Core Faculty

Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, is a Roman Catholic priest, member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and served as president of Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas for fifteen years before retiring in September 2020. Rolheiser is a theologian, professor, and award-winning author. Ron created the ground-breaking program Forest Dwelling: Spirituality for our Wisdom Years as an invitation for learning, growth and inner transformation. Apart from his academic knowledge in systematic theology and philosophy, he has become a popular speaker in contemporary spirituality and religion and the secular world. He writes a weekly column that is carried in over 70 newspapers around the world. You can learn more about Fr. Ron – and read his past and current weekly columns – at https://ronrolheiser.com/

The Rev. Mary Earle, Ph.D. is an Episcopal Priest, Author, Poet, Retreat Leader and Spiritual Director. Until her retirement, she taught classes in spirituality for the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. Mary has authored ten books; the subjects include the spirituality of living with illness, rule of life, Celtic Christian spirituality, the Desert Mothers, and Julian of Norwich. Her latest is a book of her poetry. Mary has offered presentations and retreats in a variety of ecumenical settings, including conferences of the Academy for Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Directors International, the International Thomas Merton Society, Oblate School of Theology and hospice organizations. She has written articles for a variety of journals, including Presence: the Journal of Spiritual Directors International, Radical Grace, Reflections, and The Lutheran. Mary and her husband Doug live in San Antonio, Texas with their border collie, Fiona, a cat named Xóchi, and lots of garden flora and fauna.  Mary is also a knitter and weaver, so her office is full of skeins and balls of yarn. Their son Jason is a professor of French at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. Mary and Doug were numbered among the 2018 recipients of the Humanitarian Award from United Communities of San Antonio for their contributions to eliminating racism, prejudice and bullying and for their work to promote inclusiveness and diversity in the community.

Marilyn McEntyre, Ph.D.‘s writing and teaching focus on spirituality, reading, writing, and healing.  Marilyn has worked with the Center on Aging at U.C. Berkeley and is a fellow at their Program in Medical Humanities.  Two books that draw on her work as hospice volunteer are A Faithful Farewell: Living Your Last Chapter with Love, and A Long Letting Go: Meditations on Losing Someone You Love. In her book, Patient Poets: Illness from Inside Out, Marilyn offers deep reflections on the poetry of those who are living with illness and disability.  Other books include Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict; When Poets Pray; and Make a List: How a Simple Practice Can Change your Life and Open your Heart. Marilyn has taught college students, seminarians, medical students, and adult learners for many years and leads retreats and writing workshops around the country. She loves to coach both experienced writers and anyone who wants to write just to see what happens. You can learn more about Marilyn at http://www.marilynmcentyre.com

Our Presenters

Steve Bell, C.M., O.M. is a Winnipeg-based singer-songwriter who has released 21 albums over a 30-year career, with album sales exceeding 400,000 units. Add four concert videos, five songbooks, and more than 3,000 live shows, and you have a body of work equaled by few artists in any genre. Beyond the commercial success, Steve’s music has garnered many accolades, including three JUNO Awards, numerous Western Canadian Music and Covenant (CGMA) Awards, and the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Steve has performed his material over 30 times with nine symphony orchestras, to sold-out and capacity crowds, including the iconic Massey Hall in Toronto. In 2021, Steve was recognized with the Order of Manitoba, and in 2022, he was inducted into the Order of Canada, an honour presented to those “whose service has shaped our society, whose innovations have ignited our imaginations, and whose compassion has united our communities.” His remarkable longevity, characterized by an unwavering dedication to social and artistic endeavours, has garnered him a substantial and steadfast fan base that continues growing in Canada and the United States. Steve is currently working on a series of online guitar masterclasses based on the songs he’s written and recorded over the years, along with the continued release of new episodes of his podcast, Way Stations. He continues to perform regularly, having recently completed tours in Western Canada and Northern Ontario. Early in 2024, Steve began work on his 22nd album, called “The Glad Surprise,” which was released in the fall and features a cover of Bruce Cockburn’s iconic song “Lovers In A Dangerous Time”. Steve lives with his wife Nanci in Winnipeg, Treaty 1 Territory and homeland of the Métis Nation. You can learn more about Steve at www.stevebell.com

