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Local Catholic Spiritual Directors
with Short Bios
For complete list of Spiritual Directors from Spiritual Directors International see sdiworld.org
NOTE: This is NOT an official list approved by the Diocese of Camden, but rather a non-exhaustive directory of
individuals who fulfill the following criteria: they have completed Spiritual Direction Formation Programs, indicate
that they are in direction themselves and that they are in peer supervision.
Sister Josephine Aparo, MPF
312 West Upper Ferry Road, Trenton, NJ 08628
(609) 882-2766 sisterjo@comcast.net
Sr. Josephine Aparo, a member of the Religious Teachers Filippini since 1960, received her BA in
Mathematics from St. Elizabeth’s College, Convent Station and her MA in Mathematics from Trenton State
College. Sister taught Mathematics and Religion in junior high and high school for twelve years. In addition
to attending workshops in Spirituality and spending one year in a Poor Clare Monastery, Sr. Josephine
participated in a continuing internship program in Retreat Ministry and Spiritual Direction under the
direction of Rev. Charles Trundle, S.J., Scranton University. Sr. Josephine has been involved in retreat
ministry for 40 years and is presently stationed at Morning Star House of Prayer on the grounds of Villa
Victoria Academy in West Trenton.
Sister Carol Beevers, SSJ
Holy Saviour Convent, 30 Emerald Avenue, Westmont, NJ 08108
(239) 691-2835 srcarolbeevers@gmail.com
Carol Beevers, a Sister of St. Joseph of Philadelphia, has been involved in spiritual ministry since 1985.
She has a Master’s Degrees in Social Work from Catholic University and in Holistic Spirituality and
Spiritual Direction from Chestnut Hill College and believes in a holistic approach to personal and
spiritual growth. Her ministry experiences include: education, marriage and family therapy, parish
ministry and retreat house ministry. Presently, Carol ministers as a spiritual director and retreat director as
well as a supervisor for spiritual directors.
Kathleen Brewer
St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish, 200 W. Tuckahoe Road, Marmora, NJ 08230
(609) 602-8420 Kathy.brewer@gmail.com
Kathleen Brewer was trained by the An Croi School of Spiritual Direction. It is a creative and
contemplative approach to the practice of Holy Listening. Kathleen has served her parish as Eucharistic
Minister and religious education teacher. She is a retired educator from both the public and Catholic
Schools. Kathleen taught grades K through college during her career of 35 years. She has been trained in
grief counseling and hospice support for caretakers.
Sister Ann Byrnes, RSM
St. Thomas More Parish, 1439 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
(856) 424-3212 (609) 320-3709 Annbyrne46@aol.com
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Sister Ann Byrnes is a Sister of Mercy. She has a Masters in Theology from Notre Dame University and a
Masters in Holistic Spirituality/Spiritual Direction from Chestnut Hill College. Sister has been offering
Spiritual Direction since 1995. Sister Ann served her religious community as a Formation Director from
2001 to 2006. She is currently the Pastoral Associate at St. Thomas More Parish in Cherry Hill.
Sister Dolores Clerico, SSJ
Catholic Community of Christ Our Light, 402 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
(609) 330-4402 dclerico@gmail.com
Sister Dolores is a Sister of Saint Joseph. Her educational background includes a Master’s
Degree in Theology from St. Michael College, Vermont and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
from Chestnut Hill College. Her ministry experiences in parish, diocesan, and congregational
arenas include education, parish ministry, family ministry, ministry formation, retreats, spiritual
direction, and administration. Currently, Sister Dolores serves as a speaker, consultant, retreat
director, and spiritual director.
Deacon Michael A. D’Ariano
Deptford, NJ
(856) 430-8668
Deacon Michael is married, has four children and eight grandchildren. Currently he holds a MS
in Pastoral Counseling/ Spiritual Direction from Neumann University. He was ordained as a
minister in the Protestant tradition in July 1981. At age fifty, he converted to Catholicism and
was ordained as a permanent deacon in June of 2005 and is assigned to Holy Angles Parish in
Woodbury, NJ. He also works with Deeper Dimensions family support group at St Margaret’s
Church with families suffering from drug abuse. His pastoral paradigm is based on Matt 11:28-
30 where Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Carmen M. Díaz
Mays Landing, NJ
(609) 442-1733 cmariadiaz@msn.com
Carmen received her certification in Spiritual Direction from the Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine
Providence School of Spirituality, in affiliation with Franciscan University of Steubenville, in 2014. She
also has a second certification from the Oblates of the Virgin Mary (May 2017) and is working on full
certification as a director of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. She has been active in
various ministries in the Church, including youth ministry, social justice, and music ministry. She is a
member of the Church of St. Bridget in Glassboro. Her full time occupation is as a Principal Software
Engineer, and although she enjoys being an engineer, she enjoys helping others get closer to the Lord
even more. Please feel free to contact her via email or phone for an initial interview. Carmen is available
for spiritual direction in both Spanish and English.
