SISTER THERESE GONNEVILLE, OSB I have been a staff member of The Priory Spirituality Center and Pecos Benedictine Monastery, and served in two other retreat houses. This has given me a rich experience of being with men and women as they desire "to seek God." I journey with others with a listening heart, especially as they struggle with the pain of loss and grief, healing of past wounds of the Inner Child, and their desire to pray and come into greater inner freedom RECONCILED to God, other and themselves. In this we come to know the inner beauty, goodness and loveableness in ourselves and others. I received a Masters Degree in Pastoral Theology from Fort Wright College in Spokane, Washington, and a certificate from The School for Spiritual Directors from Pecos Benedictine Monastery in Pecos, New Mexico. I was also a staff member of two houses of prayer. You may contact me by or call me at 360-438-1771.

SISTER MARY GILES MAILHOT, OSB I have been a member of the Benedictine community at St. Placid Priory since 1966. Before receiving my certificate as a spiritual director in April of 1996, I gained experience being with people of all ages and of many cultures as a teacher (pre-school through adult education), parish ministry, and volunteer hospital and prison chaplain. I come from a multi-cultural, multi-faith family and have worked at the college level with students from other countries. I helped organize the Thurston County Interfaith Alliance and served on its executive board for the first two years. I have a Masters in Religious Studies, am a life-long student of Sacred Scripture, and have a great interest in women's studies and spirituality. The world of nature is also a scripture for me, revealing in wondrous ways the Source and Sustainer of all that exists. Throughout the years I have been a listener, pray-er and companion to people in their sorrows, joys and struggles. It is my greatest hope for directeeds that they find prayerful support as they discover the truth and grace of their own lives. You may call me at 360-438-1771.

SISTER LAURA SWAN, OSB I experience life as an integrated whole. Like a lovely Impressionist painting, a close examination of pieces and aspects may appear unrelated and disjointed, but standing back and gazing upon the canvas of life as a whole provides us with another perspective. I encourage seekers to live in a contemplative stance toward life, listening for the whispers and leading of the Holy Spirit, Breath of God. Life is a dance, and the Holy One yearns to lead; yet a leading that entices us to become ever more the person we were created to be. Learning to listen, truly and deeply listen, with Benedict's ear of the heart, is important. Often a personal crisis, an important life decision that needs to be made, addiction issues (and wondering 'where is God' in the midst of this very real struggle), and midlife issues initially bring people into my life as a spiritual director. I am comfortable sitting together with people who struggle with their place and call within institutional Church.

I have a background in the Charismatic Renewal, ecumenism, as a Benedictine Associate and Oblate. I made monastic profession in 1993, when I also began my retreat and spiritual direction ministry. I am a writer and published author, with a particular interest in Benedictine and women's spirituality. I have a Masters in Christian Ministry and Renewal, a Masters in Theological Studies, and a Post Master Certificate in Spiritual Direction. You may contact me by or call me at 360-438-2595.

SISTER LUCY WYNKOOP, OSB My direction with others flows from my Benedictine tradition, which emphasizes listening with the ear of the heart and seeking God in every facet of ordinary life. I have accompanied people of many ecumenical and faith traditions and diverse backgrounds. My background in formative work enables me to be attentive to tending others in their formative process. Integrating my own spiritulal and psychological work has made me especially aware of the deep interconnectedness of spirit and psyche. I am sensitive to integrative work in others. I am able to be present with those who have experienced abuse. My prayer style is contemplative. I am gifted at helping others find their own prayer style. Asking evocative questions is important to me. I have accompanied many pastors, especially new pastors. My two Masters Degrees are in Theoligy with concentrations in Scripture and Monastic Studies. Preparation for spiritual direction and supervision was through Mercy Center in Burlingame, California. You may contact me by or call me at 360-438-2595.

SISTER MAUREEN O'LAREY, OSB Since 1993, I have been a member of the community of St. Placid Priory. Prior to living at St. Placid, I was a Benedictine Associate and Oblate. As a Benedictine I strive to listen for and to see God's presence in all of life--in liturgies, in Scripture and other reading, in life's events and circumstances, in interactions and relationships with others, in creation, and in the depths of our hearts. As I have worked for many years in management in the high tech industry, I appreciate the challenge to live out one's faith in the context of our fast-paced society. I have Bachelors and Masters degrees in business Administration. My training and internship in spiritual direction were through Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry. I appreciate the diversity of God's creation and find it a privilege to journey with people of any faith tradition (or those without one) and with people of any background. You may contact me by or call me at 360-438-1771.

SISTER DOROTHY ROBINSON, OSB I entered St. Placid Priory in 1994, and I'm a certified Healing Touch practitioner as well as a spiritual director. My formation in spiritual direction was with "Listening with the Spirit" at the Priory Spirituality Center, and I graduated in 2000. I'm also formerly married with three grown sons and two granddaughters, so I have experience of family life as a wife, mother and grandmother. My view of incarnate life and spiritual life is that they cannot be separated with integrity, and so I try to listen for how God may be working in all parts of life rather than narrowing the focus only to what we usually think of as 'spiritual.' I am pleased to work with women and men--regardless of faith tradition, age or any of the other things that make us human...and therefore beloved of God. You may contact me via or call me at 360-438-1771. "Do not disdain your body for the soul is just as safe in its body as in the Kingdom of Heaven." --Mechtild of Magdeburg