Spiritual Directors at Loretto Maryholme

Yvonne Prowse
Director of Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre, Yvonne made spiritual direction her full-time ministry in 2008. Since then she has accompanied diverse people from across the globe on their spiritual journeys, through retreats, workshops and individual spiritual direction. She has also trained and supervised spiritual directors from nearly every continent as the chair of training programs at Loyola House, Guelph. Yvonne’s ministry of holy listening was manifest earlier when serving people in poverty who longed to share their stories. Even earlier, as a child, she would listen to the Divine in the hush of a winter morning after a fresh snow; in the grace of a red-tailed hawk in flight; in the wind in a tree; in the mystery of the starry night sky. Yvonne holds an M.A. in spirituality and spiritual direction from Fordham University. Studies in indigenous spiritualities with elders from North America and Burkina Faso have also fostered her relationship with the Divine. Nature writing, poetry, many mystics–age-old and contemporary, sacred scripture, strong ritual, ecological and feminist spiritualities, hiking in mountains, cross-country skiing, walking in forests or along the seashore, are among the sources that continue to nurture her. Yvonne has published articles on spiritual direction and eco-spirituality in North America, England and Germany. Her co-authored book, Nurturing Ecological Conversion: a Group Retreat Based on the Wisdom of Laudato Si, is available for purchase at the Centre.

Jane McDonell cj
Founder and past Director of Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre, Jane has been accompanying individuals and groups on their spiritual journeys both in Canada and abroad in England, India, and Ireland since 1990. Jane facilitates retreats, workshops, assemblies, and group activities. Along with her experience of fifty + years as a woman religious, Jane is a graduate of the Shalem Program for Spiritual Directors with additional training at Regis College, Toronto and Loyola House, Guelph. With a background in education, social work, refugee housing, and congregational leadership she brings deep listening and discernment skills to the art of spiritual accompaniment. The interplay of Mary Ward/Ignatian, evolutionary, and feminist spiritualities sustain her. The Enneagram, labyrinth, art, poetry, music, and the outdoors are avenues of exploration and encounter with the Divine.

Sue Campbell
Sue is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada and a trained spiritual director in the Ignatian tradition who accompanies people in both retreats and ongoing direction. With a deep belief in God’s love for each of us, regardless of our background, tradition, culture, or orientation, she is privileged to listen deeply and reflect with you as you share your story, questions, struggles, and seek spiritual awareness. Her training is also informed by training as a pastoral counsellor, a life-long passion for choral music, playing the Celtic harp, daily movement, a commitment to reaching across religious divides, justice-seeking, reading, and writing. She has published a book called Spirit Refresh: Reflections to Comfort, Challenge and Deepen Your Relationship with God Through the Year. Over the years she has taught English to refugees, lived in two intentional communities, hosted international students, and made several pilgrimages.

Alana Forrester
Alana’s undergrad and graduate work in English Literature prepared her for a teaching career, nineteen years of which were spent in a French public school in Ottawa where she established the English Programme and engaged with students who hailed from Eastern Africa and the Middle East. As an Associate of the CND of Montreal, her relationship with students and staff was enriched by Visitation spirituality. After retirement Alana visited Kumbo in Cameroon on behalf of the OK (Ottawa-Kumbo) Clean Water Project, an initiative of the CND. Her training in spiritual direction began at the Centre for Spiritual Growth in Ottawa, continued with the Haden Institute at Mount Carmel, and was completed at the Ignatian Jesuit Centre in Guelph after she moved there. Over the years Alana served as a guest retreat director, and subsequently as a teacher and supervisor, at the Spiritual Directors’ Workshop in Guelph. For Alana spiritual direction is Visitation, rich in mystery and hospitality, as she holds people’s sacred stories. Delight in the family cottage on Georgian Bay and joy in her connection with her three daughters and lively granddaughter express her appreciation of her many blessings.

Mary Mallany cj
Mary trained as a spiritual director at Ottawa’s Centre for Spiritual Growth and began her practice at Galilee Retreat Centre in Arnprior, Ontario. In 2003, she joined the Loretto Maryholme team as the animator for creation spirituality. This position allowed her to develop many sacred spaces on the grounds as she listened to the land and its desire to offer interior refreshment for the Centre's guests. Mary’s background is in education, faith development in adults, parish social ministry and leadership. Ignatius finding God in all things and Mary Ward’s work to facilitate opportunities for spiritual freedom for women are her major inspirations. A skilled gardener, Mary has learned much about spirituality in the lessons of the garden and brings this experience to her spiritual direction practice. Her sense of wonder continues to grow.

Heidi Mathews
Saying yes to the invitation of the Spirit, Heidi completed her formation in Ignatian spiritual direction at Regis College (Toronto School of Theology, U of T), as well as a Certificate in Eco-Spirituality. For several years she directed on silent retreats at Loyola House, Guelph and was a presenter at its Spiritual Directors Workshop. Other influences on her practice of spiritual direction are the Enneagram, feminist theology and social justice. Heidi is blessed to live in the country where she daily expresses gratitude for the beauty of creation, enjoys walking and cross-country skiing, and sitting on the back porch with a good book. She is a wife, a mother of five adult children and grandmother to three.

Monique Simpson
Married for nine years and widowed young, Monique then turned to a more contemplative life. She joined a Poor Clare monastery in British Columbia. During 14 years as a monastic nun, she trained in spiritual direction in both the Ignatian and Franciscan traditions. When her monastery closed, Monique returned to her roots in Ontario. Though living “in the world” she continues a contemplative life, cultivate daily practices for inner peace that lead to grounded and loving action. She lives with her dog and a vital relationship with the local forest. Woven through it all is a sustaining, wonderful love for God.

Dianne Towns csj
Dianne's journey in contemplative listening began as a child sitting beside a forest creek. Enchanted by the music of songbirds, whispering leaves and dancing waters, her heart encountered the Divine. She is both privileged and humbled to accompany individuals as they share their sacred stories. To the ministry of holy listening Dianne brings a background in education, administration, natural health, and massage therapy. She has trained with The Centre for Spiritual Growth Ottawa, and Loyola House Guelph and finds inspiration in the life and legacy of Mary Ward and Ignatius Loyola. Dianne continues to learn through the offerings and diverse perspectives of Spiritual Directors International. Poetry, music, live theatre, a moment in the company of the tree outside her window, and tea with a friend all bring Joy to her soul. Among the varied faces of her personal graced humanity is the gift of 50 years as a religious woman in the Sisters of St. Joseph.

"Spiritual Directors... are not the chief agent, guide and mover of souls... the principal guide is the Holy Spirit..."
St. Ignatius

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