Sue has been serving the South Florida faith community at MorningStar since our inception in 2004. Her passion is developing creative and engaging programs for people of all ages and at all stages of life and helping them find the ministries that they can serve other in too. She loves teaching, preaching, and facilitating retreats, but also can be found sitting one on one with guests for spiritual direction. Sue’s creative energy and love for the Lord is most evident in the variety of programs offered at MorningStar – both in person and online. To schedule a retreat, explore an idea for a program, or simply want someone to pray with…. Reach out to Sue. Sue@MorningStarRenewal.org

Stella Maria Kessler is a certified Enneagram facilitator from the Atlanta Center for Wellness, and a certified Spiritual Director from St Thomas University. Stella has assisted STU as an instructor for the 1st year Enneagram segment, and has supervised 3rd year students for their Spiritual Direction Course. At MorningStar she has lead the St Ignatius Spiritual Exercise Course, and presented a three part course entitled Transformation in Christ. She had lead an interactive 12 Step Spiritual Lab at a Rehab Center.

Ann Rose taught English and Humanities fulltime at Miami Dade College for
35 years, and then taught another 11 years at St. John Vianney College
Seminary after her retirement. She currently co-facilitates Year 2, the
Ignatian Retreat, in the Spiritual Companionship Program at MorningStar. A
member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Coral Gables, Florida, Ann has
given presentations and led retreats locally and in other areas of Florida
and North Carolina. She frequently combines her interest in the art and
writings of earlier Christian traditions with our present-day longing and
search for spiritual depth.

Yolma is a parishioner at St Louis Catholic Church. She is retired from a 50 year banking career and is a graduate of the St. Thomas University Spiritual Companionship program. In addition to enjoying family time and travel, Yolma is active in ministry as an eucharistic minister and as a spiritual companion.

A lifetime of leadership in ministry (50+ yrs) and an extraordinary gift for group facilitation, makes Dr. Joan Lyons
a delight to join for your summer Leadership & Ministry Book Club. Joan is a skilled educator, group facilitator, and overall inspired and inspiring person!
She holds both her Master degree and her Doctorate degree in Ministry. Reading In the Name of Jesus – Reflections on Christian Leadership and discussing it with Joan and others will be a highlight of your Summer reading!

Her mission is to use her energy and faith to serve 🙏, and companion people as they integrate their imperfections 🌺, learn to fully accept themselves as they are 🪷, and grow in self love 😘; And as they unfold into the best version of themselves 🦚, model for others the light 🕊🌈💥in the world 🌎they were intended to be.

Kathy Saunders is a devoted Catholic, currently living in the Kendall area of Miami, Fl. Kathy is a founding and active member of St. John Neumann Church. She has been married, to her husband Patrick, for forty-six years. They have two daughters and two granddaughters.
Kathy received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Dayton.
Kathy has been an educator for the Archdiocese of Miami for forty-three years. She has taught at Sacred Heart School in Homestead and St. John Neumann School. She is recently retired Health and Wellness professor as well as department chairperson for Health and Exercise Sciences at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Coral Gables, a position she has held for 28 years.
She received her Certification as a Spiritual Director in 2003 from St. Thomas University and has been a facilitator in the program for ten years with special focus on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Kathy has served as a Spiritual Director in Miami and as a CCD teacher, Special Minister of the Holy Eucharist, as a team member on the Women’s Emmaus Team and leader of various Days of Reflections throughout the Archdiocese of Miami.
A life rooted in prayer and the sacraments, a discerning and active listener, an affirming speaker, and a deep love of the Lord makes Kathy a gifted retreat/reflection leader and prayer facilitator. Kathy instinctively works well with both men and women and large and small groups.