Mary Coswin, OSB grew up in Winnipeg, and has been a Benedictine Sister and member of the Monastery in Winnipeg since 1965. She has enjoyed time teaching junior and senior high school, counseling adolescents, offering youth retreats and spiritual direction to adult seekers as well as training new directors. For a stint of five wonderful years Mary worked in spiritual direction and retreats at Providence Renewal Centre in Edmonton and was a ‘house mother’ for Diakonos House, a residence for first responders who needed a time out. Her most recent ministry was as Director of her community’s Retreat Centre for 23 years; she was blessed with opportunities to welcome and gather people to a safe place for learning, rest and finding meaning in their lives. Currently she engages with Benedictine Oblates of her community, an association of women and men who desire to live Benedictine Spirituality in their daily lives. In her spare time, Mary reads, takes photos, dabbles in card-making, and keeping up with friends over a walk, a drink or a meal. You can contact Sr. Mary at marymcoswin@gmail.com

Paula D’Arcy has traveled widely in the United States, Canada and abroad as a writer, retreat leader, playwright and speaker. In 2001 she founded Red Bird Foundation in order to support the spiritual development and growth of men and women living in disadvantaged circumstances, including those in jails and prisons.  Paula’s ministry grew from a life changing experience in 1975 when she survived a drunk driving accident which took the lives of her husband and twenty-one-month-old daughter. Pregnant at the time, Paula gave birth to a second daughter six months later and began a long journey of healing. In time she became a psychotherapist to those facing issues of grief and loss, and her recent work includes offering writing retreats, Women’s Rites of Passage, and Circles dedicated to the opening of the heart. Her two favorite places to be are at the ocean and lying underneath the night sky.  You can learn more about Paula at https://www.redbirdfoundation.com/

Jean Epp-Gauthier, B.A. is a former high school teacher. During her teaching career, she taught Visual Arts and English as an Additional Language, among other classes.  For many years, Jean has had a keen interest in free form, intuitive mandala making as a journey in self-exploration, self-acceptance, and healing, not to mention a moment of fun and relaxation in a sometimes troubled and hectic world. She has led mandala workshops with students, teachers, seniors, and cancer survivors. Jean lives near Saskatoon SK and has been an instructor for the Growing in Wisdom program since its inception in 2021. She is thrilled to be known as ‘Grandma!’ You can contact Jean at jeppgauthier@gmail.com

Kalyn Falk, M.A. is a spiritual director and an Instructor for the Conflict Resolution Studies program at the University of Winnipeg in partnership with Canadian Mennonite University. She was involved in the Shekinah Formation Program in spiritual direction for the past 10 years, at first as a co-Director alongside Sister Mary Coswin, and then serving as Director from 2020 to the fall of 2024. Kalyn has been honoured to accompany people in spiritual direction and retreats for more than 20 years. Her hope is to create spaces where people can learn and practice processes of deep listening in order to become more fully themselves, transform their relationships, and restore their connection to the Sacred. Kalyn lives in Winnipeg with her partner, David.

Julien Fradette, M.Div. is a father, grandfather and lifelong seeker on the spiritual journey.  His principal professional career has been in public education. Following studies for his M.Div., he concluded his career as Director of Pastoral Services for the RC Archdiocese of St. Boniface.  Julien is a graduate of the Forest Dwelling Program, Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, where he studied the Spirituality of Aging, and serves as an Elder Circle Leader for Cohorts One and Two with the Growing in Wisdom program. You can contact Julien at jfrad33@gmail.com

Will Gordon, M.A. was born in rural Scotland, and before emigrating to Canada in 1975, he gained a Masters degree in Art and Design from Birmingham College of Art in England. After several years of teaching at University of Calgary, Will moved to Vancouver Island. While continuing his art and teaching practice, Will also worked as a graphic artist for the B.C. Ministry of Parks, and later for the B.C. Ministry of Forests. Will’s love and deep appreciation for the natural world has been enhanced through extensive travels throughout remote parts of B.C, as a data collector for research by B.C. Ministry of Forests. From 2002 until retirement in 2018, Will was an outreach worker for a mental health agency in Victoria, B.C. This work also included a position as Education Coach, supporting young students dealing with serious mental health issues while attending Camosun College and University of Victoria. Through his experience in connecting art, teaching, nature and mental wellness, Will is excited to present Forest Bathing as an important part of spiritual wellness in the later years of life. You can contact Will at willgo14@hotmail.com

