Some of our program and retreat presenters include:

 

Fr. Tom Travers, C.Ss.R.

Fr. Tom is Rector and CEO of Mount St. Alphonsus. He received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees at the Mount, and is certified in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and the Intensive Journal Program. He also offers spiritual guidance in both English and Spanish.  Fr. Tom came here in 2002 after spending most of his priesthood in the Dominican Republic and in Puerto Rico. There he worked in rural parishes, city parishes, a retreat house and a formation center and was also regional superior for 9 years. In the Dominican Republic he was instrumental in founding a center for the formation of rural leaders (Centro Padre Julio).  In Puerto Rico, with a group of laity he began a center in San Juan to provide spiritual and psychological help (Casa San Clemente) and in the parish of San Agustin in Puerta de Tierra, he began another center, down in the "barrio" to establish a church presence there and to help in the community to deal with some of their social and religious challenges (Centro Dando la Mano). He believes very much in helping people help themselves and in the empowerment of the laity in the church.  To send an email, please visit the Contact Us page.

 

Fr. Thomas “Martin” Deely, C.Ss.R.

Fr. Thomas “Martin” Deely, (known as Padre Martín in  his Hispanic Ministry ) did his theological studies right here at Mt. St. Alphonsus and was awarded  Masters of Divinity for those six years of post graduate studies in 1966.  He served for 32 years in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico from 1967 till 1998. During that time he was stationed in rural parishes, worked as an Associate Director of Formation for Seminarians for 10 years, formed part of an itinerant Mission Preaching Team for 4 years.  Besides his native English Fr. Deely can speak both Spanish and Portuguese.  He has worked in educational radio and written scripts for some religious TV programs.  Fr. Deely has written music in both English and Spanish and learned to sing the ballads typical in the rural areas of both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.  His one published book “La Ovejita Comelona” (The Hungry Lamb) was a Children’s story on the Eucharist that is still remembered and used in the Dominican Republic.Fr. Deely has spent the last ten years working as Associate Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx.  Besides his work here on the Retreat Team, Fr. Deely would like to help Hispanic Catholics connect with God and the Church here in Ulster County. To send an email, please visit the Contact Us page.

 

Pauline Fournier, D.Min.

Pauline is the Director of Retreat Development and Programming, and is a member of the Retreat Team. She has been at the Mount for 12 years, and  has 35 years of experience in planning and directing workshops and classes in the area of spirituality.  She has helped train lay and religious for pastoral ministry.  Pauline has coordinated and directed renewal programs for priests and religious in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.  She has a Masters Degree in Historical Theology from St. Louis University in Missouri, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Catholic University in Washington, DC.. To send an email, please visit the Contact Us page.

 

Michael Sweeney

Mike is Executive Director-Retreats & Events at the Mount, overseeing many of the departments of the Mount. He has worked on public relations campaigns for several organizations since 1999. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree and is a member of the Archdiocese of New York Music Commission. He and the Mount choirs bring us the Advent and Lenten Music Festivals, Taize’ Prayer and other musical programs.  Mike is also the director of the choir of St. Joseph’s Church in Kingston, NY, and the founder and director of the Ulster Vicariate Choir.  That choir was invited to sing at the Archdiocese of New York’s Bicentennial Concert Gala at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in January 2008, where Mike was a guest conductor.  During the Holy Father’s visit to the United States in April 2008, Mike was an Assistant Director of Music for the Papal Liturgy held at Yankee Stadium.  His choir has performed at Lincoln Center and at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York, and was invited to Rome, Italy in the summer of 2009. Mike has been working in Church music for more than 20 years.  He has been at the Mount for over 10 years, giving programs and retreats and leading in public relations efforts. Mike is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Guild of Organists, and is an Emergency Medical Technician.  In 2009, Mike was elected to the Ulster County Legislature, serving a two year term.  To send an email, please visit the Contact Us page.

 

Br. Don Bisson, FMS

Bro. Donald Bisson is a Marist Brother of the schools, living at Marist Retreat Center in Esopus, New York. He has been on the leadership team of his community since 2000. He taught in Marist owned and sponsored schools for twenty years, teaching religion and doing counseling for youth, especially in the inner city ministry. He has served as novice director on two separate occasions for the American Provinces. He has participated in renewal teams for the brothers in Italy, France, Scotland, Japan, Kenya and Australia.  Bro. Donald's education includes a Master's Degree in Liturgy from the University of Notre Dame, a Master’s Degree in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University, a Master’s Degree in Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, a post graduate Certificate in Spirituality from the University of San Francisco and a Doctor of Ministry from the Pacific School of Religion, in the area of Spiritual Direction and Jungian psychology.  Over the last twelve years, Bro. Donald participated in the formation of Spiritual Directors and supervisors in New York, California and all over the country. He does workshops in the dialogue between spirituality and psychology. He has over 30 workshops on CDs that are now available through YesNow recordings, as found on his web site donbisson.org.

 

Br. Michael Laratonda, FMS

Bro. Michael Laratonda is a Marist Brother who has been in retreat work, spiritual direction, and renewal/sabbatical ministry for the past 20 years.  He presently is the Director of “Wellsprings Outreach”, located in Queensbury, NY.  He is a Marist brother.  He has done chaplaincy work in hospital and long-term facilities with elders.  He is a retreat director, spiritual director and workshop facilitator in the areas of psycho-spiritual development, prayer, journaling and dreams. 

 

Joanne Bernardo

Joanne Bernardo has been facilitating retreats at MSA since 1991.  She is a graduate of the Spiritual Direction Program of the Archdiocese of New York (2000) and holds a Masters of Professional Studies in Humanistic/Multicultural Education.  In addition, Joanne creates and implements, or hosts programs at her own center, Desert Spring.  Happily married for many years, Joanne and her husband have two grown children.  Joanne works for a SUNY college as an Office Manager.  At her church, she and the music director have started an annual Taize Advent music and readings evening program.  This will be the third year, and it is now interdenominational.  Directing retreats and facilitating programs is one of the greatest joys in her life.  She finds it deeply satisfying to accompany people on their personal journeys, and see it as a privilege to see God working so powerfully in our lives. 

 

Nancy George

Nancy George is a retreat facilitator and offers spiritual direction. She graduated from the Spiritual Direction Program of the Archdiocese of New York in 2002. She also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, a Masters of Science Degree, and a School District Administration (SDA) Certification. Nancy has over 34 years experience in teaching and educational administration. She is committed to helping others in their spiritual journey and has been wonderfully graced to witness the power of God’s love in all who visit Mount Saint Alphonsus.  She is a proud mother of two adult children, and resides in Grahamsville, New York.

 

 

 

Mount Saint Alphonsus

PO Box 219 / 1001 Broadway

Esopus, NY 12429

 

Phone (845) 384-8000      Fax (845) 384-8088

 

Copyright  © 2010.  All rights reserved.