Women Of Hope – 2023

Jeannine Peters is a certified Spiritual Director. She received her Certificate through Divine Mercy University. She is also 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. She holds an MA in Religion and Religious Education from Providence College and an MA in Theology from the Catholic University of America.

In addition to her spiritual direction practice, Jeannine is a Spiritual Director on courses at the Theology of the Body Institute as well as a Residency Facilitator for the Spiritual Direction Certificate Program at Divine Mercy University. She is a former Member of the Theology of the Body Institute’s Board of Directors from 2013-2018 and is currently the Acting Chair of the Theology of the Body Foundation’s Board of Directors.

She leads retreats for women, speaks on faith related topics, and is a contributing author to various books and websites on topics ranging from adoption, faith, prayer, and Theology of the Body.

Jeannine resides in Devon, PA with her husband, Michael, and their two teenage daughters. She and her family served as a Foster Family through Chester County Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Being in Spiritual Direction for over 15 years has been one of the most transformative experiences in my life, both with my relationship with God as well as others. In 2011, together with my Spiritual Director and others close to me, I was lead to discern a vocation as a Spiritual Director myself. In 2017, I completed by graduate Certification in Spiritual Direction through Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania. In 2021, I completed an additional Certificate from the Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirirtuality.

It has been a privilege to offer Spiritual Direction and Contemplative Retreats within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and extending to the Mid-North Atlantic Regions.

I was blessed to have founded Peak Encounter Ministries, a non-profit, Catholic- Christian organization under the approval of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Beginning with radical hospitality, we offer outdoor adventure and contemplative retreats integrating Scripture, prayer, and fellowship through the wisdom of the saints. Since we began, the Lord has led amazingly talented and generous leaders to answer the call to serve on our team!

I have been joyfully married for 30 years and am blessed to be a mother of three young adults, the oldest of which has multiple special needs. Through the years, I have witnessed great physical and emotional healing within my family, community, and within myself. Both from the formation as a Clinical Social Worker and a Christian Spiritual Director, I tend to bring both the spiritual and psycho-social lenses to the individuals/small groups I serve.

Jillian Buhl is a passionate convert to the Catholic faith. She is deeply committed to helping people encounter Christ through small group ministry, hosting retreats and listening. She is currently training to become a spiritual director. 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.

Nicky Verna is a Catholic wife of 28 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 at the age of 25 and has been studying, learning and growing in her Catholic faith ever since. She graduated Cum Laude with a Masters degree in Theology from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary’s School of Theological Studies. She is a daily communicant and a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Drexel Hill where she is Director of the New Evangelization. She is a catechist in the PREP program, facilitates Adult Faith Formation and Scripture Studies, occasionally lectors and is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. She has served the Church as a substitute teacher for area Catholic schools, is a Catholic speaker whenever invited, a prayer intercessor and leader for Unbound, Queen of the Rosary Ministry, a board member for AbbeyFest Ministries and is part of the planning committee for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Catholic Women’s Conference. During the lockdown, she served as a weekly host for the Archdiocese’s Rosary Campaign. Nicky is also a leader, regional ambassador and Discovery Retreat facilitator 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.