S. Barbara DeStefano, osf MA (Religious Studies) BA (Theology)
S. Barbara has ministered as a presenter at St. Francis Center for 26 years and as part of the liturgy and music ministry. She spent 5 years as the Director of Liturgy at the Catholic Community of St. Matthias, Somerset, NJ. Her service there involved ongoing formation of all liturgical ministries, presentation work in the areas of Eucharist, sacraments and ongoing planning work with Liturgy commission, committee and the Preparation Team.

S. Anita Kuchera, osf MA (Guidance) MA (Religious Studies) BSEd.
As Director of St. Francis Center for Renewal for 33 years, S. Anita has led many groups in creative prayer and spiritual experiences. She spent 5 years as Pastoral Associate for Evangelization and Community Life at the Catholic Community of St. Matthias, Diocese of Metuchen. This included extensive work with those walking the RCIA Journey -- as well as organizing and running retreats for catechumens, candidates, sponsors and team.

S. Rosaria Shina, osf BSEd., M.A. (Social Sciences)
Sister has served her Congregation in various areas of Administration for over 25 years, and has spent many years in Religious Formation. She was a member of the Retreat Team and a presenter at St. Francis Center for Renewal for 12 years. A certified Spiritual Director, Sister currently ministers at St. Matthias Parish in Somerset, NJ.

S. Marguerite Stewart, osf, BSEd., BA (Music) Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction Studies. For 12 years Sister acted as Vicar General of her congregation in Rome as well as Director of Formation. With over 30 years experience in spiritual formation, S. Marguerite, a spiritual director and workshop presenter, was the Director of St. Francis Center for 6 years.
 

Fr. Ron Bowman, a parish priest at St. Ignatius of Loyola in Sinking Spring, PA

Carole Chuk, MA The former Director of the Office of the Catechumenate and Assistant Director of the Office of Worship of the Diocese of Allentown, Carole also served in parish ministry at Holy Trinity, Whitehall, as Director of Religious Education, and at Assumption BVM, Bethlehem, as Director of Christian Ministries.
Carole has presented sessions for liturgical ministers, deacons, catechists, teachers, parents, RCIA candidates and teams, and women’s groups at both the parish and diocesan levels in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Kentucky.

Sr. M. Peter Lillian Di Maria, O. Carm. BA, LNHA, CDP
With over 35 years experience in the continuum care ministry as a Carmelite Sister for the Aged and Infirm, Sr. Peter Lillian is presently the Director of the Avila Institute of Gerontology in Germantown, New York since January 1997. The Avila Institute is the education arm of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. Sr. Peter Lillian has served her community in many administrative positions and has lectured many times, throughout the United States and Ireland, on Alzheimer’s Disease, Palliative Care, Geriatric Spiritual Care, Family Care Issues, Stress Reduction, Leadership Development, and Team Building. Sr. Peter has developed successful Dementia Care Programs, Dementia Care Curriculums and assisted in developing a Palliative Care Resource Manual that is specific for Geriatric Care.

Sr. Nancy Iampetro, CPS, M.A., ministers in the US and internationally. A trainer of Spiritual Directors and Formators, she gives conferences and workshops in Spiritual Direction, Formative Spirituality, Discernment, Religious Life, Charism, Vows, Renewal, etc. Sister taught at Regina Mundi Pontifical Institute in Rome and acted as Superior General in Rome for The Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood for ten years.

Fr. Patrick Lamb, M. Div. A frequent speaker at St. Francis Center, people ’flock’ to be nourished by Fr. Lamb’s down to earth and practical spirituality. He is presently Assistant Pastor at Notre Dame Parish.

Fr. Keith Laskowski, a graduate of DeSales University, was ordained 10 years ago. He is currently serving at St. Jane Frances de Chantal in Easton, PA and also assists at Lafayette College.
Karen Anne Melendez is a board certified music therapist and member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help church. She is currently an advanced trainee in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. She has facilitated workshops on creative relaxation, stress management and Guided Imagery and Music at several locations in Northampton County, including at OLPH, Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the Diocesan Health Ministry at St. Francis Retreat House.

Dorothy Heine Rudolph, MAAP

Fr. Paul Zilonka, C.P. (Passionist Community) This religious community devotes special attention to the Ministry of the Word of God, and to the relationship between the Memory of the Passion of Jesus and those who suffer in our world today.

Ordained in 1971, Fr. Zilonka’s biblical-pastoral ministry has included twenty-five years of seminary teaching, Bible study in parishes, and many biblical retreats for laity, religious women and men, deacons and priests both in the USA and abroad. He holds Roman post-graduate degrees from the Pontifical Biblical Institute (SSL), and the Gregorian University (STD).

A member of the Passionist Preaching Team of the Province of St. Paul of the Cross, Father also serves on the Provincial Council of his Community. In the spirit of the charism of the Passionist Community, Fr. Zilonka’s preaching ministry gives particular attention to the spiritual journey we all share in God’s provident love.