Staff

Sister Kathleen Murphy, OSF was appointed Director of St. Columban Center by Bishop Edward Kmiec on February 17, 2006. Prior to that appointment she served the center as an associate director for a period of three and one/half months. Most of Sister Kathleen’s ministerial experience has been in the field of Catholic education. She has served in three dioceses in New York State: Buffalo, Rochester, and Ogdensburg. Her experiences in Buffalo included those of a teacher, a principal and an associate superintendent. In Rochester, she served as an assistant superintendent, and in Ogdensburg, she served as Superintendent of Schools. Sister Kathleen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Education degree from Mt. St. Joseph’s College. She has done postgraduate work at State University College at Plattsburg, Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and Niagara University in Lewiston, New York. Sister Kathleen Murphy holds a New York State certificate in supervision and administration. In her current position, Sister Kathleen has responsibility for the overall administration of St. Columban Center as well as that of program director, and in that capacity she is responsible for day to day programming as well as new initiatives.

Sister M. Joselle Orlando OSF is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis. Sister joined the St. Columban Center in the Fall of 2007 and will work in the music ministry of the Center as well as give retreats, days of prayer and reflection. Over the last twenty years, Sister has presented retreats using the creative arts with prayer for retreatants during the summer when not engaged in education ministry. This ministry had included 22 years at the secondary level and 24 years at the elementary level in the Syracuse and Camden Dioceses. As educator, artist, vocalist, and liturgical choreographer, Sister Joselle holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Art Education from Syracuse University and a Master of Art in Religious Studies from St. Charles Seminary, Philadelphia, PA.

SM Elizabeth Mackowiak, CSSF, OSF, Associate Director

SM Elizabeth Mackowiak is a Felician Franciscan. She taught children in elementary schools in and around Buffalo, NY before volunteering to serve in the Felician Sisters' Province in Brazil, SA. Her ministries in Brazil included religious education, retreat ministry and working with adolescent girls from the favelas (slums). Sister Elizabeth attended the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University and earned a Master's degree in Franciscan Spirituality. She also earned a certificate in spiritual direction and Franciscan Directed Retreats from the Franciscan Internship Program in Canada. Sister Elizabeth joined the staff at St. Columban Center in September 2006 as an associate director.

Phyllis begins her 31^st year at the Center. She is responsible for management of the business office, including all bookings and reservations for retreats. As Finance Director she is responsible for the annual budget, payroll and all financial matters.

Ginny is in charge of maintenance, housekeeping and kitchen operations of the Center. A former buyer for a major department store, she is responsible for all purchases and acts as liaison with the Diocese for all Capital Expenditures. She has been at the Center since 1985.

Msgr. James E. Wall began working at St. Columban Center in 1993 and became Administrative Director in 1994. He was ordained in 1963 for the Diocese of Buffalo and has served as a missionary in Puerto Rico and as an Associate Pastor and Pastor to Buffalo area parishes. Msgr. Wall has a Bachelor of Arts degree in classical languages and a Master of Arts degree in World History. In his current position, he is the sacramental minister presiding at liturgies for those who attend the retreat center.