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Carmen recibió su certificación en la dirección espiritual de la Escuela de Espiritualidad del Cenáculo de
Nuestra Señora de la Divina Providencia, en afiliación con la Universidad Franciscana de Steubenville, en
el 2014. También ha recibido una segunda certificación de los Oblatos de la Virgen Maria (Mayo 2017) y
está trabajando en recibir la certificación completa como directora de los Ejercicios Espirituales de San
Ignacio de Loyola. Ella ha estado activa en varios ministerios de la Iglesia, que incluye el ministerio de
jóvenes, justicia social, y el ministerio de música. Ella es miembro de la Iglesia de Santa Brígida en
Glassboro. Ella trabaja a tiempo completo como Ingeniera Principal de Software, y aunque ella disfruta
siendo una ingeniera, ella disfruta aún más ayudar a otros acercarse al Señor. Siéntese libre en contactarla
por teléfono o por correo electrónico para una entrevista inicial. Carmen está disponible para la dirección
espiritual en español y en inglés.
Kathleen L. Egan, PhD
Ocean City, New Jersey
(215)-694-4651 klegan.chapla[email protected]
Kathy received her certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Upper Room in Neptune, NJ in 2016. She
was certified as a health care chaplain in 2008 and served in hospital and hospice settings in Philadelphia
before retirement. Kathy had previously earned her doctorate in Health Professions Education at the
University of Pennsylvania (1986) and worked for many years in medical and nursing education. She
continues to have a strong interest in spiritual care of the elderly and spirituality in health care and
occasionally talks with nursing and geriatric medicine students on these topics. Kathy has practiced
Centering Prayer for many years and is grounded in Franciscan as well as Benedictine spirituality. Kathy
currently meets with people for spiritual direction at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church of Resurrection parish
in Marmora and St. Francis of Assisi parish on Long Beach Island NJ.
Suzy R. Eyler
Cherry Hill, NJ
(609) 254-1788 eylersuzy@gmail.com
Suzy has a Master’s degree in Theology from the University of Dayton and earned a Certificate in Spiritual
Direction from Neumann University. She currently meets with directees at Christ Our Light Parish in Cherry
Hill, NJ and can also meet in her home in Deptford. NJ. Appointments are typically in the afternoon on
weekdays and on Saturday mornings. Her long-time interest is in all matters that promote human dignity
which has been nourished by many years in Catholic education. She is recently retired from teaching high
school Religious Studies. Suzy is privileged to share the spiritual journey of those she meets.
Debra Ann Gebbia
53 Kings Highway, W, Haddonfield, NJ 08033
C (856) 571-3253 H (856) 795-0921 Debra.Gebbia@gmail.com
Debra holds M.S. in Pastoral Care and Counseling with a concentration in spiritual direction. Her ongoing
formation includes workshops in art journaling, dreams, loss and grief, depression, Christian mysticism and
working with victims of sexual abuse. Debra is a member and presenter for “Women of the Well” where
she has conducted days of prayer and ritual for women of all faiths.
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Madalyn (Madge) Hempsey
1140 Lawnton Ave,West Deptford, NJ 08096
H (856) 848-5346 C (856) 430-8888 humorm[email protected]
Madalyn is a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Camden. She is the widowed mother of three and
grandmother of 15 children. She believes that the spiritual journey is the best trip we take in life and she
enjoys sharing this journey with others on the path. Madalyn was formed as a spiritual director through the
Shalem Institute for Spiritual Direction in Bethesda, MD and completed the course in 2000. She continues
to learn and grow in the ministry of Spiritual Direction. As a “Midwife To The Soul”, Twelve Step
Spirituality, especially step 11, has been a major factor in her life for more than 30 years. For the past 15
years she has given retreats at the Marianist Family Retreat Center, Cape May Point, for women and special
retreats for widows. Her latest interest is being in connection with those entering and/or experiencing the
elder phases of life and the doors opened from that experience. She feels that God has something more for
her to do and is keeping an open mind.
Marylou Jacoby
Neptune, NJ
(609) 698-8482; maryloujacoby13@gmail.com
Marylou received her certificate in Spiritual Direction in 1998 from The Upper Room Spiritual Center,
Neptune, NJ and retreat director certification in 2002. She is currently a team member for Rachel Vineyard
Retreats. Marylou serves as Spiritual Director at The Upper Room Spiritual Center, Neptune, NJ.