Margi Hollingshead, Ph.D. is retired from the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Regina where she served for 14 years.  Previously she was the Director of Regina Christian Counselling Centre and taught for 19 years at Canadian Bible College in Regina.  She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Wisconsin as well as a PhD in higher education from Walden University.  Margi is a lay member of the Sisters of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, where she serves on the Oblate Advisory Team.  Margi is a graduate of the Growing in Wisdom program, Cohort One, and offers occasional workshops for the GiW community. In 2023, Margi moved from Regina to Bloomington, Illinois, to be closer to family and to enjoy milder winters. She is committed to expanding our horizons as people of faith in a diverse world and, these days, her dual Canadian-USA citizenship leans heavily on the Canadian side. You can contact Margi at margi.hollingshead@gmail.com

Connie Hopkins, ThM, MSC is a wife, mother, grandmother and continuous student.  While teaching elementary students, she began her first theology courses at Newman Theological College eventually completing her Master of Theology.  It was while living and teaching in Guatemala with her husband that she began and later completed her Master of Science through the New York Buffalo State University. She has completed the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, finding it truly to be a many-month retreat in the real world. Currently Connie is beginning her second year of the Becoming/Presence program in the ministry of spiritual direction.  Connie is a graduate of the Forest Dwelling Program, Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, studying the Spirituality of Aging. Connie has served as an Elder Circle Leader for Cohorts One and Two of Growing in Wisdom. Personally, Connie thanks God for her life of sharing 53 years of marriage with Bill, continuous family time with three daughters, sons-in-law, 8 grandchildren, yearlong camping, painting, colored pencil drawing, gardening, and serving with her husband in the prison ministry at the Edmonton Remand Centre. You can contact Connie at interconnie@hotmail.com

Sally Ito, BFA (Creative Writing), M.A. (English) is a writer and translator who lives in Winnipeg, Treaty One Treaty, ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Dakota and Dene people and the homeland of the Métis Nation. She is a creative writing instructor at Canadian Mennonite University. Sally is the author of four books of poetry, Frogs in the Rain Barrel (1996), Season of Mercy (1999), Alert to Glory (2011), and Heart’s Hydrography (2022). She has also published a collection of short stories called Floating Shore in 1998 and is perhaps best known for her 2018 memoir The Emperor’s Orphans about the 4,000 Japanese Canadians who were repatriated to Japan during World War II. You can learn more about Sally by visiting these websites: https://www.cmu.ca/about/faculty/574 and https://writersunion.ca/member/sally-ito

Cliff Knighten, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Spirituality at Oblate School of Theology where he also directs the Master of Arts in Spirituality degree program. Cliff ‘s dissertation examined the impact of modern secularity on contemporary spiritual practice with a particular focus on Charles Taylor, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Raimon Panikkar. Other research interests include early Modern spiritualities, mysticism, the phenomenology of religious experience, and Buddhism. He is also an active spiritual director and a member of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality, the American Academy of Religion, and the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies. His interests include: Secularity, Phenomenology of religious experience, Religion and the body, Interspirituality and multiple religious belonging, Contemplative practice and Mysticism. You can learn more about Cliff at www.ost.edu/ost-directory/dr-cliff-knighten

The Rev. Tanis McLeod Kolisnyk, M.A. (Theology) is a Red River Métis sessional instructor at the University of Winnipeg, Canadian Mennonite University and St. John’s College in Winnipeg. She worked at UW for 21+ years primarily supporting Indigenous students, Coordinator of the UW Indigenous Student Services Center, cultural programs and academic advising duties.  University of Winnipeg Degrees: MA in Theology 2015, Thesis: Indigenous Anglicans – A New Agape and the Path to Self-Determination; Management Studies Certificate 2008, BA in Music 2000.  Teaching areas continue in the areas of Religion/Culture, Indigenous Studies, Indigenous/Christian Spirituality and Theology. Rev. Tanis was ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican Diocese of Rupert’s Land in 2013, serving at Epiphany Indigenous Anglican Church, Winnipeg, and St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Winnipeg Beach. The Elders Circle of the Diocese of Rupert’s Land entrusts Rev. Tanis to Coordinate Rupert’s Land Wechetowin efforts and designates her as a Knowledge Keeper for the Anglican Indigenous community.  Métis roots and scrip are linked to McLeod / Harper / Irving / Swain / Cumming / Fidler families in East Selkirk/Tyndal in Red River Métis homeland. The Manitoba Métis Federation has had Rev. Tanis serving on many boards over 30 years, (Louis Riel Institute Board of Directors, Kinew Métis Council Treasurer, ANCR Board, and Local Management Board Wpg). Tanis and Lorne have been married for 46 years and are parents to four grown adults and have five grandchildren all living in Red River.  You can contact Rev. Tanis at tanis_kolisnyk@shaw.ca

