Kathleen McShane Bean has been listening to the call of God for over 30 years. She is delighted to finally be able to answer “yes”. Kathy has worked as an RN in Emergency room and intensive care. She has been married for more than 45 years to Vic, enjoying living in New Mexico and Alaska in their younger years. They have two grown daughters and six grandchildren.

Kathy completed the lay pastoral program at the Athenaeum of Ohio, earned a unit of CPE, and continued her studies completing MATS at United Theological seminary in Dayton. She has continued her hands-on healing by learning Reiki. Kathy has been thrilled to find The Living Beatitudes Community of Dayton whose weekly services celebrate the freedom of the people of God and the dignity of people of all sexual orientations, genders, races and creeds. 

Professional Title: Rev. Kathleen McShane Bean

Location: Centerville, OH

Ordained Priest: 2015

Kathleen Blank Riether has felt the Spirit’s calling to ministry and service throughout her life, leading her on many different paths before she applied to RCWP’s preparation and discernment program as a candidate for ordination in 2016.

During her college years, Kathleen was a volunteer and intern in economically depressed communities, writing grants for a community organizing project and working in many parish ministries. She obtained a degree in theology and for several years taught religion and psychology in Catholic high schools. After pursuing a masters degree in organizational planning and certification as a mediator, Kathleen worked as a program analyst for a decade. During that time, she also served as a volunteer mediator in several community conflict resolution programs, before obtaining a law degree and working as a federal civil rights attorney until she retired in 2017. Throughout her career, Kathleen remained actively engaged in ministry and service through her worship communities and her deepening interest in contemplative life. Before retirement, she completed several programs on spiritual formation offered through the Shalem Institute.

After her husband Rick’s passing, she felt the Spirit’s call to share the practice of Centering Prayer through service to Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington, where she is currently on the leadership team. Kathleen is also working toward certification as a facilitator of contemplative prayer groups and retreats through the Shalem Institute and continues to serve in various ministries at her worship community, Communitas, an intentional eucharistic community, and at Dignity Washington, a support and worship community serving LGBTQI Catholics in the metropolitan Washington area.

Professional Title: Rev. Kathleen Blank Riether

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Ordained Deacon: 2019 | Ordained Priest: 2020

Dagmar Braun Celeste, MA, in Theology and Addiction Counseling, BA in Women Studies and Public Policy, APP, is an experienced Life Balance coach. Her autobiography, We Can Do Together / Impressions Of A Recovering Feminist First Lady was published by Kent State University Press, 2002. She was a board member of the Women’s Ordination Conference and Mary’s Pence, First Lady of Ohio (1983-1991), taught at Kent State University, and published numerous articles. She is active in the hospice movement and lives at “The Tyrian Oasis,” a hermitage in Cleveland’s Inner City where she offers retreats, ritual celebrations and sacramental opportunities. Website: www.tyrian.net

Professional Title: Rev. Dagmar Celeste

Location: Cleveland, OH

Danube Seven Womanpriest: 2002

I heard God’s call to priesthood since childhood. I answered the only way I could as a woman, and served God as a Franciscan Sister of St. Joseph for 7 years. I am married to my partner of 50 years. She is my joy. 

I worked in healthcare for 48 years before retiring. The last 33 of those years I was a Clinical Oncology Social Worker at a National Cancer Institute Hospital, working with HIV/AIDS patients at the height of the AIDS epidemic and with patients and families throughout their battle with all forms of cancer.

I was a Eucharistic Minister since 1970. I was a volunteer Minister of Care in the Chaplaincy Department at the Hospital where I worked, providing spiritual support to patients. For 7 years, I provided Communion Services at a Senior Citizens Residence.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, and a Masters of Social Work. I was ordained a Deacon in September 2022, and a Priest in June 2023. I have been pastor of Holy Spirit of Joy ICC since my ordination in 2023.

Professional Title: Rev. Carmella “Cookie” Cicirelli

Location: Canton, MI

Ordained Deacon: 2022 | Ordained Priest: 2023

Holy Spirit of Joy Inclusive Catholic Community
located at Celebration Lutheran Church ELCA
39375 Joy Rd, Westland, Mi.  48185

Holy Spirit of Joy is a community of Catholics celebrating the Sacraments, the inclusive love of God for all people and all of God’s creation. You will always be accepted and welcome just as you are. You are welcome no matter your race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or marital status. We lift each other up and lovingly celebrate our diversity.  God loves you, no exceptions, all are welcome.

