Katherine's talks build upon the holistic healing Jesus offers us. Drawing from the Song of Songs, she speaks of God's persistent love, tireless love, gentle love, powerful love in her own life and those of women who have experienced sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Katherine is currently writing her doctoral dissertation in theology (theological anthropology/applied theology) at Pontifex University. She holds an MA in Theology & Christian Ministry from Franciscan University and a BS in Industrial Engineering & Management Sciences from Northwestern University.
Having been deeply healed by the Lord, Katherine uses her voice to share God's love with others and to empower others to echo the Lord's persistent "Beautiful, you are all beautiful" and "I love you" through accompaniment ministry. Weaving an understanding of trauma wounds, Christ's healing examples in the gospels, and the work of the Holy Spirit, Katherine proclaims God's liberating word to wounded hearts.
Katherine is currently writing her doctoral thesis on the topic of the impact of God's repeated affirmations on a wounded woman's self-understanding. She is a veteran homeschooling mother of nine. Having been freed from an abusive domestic situation, Katherine has experienced God's mercy and healing through EMDR, healing prayer, and countless hours spent before the Lord in adoration.
Katherine has been an Oblate of St. Benedict since 1990. As a college consultant since 2004, Katherine has worked to empower countless teens on their journeys to college and adulthood. Born and raised in Chicago, having raised her children in San Diego and the Midwest, Katherine has a direct, clear approach. Her Quo Vadis radio show on Dubuque's KCRD station offers teaching on various topics from the Theology of the Body to numerous saints to long form lectio divina considerations of Jesus' encounters with individuals throughout the gospels.
A sampling of topics Katherine speaks on (She can give 2-3 day mission or retreat talks or individual talks):
The Woman with the Hemorrhage and Jesus, her Holistic Healer
I break open the accounts of the healing of the woman with the hemorrhage, exploring the various dimensions of Jesus' healing: physical, identity, personal integration (she got her voice back), social re-integration into the community, healing of the community, who had lacked her presence in their midst, emotional, and psychological. No longer defined by her affliction, she is "Daughter". This talk can be a springboard for empowering people to bring Christ to the wounded in their midst, or can be part of a healing event, drawing all to be more fully healed by God's love.
Who Am I? Identity Lies and Wounds and Getting our Identity from God, a talk for everyone, especially the wounded
Designed to address people who identify by their wounds "rape survivor," "bullied," "abandoned," "divorced," and the like. Speaking the truth of identity in Christ into the tender, wounded places in everyone's heart.
St. Therese - Beyond the Little Way, A Look at Powerful Teachings from this Doctor of the Church
Often reduced to simplistic notions of the "little way," St. Therese of Lisieux' writings offer numerous powerful teachings on a variety of virtues and aspects of the life of a disciple. Can be given as a single talk. Perfect for a weekend retreat, allowing time to reflect on her profound words and to explore how to incorporate her wisdom into our lives.
Flourishing as a Catholic Despite the Sins of Catholics
The Church, by definition, is full of sinners. Nonetheless, she offers each and every person opportunities for conversion and human flourishing. Breaking open the treasures of the Church, penetrating beyond "sacraments" and other words that we use to ignore the rich, life changing encounters with God and generous gifts of God's grace in our lives, Katherine breaks open what has become "boring" and unnoticed or ignored to show forth the incredible gifts God bestows in and through His Church.
Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving: Doors to Healing and Conversion, Transformation and Abundant Life
These penitential staples are often considered as nothing more than things to check off of a list of Lenten or Advent practices. In truth, these practices can open our hearts and lives to the Lord, preparing the ground of our being to encounter Christ in new and deeper ways, allowing Him to heal us, transform us, and help us flourish as the men and women we were created to be.
Christ as the Bridegroom of the Church and Lover of each one of us
Over and over again God has pursued us, showed us His love, offered us opportunities to draw closer to Him. Exploring the ark of God as Bridegroom and His people (Israel, the Church, each one of us) in the Old Testament, particularly in the Song of Songs, we learn to related to God differently, learn to accept suffering and challenges in life as opportunities to grow in love, knowing we are deeply loved, always accompanied, and cherished by God, Who is Love.
Teresa, Therese, Hildegard, and Catherine, Female Doctors of the Church
Perfect for a Fall talk, with the September/October feast days of three of these doctors. What do they bring to the Church? What do they teach? Katherine explores how we are all enriched by the female perspective and the elevation of these women to be doctors of the Church?
Evangelization through Healing, Following Christ's Example, Some Practical Suggestions for Your Parish and Diocese
Pope Francis called the Church to be a field hospital. Field hospitals are out near the battlefield, provide initial care, then send the wounded for deeper healing and recuperation. Jesus healed then preached. People brought others to Him because of the healing He did. How can we reach out to the wounded in our midst? How can we prepare ourselves to receive the wounded? The divorced, abandoned, abused, addicted, unloved, lonely, etc. We don't have to look far for them; in fact, our pews are already teeming with wounded people. By equipping people to begin to minister God's love to people in their woundedness, the Church becomes the healing hands and voices that God uses to bring the Kingdom into our day.
