Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders

Many Wheaton Franciscan vowed and covenant members offer spiritual direction, directed retreats, and workshops.  Contact them directly for more information or call 630-909-6805 for assistance.

Spiritual direction is a way for one person to companion another on their spiritual journey toward growth and wholeness.  Sessions can include sharing of life experiences, time of prayer or listening for the Creator, and guidance in observing God at work in your life.

Spiritual Directors
Fr. Tom Borkowski
Rosemarie Burian, OSF
Dawn Capilupo, OSF (SE Wisconsin)
Alice K. Carroll
Alice Drewek, OSF
Pat Irr, OSF
Ann Kuhn
Charlotte Loizzi
Mary Ellen McAleese OSF
Melanie Paradis, OSF (SE Wisconsin)
Diane Przyborowski, OSF
Ellen Sheaffer
Veronica Ward

Retreat, Workshop, and Days of Reflection Leaders
Fr. Tom Borkowski
Rosemarie Burian, OSF
Dawn Capilupo, OSF (SE Wisconsin)
Jeanne Connolly, Ed.D.
Glenna M. Czachor, OSF
Pat Irr, OSF
Ann Kuhn
Mary Ellen McAleese, OSF
Melanie Paradis, OSF (SE Wisconsin)
Diane Przyborowski, OSF
Ellen Sheaffer
Veronica Ward
Georgene L. Wilson, OSF

Spiritual Directors, Retreat and Workshop Leaders

Fr. Tom Borkowski is the Chaplain and Director of Faith Development and Liturgy of the Wheaton Franciscans. He holds a Master of Special Education and a Master of Divinity and is a certified spiritual director and retreat director.
  Contact: 630-909-6644 or tborkowski@wheatonfranciscan.org

Rosemarie Burian, OSF, D. Min., is a Wheaton Franciscan Sister, healing touch practitioner, and spiritual director.  Sr. Rosemarie is a certified hospital chaplain, certified Healing Touch practitioner, and has conducted research and training in body-mind-spirit integration.
  Contact: 630-862-5115

Dawn Capilupo, OSF, is a Wheaton Franciscan Sister located in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, offering spiritual direction for individuals or groups, and retreats and workshops. Sr. Dawn has a Master of Franciscan Studies and Spirituality from St. Bonaventure University in New York and a spiritual direction and leadership certificate from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, D.C.
  Contact: 414-332-3557

Alice K. Carroll is a member of the animator team for the Wheaton Franciscan resident Sisters, and certified in spiritual direction. Alice has experience in clinical pastoral education, women’s leadership programs, and feminist spirituality studies.
  Contact: 630-909-6805 and leave a message for Alice

Jeanne Connolly, Ed.D., is a Wheaton Franciscan Covenant Member and Director of Covenant Membership for the Wheaton Franciscans.
  Contact: 630-909-6638

Glenna M. Czachor, OSF, is a Wheaton Franciscan Sister and Director of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office for the Wheaton Franciscans.  She has a Master of Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union. Sr. Glenna has more than 20 years of experience planning liturgy and prayer, and offering presentations and retreats for small groups, parishes, and the RCIA. She offers informative and experiential programs on prayer and spirituality as well as prayer and liturgy planning and consulting.
  Contact: 630-909-6636 or gczachor@wheatonfranciscan.org

Alice Drewek, OSF, is a Wheaton Franciscan Sister offering individual spiritual direction. She has a Master of Business Administration and a spiritual direction certificate from the Claret Center.
  Contact: 630-791-9183

Pat Irr, OSF, is a Wheaton Franciscan Sister, teacher, and spiritual director offering spiritual deepening and seminars on Franciscan spirituality and other areas of spirituality. Sr. Pat holds a Master of Sacred Science from St. Bonaventure University and an Master of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University.
  Contact: 630-456-4459

Ann Kuhn is a Wheaton Franciscan Covenant Member offering spiritual direction and retreat direction. Ann is the owner of Oasis Place, a day and overnight place for retreats in the far west suburbs of Chicago that includes an outdoor labyrinth.
  Contact: 630-552-8201

Charlotte Loizzi is a Wheaton Franciscan Covenant Member offering individual spiritual direction. She has 20 years of experience in nursing and parish ministry and has a spiritual direction certificate from the Institute for Spiritual Leadership.
  Contact: 630-324-6980

Mary Ellen McAleese, OSF, is a Wheaton Franciscan Sister who designs and guides retreats and workshops in holistic spirituality and accompanies others on their spiritual journey.  She has ministered in leadership and ongoing formation for her community and as a liturgist in many settings.
  Contact: 630-690-7964 or memcaleese@att.net (subject line: retreat)

Melanie Paradis, OSF, is a Wheaton Franciscan Sister offering spiritual direction for individuals or groups, and retreats, workshops and days of reflection.  She has a Master of Education degree from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and certificates in spiritual direction and retreat direction from the Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin.  Sr. Melanie offers the complementary therapies of Energy Medicine and Training in Healing and Transformation as part of the spiritual direction process and is certified in Training in Healing and Transformation by Capacitar, Inc.
  Contact: 262-797-2513 or mparadis@yahoo.com

Diane Przyborowski, OSF, is a Wheaton Franciscan Sister with a Master in Pastoral Counseling. Sr. Diane has more than 30 years of experience in spiritual companioning, pastoral counseling, retreat and workshop facilitating, living and guiding others in contemplative practice., and presentations in the areas of holistic spirituality and Franciscan spirituality.
  Contact:  630-393-7046 or diprzy@sbcglobal.net

Ellen Sheaffer is a Wheaton Franciscan Covenant Member, spiritual director, group retreat leader, and Veriditas certified labyrinth facilitator. She holds a Master of Counseling Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology.  Ellen has worked for 25 years in social service agencies focused on women and children. Her areas of special interest are women’s issues, burn-out, cancer, and facilitating one’s journey back to self.
  Contact: 630-992-0313

Veronica Ward is a Wheaton Franciscan Covenant Member located in the Kansas City, Missouri area where she is available for spiritual direction and days of prayer and reflection. She is a Pastoral Associate, has a Master of Theology, and certification in spiritual direction.
  Contact: 816-761-5483

Georgene L. Wilson, OSF, D. Min., is a Wheaton Franciscan Sister, teacher, preacher, artist and poet. She is the poetry editor of Interreligious Insight and on the faculty of Common Ground in Deerfield, Illinois. Sr. Georgene is experienced in spiritual formation and retreats with adults and spiritual direction. She is available for directed, guided or preached retreats for individuals or groups, trans-traditional spiritual teaching and workshops, and conference facilitation.
  Contact: 630-690-1249