Spiritual Renewal Center - Syracuse, New York

Jim Krisher is the founder and full-time director of the Spiritual Renewal Center. Jim received his undergraduate degree in Religion from Syracuse University, and his master's degree in Theology from Boston College. Jim has also pursued further graduate studies in Christian spirituality and spiritual direction at Creighton University. He has written numerous published articles in his area of expertise, and is the author of Spiritual Surrender: Yielding Yourself to a Loving God, and The Ongoing Work of Jesus: His Mission in our Life, both published by Twenty-Third Publications. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the Religious Studies department at LeMoyne College, where he teaches courses in New Testament and Christian spirituality. He is married and the father of four children.

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Margaret Babcock works in Faith Formation for the Diocese of Syracuse. She was trained as a spiritual director here at the Spiritual Renewal Center.  

Toppie Bates is a retired Episcopal priest affiliated with St. James Episcopal Church in Skaneateles. 

Toppie received her training as a spiritual director here at the Spiritual Renewal Center.

Maureen received her master’s degree in theology from St. Bernard’s Graduate School of Theology and Ministry, and her training as a director here at the Center.  Maureen also has a doctoral degree in theology from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH.  She recently retired from the NYS Department of Corrections as the Catholic Chaplain at Five Points Correctional Facility.  In retirement she is a substitute teacher in several schools in the Auburn area.

Ann Derr received her training in spiritual direction here at the Center.  Her education also includes Loyola University's Institute for Ministry Program in Pastoral Studies with a focus in Christian Spirituality.  Ann is active in parish leadership and ministry at her home parish, Church of the Nativity at Immaculate Conception in Pompey.

Kathy Faber-Langendoen received her training in spiritual direction here at the Center.  She has led Adult Education in Christian Reformed and Presbyterian Churches; she now worships at People’s AME Zion.  She is also a physician-bioethicist at SUNY Upstate Medical University.   

Chris Goral serves in ministry at the Vineyard Church in Auburn.  She was trained as a spiritual director here at the Spiritual Renewal Center.  

Joseph Jozwiak, FSC is a De La Salle Christian Brother and currently the president of Christian Brother Academy in Syracuse.  He received his training as spiritual director at The Upper Room Spirituality Center of the Diocese of Trenton, NJ.

Pam Kelsey-Gossard is a counselor presently working on staff at Immanuel Methodist Church in Camillus. She is married and the mother of two children. Pam trained as a spiritual director here at the Spiritual Renewal Center. 

Bob Langston is pastor of Onondaga Hill Presbyterian Church in Syracuse. He trained as a spiritual director here at the Center. 

Mark Lawson is pastor of the United Church of Christ in Bayberry, Liverpool, and an adjunct faculty member at LeMoyne College, where he teaches courses in New Testament and world religions. Mark is also on the faculty of the New York School of Ministry, an alternative ministry preparation program of the United Church of Christ.  He trained as a director here at the Center.

Marise May coordinates the Center’s Nineteenth Annotation version of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. She also serves as a staff member of our Horizons Foundational Program for the Training of Spiritual Directors.

Gerry McKeon, SJ is a Jesuit priest with extensive experience in spiritual direction and in offering the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius to men and women from all backgrounds. He has served as a chaplain at Ithaca College and Cornell University, and on the staff of Eastern Point retreat house in Gloucester, MA.

Steve Moore is the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Marcellus and a licensed psychologist at Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse.  He trained in spiritual direction at the Haden Institute/Mt. Carmel Spiritual Center in Niagara Falls and Loyola House in Guelph. 

Sr. Kathleen founded Francis House in 1991 where she is now the Director of Mission Outreach. She holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College and completed post-graduated work in theology and the Center’s spiritual direction training program.

Kathleen Owens received her training in spiritual direction at the Syracuse diocese and at  St. Louis University.  She retired after 24 years of work as pastoral associate at Sr. Francis Xavier Church in Marcellus, and she has served as a spiritual director here at the Spiritual Renewal Center for over 25 years.

Kathy Papa is a certified substance abuse counselor. Kathy also serves as a staff member for our Horizons Program. She trained as a spiritual director here at the Spiritual Renewal Center.

Lana Riley received graduate training in theology and spirituality and recently retired from the pastoral team of St. Margaret's Church (Homer, NY) after many years in ministry.

John Rose is a retired Catholic priest of the diocese of Syracuse, former pastor of St. Vincent parish and former director of Christ the King Retreat Center. He serves at the Spiritual Renewal Center as a spiritual director and staff member of our Horizons training program.

Mary Ellen Schopfer, CSJ  has worked extensively in spiritual formation, and has served as a spiritual caregiver with Hospice. She is also involved in spiritual ministries in the Utica area. She trained as a spiritual director here at the Center.

Lou Sogliuzzo, SJ is a Jesuit priest, retreat director at Christ the King Retreat House and is involved with several parishes in the Syracuse Diocese.

Gary Smith is a United Church of Christ (UCC) clergyperson who has served congregations in Binghamton and Homer. He serves as the Racial Justice Coordinator for the UCC’s NY Conference. Prior to that, Gary served for ten years as a pastoral associate in two Catholic parishes. He graduated from St. Bernard’s in Rochester, and was trained as a director here at the Center.

Ginny Smith is a retired Presbyterian clergyperson. She has an M.Div. from Princeton Seminary; a D.Min. from McCormick Seminary, Chicago; and a Professional Certificate in Spiritual Gerontology from the Johnson Institute, St. Louis, MO. She trained as a director here at the Spiritual Renewal Center.

Rose Raymond Wagner, OSF has worked many years in spiritual formation. She was formerly on the staff of Christ The King Retreat House and Stella Maris Retreat Center.

Terry was trained in spiritual direction here at the Spiritual Renewal Center.  He is a Conference Minister for New York Mennonite Conference, which is part of Mennonite Church USA.  He has an undergraduate degree in Chemistry, a Masters in Teaching, and a Seminary degree from Eastern Mennonite Seminary.  In addition to part time ministry, Terry was part of a family owned hardware and building supplies business for 17 years.  He and his wife live in Lowville NY.