Women of the Word: A Catholic Women’s Retreat – 2025

Jeannine Peters received her certificate in Spiritual Direction through Divine Mercy University. She also holds a B.S. in Psychology from Bridgewater State College; an MA in Religion and Religious Education from Providence College; and an MA in Theology from The Catholic University of America. She is certified in Theology of the Body through the Theology of the Body Institute and is trained in Unbound Healing Prayer through Heart of the Father Ministries.

In addition to offering spiritual direction, Jeannine is an instructor at Divine Mercy University in the Spiritual Direction Certificate. She is a retreat leader and has been involved in various faith-based initiatives in her area. She is also a contributing author to various books and websites. 

Jeannine was a member of the Theology of the Body Foundation Board of Directors from 2018-2022 and Acting Chair from 2022-2024. Prior to that, she was a member of the Theology of the Body Institute Board of Directors from 2015-2018.

Prior to her decision to stay home and raise her children, Jeannine was a junior high school theology teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Alexandria, VA. She also previously worked in public policy and as a spokeswoman at The National Council for Adoption in Washington DC.

Nicky Verna is a Catholic wife of 30 years to her Deacon husband, Tom, and mother to their 4 young adult children. She entered into the fullness of the Catholic faith in 1992, holds a Masters degree in Theology from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary’s School of Theological Studies and is currently Director of the New Evangelization at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Drexel Hill. Nicky has served the Church as a substitute teacher for area Catholic schools, a prayer intercessor and leader for Unbound, a board member for AbbeyFest Ministries and has served on the planning committee for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Catholic Women’s Conference. Nicky is also a leader and regional ambassador for SoulCore, a Marian prayer apostolate which combines movement, core strengthening and functional exercises with the prayers of the Rosary. She is genuinely in love with Christ.

Jillian Buhl is a passionate convert to the Catholic faith. She is deeply committed to helping people encounter Christ as a spiritual director, through small group ministry and hosting retreats. Jillian is married to Keith Buhl who endlessly supports her in her creative ways to let people know they are loved and that there is so much more to life! If you want to know more, join Jillian for a cup of coffee and find out why she is Joyfully Jillian.

Heather Makowicz is a certified spiritual director with over a decade of experience, formed through the Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirituality and previously through Newman University for a broad Catholic Christian foundation. A former licensed clinical social worker in private practice, she offers whole-person, psychologically informed spiritual direction that integrates spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being. Heather has served as a spiritual director for the Theology of the Body Institute, accompanied participants on Ignatian silent retreats with FOCUS, provides supervision for spiritual directors, and is an experienced retreat leader passionate about helping others reclaim sacred rest in a culture marked by fatigue and burnout.

Heather is the former Founder and President of Peak Encounter Ministries, an apostolate helping young adults encounter God in creation. She finds renewal through hiking, paddle boarding, and spending time outdoors with her close-knit family. As a blessed wife and mother of three young adults—including one with multiple special needs—she carries personal experience of both the challenges and graces of this vocation. Her ministry reflects this lived wisdom, guiding others toward deeper peace, freedom, and encounter with Christ.