Sister Claire, a Sister of Mercy of the Regional Community of Vermont, is a graduate of Trinity College of Vermont and holds a Master’s Degree in Sacred Scripture and Theology from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana. She has also experienced post graduate studies at the University of Vermont, Iona College of New Rochelle, N.Y. and St. Michael’s College in Colchester,VT.

Sister Claire has served her Regional Community as Director of Novices and Coordinator of Initial and On-going Spiritual Formation as well as in Regional Administration. Currently, she serves as the Administrative Coordinator of the Institute for Spiritual Development as well as a spiritual and retreat director in the ministry.

Her interests and hobbies include being in nature through gardening, fishing and grounds work and enjoying music, singing and reading.

Sister Ann Duhaime is a member of the Sisters of Mercy and on staff at the Institute for Spiritual Development in Burlington, where she is involved in retreat ministry and spiritual direction. She comes with recent experience as a Hospice Chaplain in the Boston area, as well as a background of Hospital Chaplain some years ago in the Midwest. She has a special interest in the wholistic approach to healing and worked in the Midwest for 13 years at a wholistic center for renewal for Sisters from around the world.

Me & Puffy Lil Critter

Michele has served as the Administrative Assistant at the Institute for Spiritual Development since January 2003. She has worked in a variety of Administrative positions in the past, and is a graduate of Community College of Vermont with Associate Degrees in Art and in Liberal Arts. Michele comes to us with a passion for Spirituality, Mysticism, and Theology.

She loves spending time by the lake, is the mother of four, memere of four, and best buddy to her guinea pig, Puffy Lil Critter. Our Burlington Office is home to some of her artwork and poems.

A Mercy Associate who took Catherine McAuley's (Founder of the Sisters of Mercy) last words to heart "Give them a comfortable cup of tea", and lives that mission of mercy every day; Jo's is the wonderful, warm, inviting smile and hospitable greeting as you enter Lumen Christi. This is sacred ground, and she is our angel! Jo is the master chef that retreatants clamour for! Her delectible down-home cooking prepard with love, gratitude, and joy of the culinary arts (not to mention years of experience) has often been touted as the best part of Lumen Christi. Indeed, from the beautiful flower garden outside the chapel windows, to the bird song that brightens each morning, a gift from the chirping visitors to the well stocked feeder, Jo's many domestic gifts of the Spirit have blessed hundreds with a cherished home away from home.