Rev. David Maginley, M. Div., CSCP David is a chaplain, author, and public speaker. Recently retired as a spiritual counselor at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, David is the award-winning author of Beyond Surviving: Cancer and Your Spiritual Journey and the newly released book, Early Exits: Spirituality, Mortality and Meaning in an Age of Medical Assistance in Dying. David has also survived cancer four times, which resulted in a profound near-death experience and explorations in the nature of consciousness and the connection of body, mind and spirit. He knows what it’s like to have cancer from both sides of the hospital bed, and has a sense of this life from both sides of the veil. David is ordained with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, specialist with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care, member of Canadian Association for Psychosocial Oncology, the International Association for Near-Death Studies, and is featured in the documentaries Here Right Now and When You Die. You can learn more about David at https://www.davidmaginley.com/

Dianne Mantyka, D. Min. loves to accompany any who search to be fully alive in relation to God, self, others, and nature. She is a retreat facilitator, spiritual director, supervisor of spiritual directors, and co-directed the past 3 cohorts of the Queen’s House Retreat & Renewal Centre’s Spiritual Director Formation Program. She was an Elder Circle Leader for the first Growing in Wisdom program, 2021-2023. Her background is ecumenical and includes contemplative prayer, CPE, Ignatian spirituality, Boundless Compassion, Transforming Community, an MDiv and a DMin. Dianne’s spirituality is lived out in the context of being a wife, caregiver, stepmom, and Oma. She believes God is always making all things new as we attentively surrender to Christ’s love and compassion. Her experience allows her to connect with a variety of people. You can learn more about Dianne at https://www.saskatoonspiritualdirectorsassociation.com/gallery.

Linda McCann, M.A. (Psychology)  finds inspiration in writing, photography, nature, and the exchange of ideas they inspire. She treasures time with her family, especially her four great-grandsons. She brings over 40 years of experience facilitating personal and leadership development programs across Canada and is a lifelong learner whose studies include the Enneagram, Compassionate Communication, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Emotional Intelligence (EQi). Her interspiritual path, shaped primarily by Buddhist, Vedic, and Christian traditions continues to guide her daily life. Linda currently serves as an Elder Circle Leader for the Second Cohort of Growing in Wisdom. You can learn more about Linda at www.womeninleadershipforlife.ca

Rev. Rick McCorrister, M. Div. is an experienced spiritual director, educator, and group facilitator who enjoys sharing his passion for the spiritual journey with others and focusing on ways to strengthen their spiritual journey. He has studied the Enneagram in its various forms for over 20 years and has a significant appreciation for its use in self-understanding, in relationship building, and as a map for the spiritual journey. As a long-time educator, he brings a process of presentation and individual and group work to every event he coordinates. To facilitate a deep understanding of the Enneagram for our current lives, Rick incorporates the work of many contemporary Enneagram teachers along with that of George I. Gurdjieff, an early 20th century mystic. Rick is a graduate of the Pacific Jubilee Program in Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction and was an Elder Circle Leader for the Growing in Wisdom program 2021-2023. You can contact Rick at richard.mccorrister@gmail.com

Brenda Nightingale/Rev. Komyo Seido began Rinazai Zen practice at Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen-ji in Seattle, Washington where she was later ordained and worked as a Buddhist Chaplain in King County Jail and Bailey Boushay Hospice. Following ordination she then entered Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji Monastery in Livingston Manor, New York to continue her study and practice of Zen. Since 2010 she has been teaching and leading traditional Zen meditation retreats in Canada, the United States and Europe as well as sharing the traditional Zen Art forms of Chado (Tea Ceremony) and Kado (Flower Arranging). You can contact Brenda at zenmunightingale@hotmail.com

