Mary-Paula Cancienne is a theologian who specializes in questions of purpose during challenging and complex times, working to discover meaningful ethical options for how we go forward. She teaches, writes, and speaks on contemporary theology and spirituality that engages religious and secular worldviews. She is particularly involved in formative processes for those drawn to a more merciful society that embraces social fairness and responsibility, personally and collectively. She is a spiritual companion and supervisor, and she “writes” contemporary religious images.
Colleen O’Toole holds a master’s degree in theology from the Institute for Black Catholic Studies. In her thesis, she chronicled the life and experiences of Sister Cora Marie Billings and her pioneering role as the first African American Sister of Mercy.
Doris Gottemoeller served as the first president of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Other ministry experiences included service on numerous health care, higher education, seminary, retreat center and social service boards. She was the president of the LCWR, a delegate to the International Union of Superiors General, and an auditor at the Synod on Consecrated Life. She has lectured throughout the United States and abroad on topics of ministry, ecclesiology, and religious life. She holds an MS in chemistry from the University of Notre Dame and an MA and PhD in theology from Fordham University.
Sharon Kerrigan holds a PhD from the Graduate Theological Foundation, a DMin from Chicago Theological Seminary and an MA from Loyola, Northeastern and Kansas State Universities. She has been an adjunct professor of social science and religious studies at St. Xavier University and Moraine Valley College as well as an administrator in college and university settings. Sister Sharon served for several years as the Vice President of Mission for Provena Senior Services as well as the System Director of Mission and Spirituality for Presence Health. She currently serves as a Sister Life Minister for the sisters living at Mercy Circle, a retirement center in Chicago. She continues to serve on the Board of Directors for Mercy Hospital of Cedar Rapids and on the Editorial Board of The MAST Journal.
Aline Paris most recently was Professor of Theology at College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, where she was awarded the Inspiring Excellence Award. She holds an MA in Theology/Scripture, from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont; and both an MTS and a DMin in Word and Worship from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Her previous ministries included serving as an elementary school principal, a Director of Religious Education, and a junior high school teacher. She served as spiritual director for several Cursillos. She served three terms as Executive Director of MAST and remains a member of the Editorial Board of The MAST Journal.
Julia Upton is the editor of The MAST Journal. Provost Emerita and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at St John’s University in New York where she has taught since 1979. She holds a PhD in Theology from Fordham University. She has served as a member of the Liturgical Commission of the Diocese of Brooklyn since 1978 and served two terms (1978–1981 and 2007–2010) as an advisor to the United States National Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Divine Worship. Her most recent book, Worship in Spirit and Truth: The Life and Legacy of H. A. Reinhold, was published by Liturgical Press in 2009.
Maryanne Stevens holds a PhD in Religion and Education from Boston College and a Masters in Spirituality from St. Louis University. She recently retired after 27 years as President of College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska. She now volunteers with “Omaha Welcomes the Stranger,” a not-for-profit organization helping new immigrant families find their way in the United States. She serves on the social ministry committee of Mercy Investment Services and the boards of St. Xavier University in Chicago and Mercy High School in Omaha.
Patricia Talone is a Sister of Mercy of the Americas. A theological ethicist, she is a consultant, lecturer and writer in the areas of mission, ethics and formation. She has served at the Catholic Health Association of the United States and has a broad educational background having taught at every level from grade three through post-graduate. She holds a PhD in theological ethics from Marquette University, an MA in Religious Studies from St. Charles Seminary, and a BA in Humanities from Gwynedd-Mercy College. In 1996, she spent a semester as a visiting fellow at Georgetown University’s Kennedy School of Ethics. She has a number of board commitments and has published extensively in theological and health care journals and periodicals.
Avis Clendenen, a Mercy Associate, holds a PhD and a DMin degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. She is professor emerita of religious studies at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois, and a trustee of the University. Currently, she serves as coordinator for liturgy and spiritual enrichment services at Mercy Circle, a continuing care retirement community sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in Chicago. She is the author, co-author and editor of five books and a number of articles on the intersection of depth psychology with spiritual life and growth in the legacies of Hildegard of Bingen, Ignatius of Loyola, Carl Jung, and Catherine McAuley. She continues to offer retreats and days of reflection on these topics.