Meet our spiritual directors
Maureen Collins
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
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.
Jim Krisher
Jim Krisher is the founder and a staff spiritual director at 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.
Mark Lawson
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.
Gerard McKeon, SJ
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.
Kathleen Owens
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.
Ginny Smith
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.
Gary Smith
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.
Terry Zehr
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.