Catherine G. Johnson
1240 Folkestone Way, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
(856) 220-0171; cjohnson@christourlight.net
Cathy is the Pastoral Associate for Lifelong Faith Formation at the Catholic Community of Christ Our Light
and a founding co-director of Heartful Ministries, an organization providing liturgical and spiritual
formation to faith communities. She holds a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Villanova University,
and Master of Science in Pastoral Care and Counseling (Spiritual Direction) from Neumann University. Her
ministry and professional experience also includes national speaking engagements, teaching and campus
ministry, directing music ministry, and coaching several different sports. She co-authored a book of prayer
services and several lectionary based resources. She is happily married to her husband, Paul, also a music
minister.
Lillian Maldonado-Cilento
Toms River, NJ
H (732) 929-8734: .C (848) 333-8659 [email protected]
Lillian is a certified Spiritual Director, a graduate of the "Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence School
of Spirituality" in affiliation with the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. She was Commissioned
as a Lay Ecclesial Minister for the Diocese of Trenton in 2008 and has an MA in Theology from Georgian
Court University. She is part of the teaching team for Lab 1 Communication Skills in the Diocese of
Trenton. Lillian is a member of St. Justin Parish where she serves as a lector, Extraordinary Minister of
Holy Communion, and is part of the RCIA team. She works at St. Joseph Parish in Toms River in the parish
office. With her experience as a Physician Assistant, she also works with the elderly managing their health
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care issues, while at the same time nurturing their spiritual well-being. Married for more than 30 years, she
has 3 adult children.
Sister Mary J. McGarrity, IHM
Runnemede, NJ
(856) 939-5508, smary1@hotmail.com
Sr. Mary, is currently the Bishop’s Delegate for Women Religious for the Diocese of Camden. Over the
years, she has served as a secondary school teacher and school minister in various high schools in
Pennsylvania, Florida, Chile and Peru. Sister Mary received her B.A. from Immaculata University, her
Master from Villanova University, studied spirituality at Duquesne University and received a Post Graduate
Certificate in Church Leadership/Spirituality from Boston College. Before it closed, Sister ministered in
New Jersey at the Pius X Retreat Center where she gave retreats and accompanied others on their spiritual
journey. Sister is a member of Spiritual Directors International.
Sister Claire McNichol, SSJ
Holy Savior Convent, 30 Emerald Avenue, Westmont, NJ 08108
(856) 240-1775 or cmcnicholssj@yahoo.com
Sister Claire, a Sister of Saint Joseph, is certified in Spiritual Direction and Directed Prayer Retreats by the
SSJ Center for Spirituality, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. She is also a supervisor for spiritual directors and a
Certified Mid-Life Directions Consultant. Sr. Claire is presently a Pastoral Associate for Blessed Teresa of
Calcutta Parish in Westmont/Collingswood, NJ.
Sister Maria Metzger, SSJ
516 Lafayette and Ocean Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
W (609) 884-5312 ext 109, smariassj@gmail.com
Maria Metzger is a Sister of St Joseph of Chestnut Hill. She holds a Masters in Theology from Saint Louis
University and a Masters in Spirituality and Spiritual Direction from Chestnut Hill College. Maria has
ministered as a teacher, Director of Religious Education, a Pastoral Associate and in Retreat House
ministry. Presently, Maria is the Pastoral Associate for Lifelong Formation at Star of the Sea in Cape May.
Marie Mitarotondo
Seeking the Holy Spiritual Direction
(856) 685-9320 or SHSpirDir@gmail.com
Marie Mitarotondo is a certified Spiritual Director with over 30 years of experience in various ministries,
including campus and parish work, ecumenical collaboration, social justice issues, end of life concerns,
and bereavement support. In 2014, her desire to return to Spiritual Direction was confirmed by an
invitation to collaborate with the Wellness Center at what is now Virtua at Lourdes.
Marie has a special interest in recognizing the Holy in all circumstances, nurturing the creative spark, and
helping to heal those suffering grief and loss. Marie is also certified to teach the Grief Recovery
Method(TM), an educational process through which the broken-hearted can complete their grief and move
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forward with peace and joy. She is available for retreats and days of recollection. Located in South Jersey,
Marie is married with four young adult children, and is comfortable meeting with seekers of any faith
tradition or with no religious affiliation. Marie invites you to come seek the Holy!
Sandy Mullarky, RN, MA
Church of St. Anselm, 1028 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07712
(732) 493-4411 x102
or
Church of Epiphany, 615 Thiele Road, Brick Town, NJ 08724
(732) 458-0220 or sandramull@comcast.net
Sandy is Pastoral Associate for the Church of St. Anselm, and Coordinator of Parish Wellness and past
DRE for the Church of Epiphany. She holds an MA in Holistic Health and an MA in Theology from
Georgian Court University. She was Commissioned as a Lay Ecclesial Minister for the Diocese of Trenton
in 2004, and is a Spiritual Director with certification from the Upper Room Spiritual Center in
Neptune. She has ministered within the Church for over 25 years. She is a Secular Franciscan and retired
school nurse. Sandy is married 47 years with 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren. Sandy offers Spiritual
Direction in Tinton Falls.
