Summer Directed Retreat I 2025

Sister Pat is a Sister of St. Joseph of Philadelphia who has served in education and parish ministries. She earned Master’s Degrees in English at Villanova University and Theology at St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT, as well as her certificate in Spiritual Direction and Ignatian Retreats from Creighton University. She has directed weekend and 8 day retreats, and in addition, she has given days of prayer,  led Bible study, facilitated book groups to discover how to find God in all genres of literature, and conducted workshops on discernment, praying the Examen, and other spiritual topics.

Sr. Mary Elizabeth Looby is a Grey Nun of the Sacred Heart. She holds a BA in History and Political Science from D’Youville College; a M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Temple University. Her training for spiritual direction and retreat ministry was at Bon Secours Spiritual Center in MD. She added a certification in Spiritual Direction from Neumann University, followed by a M.S. in Pastoral Care and Counseling with an Emphasis in Spiritual Care at Neumann. She has served as a spiritual director for 30 plus years and directed retreats in MD, PA, NY, NJ, CT and RI. She has served in formation ministry, worked with GNSH Associates and congregational leadership in her congregation.

Sister Jean Marie Pisula is a Sister of the Holy Family Of Nazareth, who just recently returned from 26 years of missionary service in the Philippines. Her Masters degree in Spirituality at Creighton University and her studies and practicum at the Ignatian Spirituality Center in the Philippines have helped her to do ministries like Bible Studies, Religious Life and Teacher Formation, Spiritual Direction, Directed Retreats, and Family Ministry. Ignatius’ Principal and Foundation of experiencing God’s unconditional love is inspirational to her and in accord with Nazareth’s charism and mission of Extending the Kingdom of God’s love.

Sister Mary has been a Spiritual Director at St. Raphaela Center for many years. Her internship program in spiritual direction began with the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Center for Spirituality in Chestnut Hill, PA. She earned her undergraduate degree in Education at Chestnut Hill College and a Master's of Arts in Spirituality from Duquesne. She has completed the spiritual direction program at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, PA. As a Sister of St. Joseph, Mary has served as directress of novices and as a congregational area delegate for her community. She has directed the 30-day and 8-day retreats, and has conducted workshops over the years on prayer and discernment.

Dr. Margaret Scott, a Handmaid of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is an experienced spiritual director and retreat giver. Her fluency in several languages, international travel and mission work have provided her with a global view and understanding of the universal church. She is a regular speaker and writer on the Eucharist in different countries based on her studies and book: "The Eucharist and Social Justice". Sister Margaret also writes regularly for a variety of magazines including The Way, Manresa and Testimonio. She is now engaged in writing a book on the ecological dimensions of the Spiritual Exercises. She is also a noted as an international presenter, and a spiritual director and retreat facilitator at the London Jesuit Centre. She was also a guest retreat giver at St, Bueno’s, Jesuit Retreat Center in Wales, UK.    

Joe Schad, SJ, is originally from South Philadelphia.  He attended St. Joe's Prep, where he first encountered the Jesuits. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), with a BFA in the graphic arts program. Afterwards, Fr. Joe spent most of a year discerning his vocation at a Trappist monastery in North Carolina. Following two years with Peace Corps, he worked in JVC as a crisis counselor. He entered the Society of Jesus 44 years ago and has just celebrated 33 years as a Jesuit priest. His formation studies were at Gonzaga and the Jesuit School of Theology (JSTB) in Berkeley, where he focused on Rahner and Narrative Theology. After ordination, Fr. Joe was assigned to Fairfield University, where he taught media studies and later joined the Campus Ministry team. He completed his Tertianship in Australia, as a prelude to Final Vows. He then was named Pastor at St. Leonhard Parish in Frankfurt, Germany. On his return, he received certification as a spiritual director from the Center of Religious Development (CRD) in Cambridge and was missioned to the Holy Spirit Retreat Center, in Anchorage, AK. In  preparation for assignment as a chaplain, Fr. Joe completed his clinical practice training at Loyola University Medical Center. For over 16 years, initially at Mercy Hospital in Portland, then later at Georgetown University and St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT., he offered pastoral presence and support to patients and their families. Throughout these years, Fr. Joe has provided individual spiritual direction, as well as, facilitating retreats and days of reflection, focusing on Ignatian Spirituality and Centering Prayer. He has studied Zen Buddhism, as well as, other world religions. His personal interests include collecting rare illustrated books and prints, traditional music and travel.

Sister Carmen Cabrejos is a Handmaid of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Born in Peru, she has lived in the United States since 1986, in Miami, Athens and Atlanta GA, Philadelphia, and is coming back to Haverford.  She has worked in Hispanic ministry, adult faith formation, work with the homeless and Spiritual Direction. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Villanova University and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College. She was trained in spiritual direction at Mercy Center in Colorado and Thomas University in Miami.  She is experienced in giving spiritual direction in both English and Spanish and done some superstition for persons training to be spiritual companions or Spiritual Direction.  She is very happy to offer her services at St. Raphaela Center. Sr. Carmen can provide direction in English and Spanish.