The Right Rev. Donald Phillips, Ph.D. is a retired Anglican Church of Canada diocesan bishop. He served the Diocese of Rupert’s Land for over 18 years, retiring in 2018. During that time he managed to complete a PhD degree from Durham University (UK) specializing in Christology, Liturgy and Culture. Before taking on episcopal ministry, he served as a parish priest and a diocesan ministry developer in two different dioceses on the Canadian Prairies. Worship, music, and supporting the ministries of all the baptized have always been at the heart of his ministry. Following his retirement from full-time episcopal ministry, he developed and taught courses in liturgical theology and contextual theology. He is currently writing a book whose working title is A New Christology for a Postmodern Culture: Knowing Christ Today. Don is married to Nancy Phillips, and together they have two sons and six grandchildren. In mid-life he took up physical fitness, and served as a volunteer Fitness Instructor for 25 years with the local YM/YWCA until the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020. He continues to enjoy running and taking daily walks with Nancy. Don coordinates the daily Vespers services for the Growing in Wisdom Intensives. You can contact Don at phillipsdd27@gmail.com.

The Rev. Elaine Pinto is a former teacher who has served in para church groups as Bible study guide and retreat leader while raising a family. In mid-life, theological study led to ten years of hospital chaplaincy, and further study in the Christian Contemplative tradition. Through St. Benedict’s Monastery in Winnipeg, Elaine became a Spiritual Director, and a Benedictine Oblate. She is a member of St. Margaret’s Anglican Church where she has served in Pastoral Care as a deacon. Elaine was an Elder Circle Leader for the first Growing in Wisdom program, 2021-2023. Though recently widowed, her life remains deeply enriched with her family (now totalling 18). As a Grandmother, she is often glad for “another chance” with raising children! You can contact Elaine at pinto.elaine.m@gmail.com

Francine Puglia, M.A. recently retired as from parish ministry and serves as a spiritual director, and an Elder Circle Leader for the Growing in Wisdom program, Cohort Two. She is a wife, mom, and Nana. She is drawn to Ignatian Spirituality and Passionist Spirituality and sense the essential charism of a spiritual director is that of listening.  Francine is a graduate of the 2021-2023 Growing in Wisdom program. You can contact Francine at francine.puglia@gmail.com

Vincent Solomon Vince likes to be in nature to listen to God and be part of the cathedral of praise that is creation. He is Cree from Norway House Cree Nation and proud he was placed on earth to be a Cree man. He is husband to Kris and father to Daniel. Currently Vince works as Urban Indigenous Ministry Developer and Priest at Epiphany Indigenous Anglican Church, Winnipeg MN. He has worked for the Mennonite Central Committee as Coordinator of the Indigenous Neighbours program and as Aboriginal Liaison and Cultural Teacher for St. James Assiniboia School Division. You can contact Vince at uimd@rupertsland.ca

Brian Walsh, Ph.D. is an award-winning author of more than a dozen books, a retired campus minister, farmer and theologian. His most recent book is Rags of Light: Leonard Cohen and the Landscape of Biblical Imagination, and an article exploring Dr. Walsh’s interest in Cohen and his music can be found here: https://theanglican.ca/book-explores-cohens-spiritual-landscape/. To learn more about the ministry Brian offers, visit https://www.bibleremixed.ca/

Our Staff

Nancy Phillips is a Spiritual Director, Retired Nurse, Grandmother, Retreat Director, and Benedictine Oblate who finds solace in green spaces.  She is a graduate of the Shekinah: Formation in Spiritual Direction program and graduate of the Forest Dwelling Program, Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, studying the Spirituality of Aging. Nancy is the Program Coordinator and curriculum developer of Growing in Wisdom: Seeking Deeper Generativity and lives in Winnipeg MB.

Sarah Donnelly, M. Div. celebrated 30 years in ministry in 2024. She is a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and was the Director of Programming at Queen’s House Retreat & Renewal Centre in Saskatoon SK for 7 years prior to the retreat centre closing in August 2024. In October 2024 Sarah launched her own small business: Spirit River Community – A Retreat Centre Without Walls.  www.spiritrivercommunity.org She is a graduate of St. Peter’s Seminary (M.Div.) in London, ON and received her spiritual direction training through The Haden Institute: Spiritual Direction in the Jungian Mystical Christian Tradition. Sarah is also a graduate of the Forest Dwelling Program, Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, studying the Spirituality of Aging. She assists Nancy Phillips, her ‘work wife’, in creating the Growing in Wisdom program as the Program Administrator. You can learn more about Sarah at www.sarahdonnelly.ca

Our Supporters

Growing in Wisdom: Seeking Deeper Generativity is supported by the following: