Our Staff and Retreat Team Members

Retreat Team

Sister Ann Rodgers, CP, Retreat Program Director, is a Sister of the Cross and Passion. Sr. Ann is a full time staff member in the Ministry of Spirituality as a member of the retreat team at OLC, and a spiritual director. She spent many years teaching at all levels and in parish religious education programs. She holds a Master's degree in Theological Studies.

Sister Mary O'Brien, CP, a Sister of the cross and Passion, is a part time staff member in the Ministry of Spirituality as member of the retreat team at OLC. Sister Mary holds a Master's degree in English and Library Science and a certification in spiritual Counseling. Before coming to the retreat house, she served for 12 years in England as a member of the leadership team of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion. Previously, she worked as a college librarian and English teacher.

Sister Pauline Semkow, RSM, is a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Connecticut region. She is a full time staff member in the Ministry of Spirituality as a member of the retreat team at OLC and she is a spiritual director as well. Sister Pauline has worked as a pastoral associate and as an educator, and has extensive experience in retreat ministry and spiritual direction. She holds a Master's degree in Math Education and Applied Theology.

Maria Decsy has a Master’s Degree in Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry from St. Joseph College, a certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Archdiocesan Spiritual Life Center, and a PhD in Biochemistry from New York University.She is co-founder and instructor in the Sacred Heart University/REAPS Spiritual Director Formation Program and teaches at all three of the program’s sites.

Marie DiBenedetto is a member of the weekend retreat team at OLC. She is currently the Clinical Manager at the Wound Care Center at Bradley Memorial Hospital. Marie is a spiritual director and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

Hanna Grymek is a member of the weekend retreat team at OLC. Hanna works at New Britain High School where she is a Polish translator. She attended University in Cracow, Poland and received her paralegal degree in Massachusetts. She is a wife and mother of three boys.

Beverly Montana is a member of the weekend retreat team at OLC. Bev is the Youth Ministry Director at her parish in Southington. She holds a certificate from the School of Spirituality at Mercy Center. She is a widow, mother and grandmother.