October 25-30, 2026

5-Night Retreat $625

Elizabeth "E"
Broyles, CMA

Joannie
Cassidy, SSJ

Ann
Duhaime, RSM

Judy
Pluta

Shane
Phelan, CMA

Linda
Robinson

Elizabeth "E" Broyles, CMA

 Sister Elizabeth or “E” as she is sometimes called, is a founding member of the Companions of Mary the Apostle, an ecumenical monastic community in West Park, New York. She is an Episcopal priest, ordained in 1994. E has been a spiritual director for 20 years, and loves accompanying others as they share their journeys with God. E deepened her practice of spiritual direction with the Haden Institute in North Carolina and received a certificate in 2011, as well as other studies in direction and Christian spirituality. E has served several parishes in New York and was priest in residence at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, N.Y. for five years. Her spiritual life is fed by prayer and the sacraments as part of her community; dwelling in the scriptures and sacred writings of other religions; poetry; and the glories of creation. She looks forward to meeting those with whom she will journey at Mercy by the Sea.  

Joannie Cassidy, SSJ


 Joannie Cassidy, a Sister of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia, is currently the Director of Retreats and Programs at the SSJ Center for Spirituality in Ocean Grove, NJ. Previously she was the Director of the CSJ Office of Spirituality, Brentwood, NY. Joannie considers companioning others in spiritual direction as well as facilitating retreats a gift and grace. Being awakened, attuned and attentive to the Divine movement within and deeply listening to God in the encounter, Joannie has accompanied others to go deeper. Finding God in all things: art, poetry, scripture, nature enables the retreatant to embrace the sacred moments and invitations of their lives. Her education includes a Masters Degree in Spirituality from Jesuit School, Seattle University and Spiritual Direction Certification/Formation from Mercy Center in Madison, CT.  

Ann Duhaime, RSM

Ann Duhaime, RSM is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas who resides in Burlington, Vt.  She ministers as a Spiritual Director and facilitates a Circle of Support at Mercy Connections.  She has offered Healing Touch for patients at the local Medical Center.  Her past ministries include Hospice  Chaplain in the Boston area and Chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Iowa.  She also served on staff at a Holistic Renewal Center for Sisters in Minnesota.  Her interests include photography, swimming, and being in God’s Creation especially by water that is renewing for her.  Background education includes a MDiv degree and Spiritual Direction training at Mercy Center in Burlingame, Ca. and the Center of for Religious Development, Cambridge, Ma.

  

Judy Pluta

 Judy Pluta, B.A. Boston College, M.A. New York University, is an experienced spiritual director, supervisor, and trainer of both spiritual directors and spiritual direction supervisors at the Spiritual Life Center in West Hartford, CT. Her ministry positions have included pastoral minister, retreat leader, theology teacher, and presenter of workshops in Dream work and Ignatian Prayer. Judy considers it a privilege to accompany others on their journey of faith, noticing, naming and affirming the Spirit’s presence in life’s challenges and invitations for growth. She lives with her husband of 40 years in Simsbury, CT and enjoys swimming, gardening, and contemplative walks in the woods.  

Shane Phelan, CMA

 Sister Shane is co-founder of the Companions of Mary the Apostle, an ecumenical monastic community for people of all genders and an Episcopal priest living in West Park NY. She trained in spirituality and direction with Interweave in New Jersey and the Spiritual Growth Center at Wernersville, PA. Shane has been doing retreat work and providing spiritual direction for 12 years. Also has several decades of 12-Step experience, and is happy to work with people on the journey of recovery.  

Linda Robinson

 Linda draws from a wide breadth of human experience in her Spiritual Direction ministry, having served for over two decades as a retreat director, spiritual director formator, mother, grandmother, former religious educator and nurse. Following the path of Ignatius, she believes that “we are all pilgrims on a journey” and embraces the understanding that “everything in life has the potential of calling forth in us a more loving response to our life forever with our God.”