Bruno Multari
Bayville, NJ
(732) 232-4193 or bmultari@aol.com
Bruno received his certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Upper Room Spiritual Center in Neptune. He
is a member of St. Barnabas Parish in Bayville. There, he has served in various ministries for more than 45
years, including parish council, stewardship, evangelization, lectoring, RCIA, and the Landings program for
returning Catholics. Bruno was Commissioned as a Lay Ecclesial Minister for the Diocese of Trenton in
2006 and has an MA in Theology from Georgian Court University. Bruno is married, father of two, and
grandfather. He has worked for over 40 years as a speech/language pathologist.
Marian L. Repice
St. Pius X Parish 300 W. Lacey Road Forked River, NJ 08731
(609) 971-7452 marianrep@comcast.net Parish office: 609-693-5107
Marian holds a diocesan certificate in Spiritual Direction through Francis House of Prayer, Westampton,
NJ. She has been involved in numerous parish ministries and is an experienced spiritual director. Daytime
appointments are available at several locations; please call the direct number or send an email for fastest
response.
Deanna V. Sass, M.A.
20 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ
C (609) 213-6975 or Journey[email protected]
Deanna Sass serves as Director of Pastoral Care in the Diocese of Trenton. She is certified in Spiritual
Direction, Ignatian Retreats, Supervision of Spiritual Directors, Chaplaincy (CPE), Grief and Bereavement,
and the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator. She is a NJ state licensed counselor/psychotherapist and a
National Certified Counselor, in addition to her training in Spiritual Direction. Deanna has ministered in
the Church for more than 30 years, including having co-founded and administrated the Institute for Lay
Ecclesial Ministry and has held numerous parish, hospital and Catholic school posts. She holds a BA in
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Theology, an MA in Pastoral Ministry/Pastoral Counseling and an MA in Clinical Counseling-Psychology.
Married for 38 years and the mother of five young adults, she is also the grandma of a beautiful little
grandson. Deanna practices a contemplative style of Spiritual Direction in which she helps directees notice
the presence of God in all aspects of life and accompanies them as they discern how they will respond to
God’s unconditional love. She sees directees, and counseling clients (but does not offer both to the same
person) by appointment, at her office in downtown Princeton.
Mary Anne B. Serra BA, MS RN
Vineland area
(856) 981-6338 or mabs0960@gmail.com
Mary Anne completed her studies in spiritual direction at Neumann University with an MS in Pastoral Care
& Counseling/Spiritual Direction in May of 2012. Her journey to this vocation began soon after she became
an RN and found that healing a person’s body was only part of what God was calling her to do. Through
diverse experiences - accompanying people through loss and grief in hospice, and hope and healing for
those dealing with post abortion syndrome as Project Rachel outreach coordinator – Mary Anne has been
privileged to witness God’s grace and mercy in action. Currently she is developing a program titled Living
the Mysteries to integrate the body, mind and spirit through the Rosary. She is open to inquiries from those
seeking a spiritual director. She can be contacted via email or cell phone. She is centrally located in the
Vineland area. Mary Anne is open to working with a group of 3-4 directees for group direction, and has
weekend and evening availability.
SisterMarcy Springer, SSJ
Francis House of Prayer, 84 Walnford Road, Allentown, NJ 08501
(609) 877-0509 or FHOP@verizon.net
Sister Marcy Springer has served as a Spiritual Director for more than twenty-five years and has formed and
supervised Spiritual Directors for over 15 years. She is Director of Francis House of Prayer.
Patricia Stephens
155 Cherry Street, Long Branch, NJ 07740.
(732) 728-0221 or patsstephens@comcast.net
Patricia has worked as a Catholic and public school teacher for over 30 years. She has also been a
Religious Education Director in three parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark: Saints Peter and Paul in
Hoboken, Saint John Nepomucene in Guttenberg, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Lyndhurst. Pat is a
large group retreat presenter, a Spiritual Director, and visits parishes to give talks on various spiritual
topics. She is currently on staff at St. Joseph Retreat Center in Staten Island, NY.
Deacon Michael Taylor
St Joseph Parish, 685 Hooper Ave, Toms River NJ 08753
mikelt5@comcast.net or cell (732) 330-4542
Deacon Michael was ordained a permanent deacon in 1978 for the Archdiocese of Newark NJ. He
incardinated in Trenton NJ Diocese in 1999. After being in spiritual direction for all of his ministry he
answered a call "to see what it was like in the 'other chair'". He holds a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
from Francis House of Prayer, Rancocas NJ and continues ongoing spiritual formation at Francis House
of Prayer since his commissioning in September 2012.
Updated 10/29/19
