S. Joanne Dehmer SSND

Joanne is a native Minnesotan, having grown up in St. Michael. She and her twin brother are the youngest in a family of six children. Her years with the School Sisters of Notre Dame have spanned a wide variety of activities and ministries. With extensive skills in teaching and training, she also has wide-ranging pastoral experience in parish and retreat settings. Joanne began spiritual direction ministry over forty years ago.

Since 1994 she has been a team member at Loyola, where she has conducted retreats and served as spiritual director for a large and diverse clientele. The depth and width of her experience, coupled with her easy presence and inquiring intelligence enhances her professional qualifications as a spiritual director.

Joanne received a Masters Degree in Ministry from Seattle University, after receiving training in Spiritual Direction at the Center for Spiritual Development. She also studied Bio-Spiritual Focusing through the Institute for Bio-Spiritual Research. In addition, Joanne’s ministry often touches on issues related to grief, mid-life changes, aging, death and dying. Joanne is also a supervisor for spiritual directors in training through Creighton University.

Being creative, imaginative and artistic are important to her, and they find expression in activities like watercolor, photography and jewelry making.