BENEDICTINE RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTER
Staff

Victor Klimoski, Ph.D. is the Director of Lifelong Learning Saint John's School of Theology and the Benedictine Center of St. Paul’s Monastery. He holds a doctorate in adult education from the Univ. of Minn. and works extensively at the national level as a group facilitator and project consultant. Email Victor
Sam Rahberg is the Associate Director of the Benedictine Center. Sam has experience in parish education and administration and holds a master's degree in theology from St. John’s University, Collegeville. Email Sam
Virginia Matter OSB is a member of St. Paul’s Monastery and came to the Center from Health Care. Virginia has done significant preparation in the area of spirituality, Centering Prayer, Bio-Spiritual Focusing, retreats, and Spiritual Direction.  She also has experience in Native American creative arts and pottery.  Email Virginia
Jacquelyne Witter, Ed.D. is the director of iLLUMINARE, the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Project of St. Paul’s Monastery.  Jackie has served in ministerial settings including parish, diocese and higher education.  She holds a doctorate in educational leadership, masters’ degrees in theology and religious education, and a graduate certificate in organization development. Email Jackie
Theresa Clarkin OSB is the Guest Services Assistant for the Benedictine Center and a member of St. Paul's Monastery. In addition to her ministry with the retreat center, Theresa studies theology at St. Paul's Seminary. Email Theresa

Benita Gerold OSB is a member of St. Paul’s Monastery and has an associates degree in Applied Science from the Univ. of Crookston.  Prior to her employment at the Center as hospitality minister, S. Benita served as Director of Food Center at St. Paul’s Monastery and at St. Mary’s Rehabilitation Center.

Chris Folkenson works behind the scenes with guest services, ensuring every guest arrives to a comfortable room.

Karen Sames OSB is a member of St. Paul’s Monastery and is a trained nurse. She works full-time for the American Red Cross and provides hospitality for guests in her spare time.

Sharon Schiller OSB is a member of St. Paul’s Monastery and has been a teacher in child care centers and also a secretary. She is now part of the hospitality team of the Benedictine Center.
Rolaine Diethelm OSB is a hospitality minister of the Benedictine Center and a member of St. Paul's Monastery.  Prior to coming to the Center, Sister Rolaine worked as a teachers' aide.
2008-2009 Presenters

Nancy Anderson is a United Church of Christ pastor and an Oblate of St. Paul’s Monastery.

 

Steve Arnold is chaplain of Concordia University and founder of Pivot Point Ministries.

Charles Bobertz is Professor of Patristics and New Testament at Saint John’s School of Theology.

 

Mary Boespflug is the national director for the Ministry of Mothers Sharing, a ministry of St. Paul’s Monastery.

 

Michael Dennis Browne's award-winning poetry has appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, including The New Yorker and American Poetry Review. He is a distinguished teaching professor of English at the University of Minnesota where he has taught for 35 years.

Rev. Robert Brusic is pastor emeritus of Luther Seminary, St. Paul.

Fr. Michael Byron is associate professor of theology for The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, University of St. Thomas, and pastor of St. Cecilia’s Parish.

Bill Cahoy is dean of Saint John’s School of Theology.

Pat Connolly is a photographer who was traveled worldwide with Habitat for Humanity.

S. Joanne Dehmer SSND is a spiritual director on the staff of the Loyola Spirituality Center.

Geri DeStasio studied Tai-Ji for three years under supervision and is a frequent teacher of Tai-Ji and Qi-Gong.

Bernard Evans is associate professor of Christian Ethics at Saint John’s University School of Theology.

Fr. Paul Feela is Pastor of Lumen Christi Parish in Highland Park.

S. Mary Forman OSB is associate dean and professor of monastic studies at Saint John’s School of Theology.

Mary Ann Koth is a campus minster at UW-Eau Claire. She holds a master’s in pastoral ministry from Saint John’s School of Theology.

Jim Lamm is Parish Administrator for St. Edward’s Parish in Austin, Texas.

Stephen Lander is an Episcopal priest, licensed psychologist, and licensed marriage and family therapist.

 

LeAnn Linder-Scholer is a career and life counselor who has worked with hundreds of adults.

 

Mary Martin is a hospital chaplain and a member of the Benedictine Center’s spiritual direction team. Mary cared fulltime for her mother for nine months before her death in 2005.

 

Julie McCarty is a presenter and author of Pearl of Great Price: Gospel Wisdom for Christian Marriage.

Diane Millis is an educator, spiritual director, and Catholic laywoman who serves as a consultant for the Religion Division of the Lilly Endowment, Inc., working with theological schools, colleges and universities, congregations and spiritual formation programs throughout the country.

Clem and Elizabeth Nagel combine Clem’s poetry and love for nature with Elizabeth’s experience as a photographer, spiritual director and psychotherapist.

Ann O’Fallon, RN, MA, LP is a nurse-psychologist specializing in grief and loss.

 

S. Carol Rennie OSB is Prioress of St. Paul’s Monastery and a member of the Benedictine Center’s spiritual direction team.

 

Ruthie Rosauer is an experienced workshop and retreat leader using singing as a form of meditative practice.

David Sagula is a licensed psychologist and management consultant. He is also a member of the Confraternity of St. Gregory’s Abbey and has conducted numerous contemplative prayer retreats and workshops.

Fr. William Skudlarek is a monk of St. John’s Abbey.

S. Mary Margaret (Meg) Funk OSB is a distinguished Benedictine scholar and author. She is a member and former prioress of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana, and served as Executive Director of the Monastic Interreligious Dialogue.

S. Nancy Gunderson OSB is an artist, retreat leader, and member of Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck, ND.

S. Paula Hagen OSB is co-founder of Ministry of Mothers Sharing and a recognized consultant in the area of family ministry and a member of St. Paul’s Monastery.

Jean Haley, MLS, MS, MSW, LGSW is a social worker who has led mindfulness meditation in various settings.

Fr. Robert Hart is pastor at Transfiguration Parish in Maplewood and a frequent retreat director.

Elisabeth Horst is a full-time weaver. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology with experience in private practice.

Bill Hudson is Vice-President for Mission at Totino-Grace High School in Minneapolis.

Jeff Kaster is Director of Youth in Theology and Ministry at Saint John’s School of Theology.

Jim Smith is director of faith formation for St. Margaret Mary Parish in Golden Valley, Minnesota.

 

Barbara Sutton is Director of Ministerial Formation for the St. John’s School of Theology.

 

S. Carole Sweely OSB was a high school English and film teacher before returning to service in the monastery. She offers this course every year.

Peggy Thompson is a teacher and retreat leader in arts and spirituality. She is known in the art community as Margaret Carroll.

S. Mary White OSB is both a licensed psychotherapist and a skilled teacher of Christian meditation. Her works draws on the wisdom of the world’s great spiritual traditions as well as her extensive background in psychology and sociology. Email Mary

S. Eleanor Wartman OSB is a member and former prioress of St. Paul’s Monastery.

Fr. Thomas Keating is a member of St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado, and prominent author and teacher of Centering Prayer. He has presented the Centering Prayer method and its related mystical theology to gatherings of non-Christians, Protestants, and Roman Catholics worldwide.
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