About Us
The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother are an international religious community of women bonded together by the Franciscan values of peacemaking, hospitality and reverence for all creation.
The Franciscan Institute uses a holistic, psycho-spiritual method to address the needs of the whole person (body, mind and spirit). It endeavors to work closely with the church and other organizations to facilitate personal and family development.
The staff at the Franciscan Institute offer cost-effective, collaborative, on-site or off-site programmes in the form of workshops, seminars, retreats, sabbaticals and teachings which are tailored to suit the needs of individuals, couples, families, schools, parishes and other organizations. Professional training, counselling services and spiritual direction are also offered.
Each programme is designed specifically for a specific audience: parents, men, women, teens, children, educators, professionals and/or staff, with the goal of facilitating growth and healing to promote a culture of peace.
Sr Julie Marie Peters, Director of the Franciscan Institute
Sr Julie holds a M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Wisconsin. Sister has taught Counselling Psychology, Psychology For Ministry, Human Development and Pastoral Counselling Skills for the past sixteen years at the Regional Seminary of St John Vianney. She is an Authorized Trainer of Common Sense Parent Trainers out of Boystown, Nebraska, USA, and has trained over hundred Parent Trainers. Sister is also a certified Trauma Therapist and is currently studying to be certified in Neurofeedback. She has conducted workshops, training seminars, and facilitated courses throughout the Caribbean, Guyana and North America on psycho-spiritual topics. Her special areas of interest are family, psycho-spiritual development, trauma work, teaching and facilitating peace making processes, and alternative wholistic healing. Visit Sr. Julie's Blog
Sr Delia Marie Monrose
Ministerial Experience:
Ministry as a teacher: Saltibus R.C. Combined School in St. Lucia, St. Catherine Primary and St. Catherine Preparatory School in Spanish Town, Jamaica, St. Dominic’s Convent School, Trinidad & Tobago; Teacher and Vice Principal at St. Rose Modern Secondary School, Grenada. In Grenada I also ministered as Assistant Diocesan Youth Coordinator and Acting Diocesan Youth Coordinator. I am also involved in conducting vocation and youth retreats and Parish Lenten Mission/Retreat. Presently I minister as Novice Director in Trinidad & Tobago.
Education:
- Certificate in Teacher Education, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, St. Lucia
- Bachelor’s in Educational Administration, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill
- Diploma in Religious Studies, Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney and the Martyrs of Uganda.
- Institute of Religious Formation, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.
- Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Theology, majoring in Spirituality at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
Learn more about the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother here
Sr Angella Maria Samuel, Administrator
A Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, who lives and ministers in St. Lucia. She worked in the Health Care Ministry for many years as an Accountant, Purchasing Director and Assistant Administrator. Sister is presently the Administrator of the Franciscan Institute and holds a M.S. in Pastoral Counselling from Boston College, Massachusetts ,USA.
Sr Cecile St. Remy
Sr Cecile holds a BA in theology from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad, and an MA in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Sr Cecile is a certified Spiritual Director and is certified in giving Directed Retreats. She is an accredited Joy through Movement Director.
Sr Christine Henry SSM ,RN,CNM BScNursing Ed. Reflexologist
Darah Harford
Darah holds a Bachelor's in Psychology and Theology from University of Miami (2004) and a Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University (2006), trained in solution focused systemic family therapy to see individuals, couples and families. Her work experience includes being a family therapist for a school in Ft Lauderdale specializing in treatment of children with severe emotional and behavioral problems. She also taught Kindergarten in London for two years and worked with children with social/emotional difficulties.Since 2009, she has been working in Trinidad seeing families at St. Dominic's, working with children at TallMan Foundation, group therapy at Eshe's, workshops and counselling with the Franciscan Institute and private practice.
Rev. Shelly-Ann Tenia, MSW
Shelley-Ann Tenia was born and raised in South Trinidad. She completed a BSc in Psychology with a Minor concentration in Human Services Counselling at Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Virginia) and a Master of Divinity (Virginia Theological Seminary). She is an Anglican priest and currently serves as the Assistant Curate at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Newtown Port of Spain. Shelley-Ann has worked as a House Manager at The Dwelling Place, a Homeless Family Shelter, as a Social Worker at Credo Centre for Boys, and has volunteered with various NGO’s and FBO’s which do outreach to vulnerable communities and families.Shelley-Ann has participated in the work of The Institute for the past five (5) years.
Meet Our Staff:
Congregation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
Third Order Regular of Saint Francis of Assisi
Franciscan Institute for Personal & Family Development
Palmiste, Vieux Fort, St. Lucia - Phone 758-454-3157 - Fax 758-454-3158
RC Church Compound, Main Road, Chaguanas, Trinidad, W.I. - Phone: (868) 671-8321 - Fax: (868) 734-7620
© Copyright 2011 Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother.
