Ignatian Spirituality at Creighton University and Mercy Center in Colorado.

Fr. Michael Sullivan, OSA received a bachelor's degree from Villanova University and his master's in theology from Augustinian College. Father Sullivan did graduate work at the Catholic University of America and also received a master's degree in counseling from St. John's University. Ordained in 1967, he spent eight years in parish ministry. Father Sullivan served as pastor in the Albany Diocese and as pastor of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, the parish of his youth in N.Y.C. He has been a member of the executive board of Worldwide Marriage Encounter; and in this capacity he has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. In 1980 he was appointed to full-time retreat work and parish renewal preaching.

Maryanne Tracey, SC has experience as a teacher, an administrator, and a spiritual director. Presently she serves at the Elizabeth Coalition for the Homeless and is the Formation Director for her Congregation. She holds a BS and MA in Education, and Certificates in Spirituality and Spiritual Direction. Her passion is to advocate for the poor and homeless.