info@MorningStarRenewal.org
(305) 238-4367

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

Melissa Tablada is a licensed marriage and family therapist, Creighton fertility care practitioner intern and SoulCore leader. She lives in Miami with her husband AJ of 2 1/2 years. Melissa serves women, couples, and families to help them become healthier in mind body and spirit. SoulCore is a beautiful practice of praying the rosary, meditating on scripture and exercising while doing so. Together let’s grow and become the best version of ourselves!

Mayra Hall has been a spiritual director since 1998, studying at Creighton University, St. Thomas University, and Mercy Center (Burlingame) Since then, she continued her studies in pastoral ministry, various bodywork modalities, and creative expression. She offers spiritual direction in person and online. Mayra is also certified as Facilitator in SoulCollageⓇ and Expressive Writing for Health, and offers workshops in both. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband.

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.

Lynne Brown has been involved in ministry for over 30 years, mostly in the Archdiocese of Miami, with a 5 year stint in upstate NY, where she served on the Bishop's Council of Women to the Church in the Diocese of Syracuse. Lynne graduated from the Spiritual Companionship Program at St. Thomas University in Miami with Practicuum in Spiritual Direction in 2012.

Katie has over 30 years’ experience serving and leading churches. She also has directed the social emotional learning program at an area school. She offers seminars in hospital and retreat settings (including MorningStar) on a variety of life issues.

Ligia M. Houben MA, FT, FAAGC, CPC, CHT, is the founder of My Meaningful Life, LLC and executive director of The Center for Transforming Lives in Miami, FL. Ligia is a whole-hearted speaker in the field of grief & loss and life transitions. She is a Fellow in Thanatology: Death, Dying, and Bereavement and a Fellow of the American Academy of Grief Counseling. She holds a BA in Psychology and Religious Studies from the University of Miami, MA in Religious Studies and a Graduate Certificates in Multidisciplinary Gerontology from Florida International University and in Loss and Healing from St. Thomas University.

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.