Contact: Rev. “Cookie” Carmella Cicirelli RCWP
at cookconn@hotmail.com

Katherine Elsner was born and raised in rural Greensburg, IN, attended boarding high school in Oldenburg, IN,and was a member of Dominican Sisters of Springfield, IL for 44 years. She taught at all levels of elementary school, then served as principal of three elementary schools in three dioceses in Illinois. She served as Chief Financial Officer for 16 years in the Dominican congregation.

Her degrees include BA in Elementary Education (St. Ambrose University, Davenport,IA), Masters of Education (University of Illinois in Champaign), and a partial masters in Financial Management (University of Notre Dame, IN). Her passion for social justice over the years drew her to support and to be called to priestly ordination, ordained November 2021 in RCWP.

She serves at Holy Family Inclusive Catholic Community in Springfield, IL where she lives. For exercise and fun she does performance dancing with Springfield International Folk Dancers, ballroom dancing with her dance partner Bob, as well as gardening and walking. She has six living siblings, with multiple nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews, and great-great nieces/nephews.

Professional Title: Rev. Katherine Elsner

Location: Springfield, IL

Ordained Priest: 2021

Worship Community
Holy Family Inclusive Catholic Community
2939 Stanton StreetSpringfield, IL 62703
Inclusiveholyfamily.org

Holy Family Inclusive Catholic Community is a faith community in central Illinois that exists within the Roman Catholic tradition and is inclusive of all people. Weekly mass in person and via Zoom each Saturday 4:30 Central Time

Dan’s priesthood is animated by his spiritual direction practice, home masses and a blessed variety of opportunities to preach in numerous area churches. Flowing from his Masters in Pastoral Studies (2009) and Certificate in Spiritual Direction (2010) at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, he has done parish ministry and retreats before serving as Program Director for the (former) Chiara Center in Springfield, Illinois. While not currently with any community, Dan invests his energy in anti-racism work, interfaith community building, the UNITED Open & Affirming faith communities and his monthly visits to offer spiritual support to those at the Elizabeth Packard Mental Health Center. When not actively engaged in ministry, Dan plays trombone in the pit orchestras for local theatrical productions, tends his gardens and makes lots of homemade jelly. For over 35 years, he has been blessed to live with his wife Sherry as they support and celebrate their adult children Nicolas and Clare.

Professional Title: Reverend

Location: Rochester, IL

Ordained Deacon: 2023 | Ordained Priest: 2024

Website: dfrachey.wixsite.com/website

Paula Ivory Hoeffer serves the Resurrection Community in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is busy presiding at home masses, baptizing, anointing the sick, and being present to those who feel lost or marginalized. She is a former Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and graduate of the University of Dayton. She taught for 32 years as a Catholic educator, which has given her the wonderful opportunity to travel extensively worldwide through student exchanges. Paula is happily married for over 50 years to Ed, her supportive and loving husband. She has three daughters who keep her alive and energized, and nine beloved grandchildren. She never imagined that she would become a woman priest or bishop, but received a definite call in prayer and has responded humbly and enthusiastically.

Professional Title: Bishop Paula Hoeffer/Rev. Paula Ivory Hoeffer

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Ordained Deacon: 2013 | Ordained Priest: 2014 | Bishop: 2025

Contact: paula.hoeffer@gmail.com

Community: Resurrection Community

Meeting Type: Zoom

Eileen is the pastor of Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community in Urbana, Illinois. She was ordained as a priest in 2023, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in social work, completed 15 hours from People’s Catholic Seminary and is currently pursuing a DMin from Fuller Seminary. She worked as a clinical social worker for nearly 20 years.

Eileen first felt called to the priesthood as a young child. Coming of age during the civil rights era, she was shaped by her parents’ example of care for the poor and commitment to racial equality. She married, raised 10 children—some adopted through the foster care system—and is now the proud grandmother of 18 grandchildren. When Eileen’s parish eliminated their social justice program, she and her friends asked why they couldn’t start their own community to carry out the social teachings of the church, and so they did just that. When they sought a priest to lead them in liturgy, it was Roman Catholic Women Priests who stepped forward. 5 years later the community is going strong, and Eileen is their priest.

Professional Title: Rev. Eileen Mathy

Location: Urbana, IL

Ordained Deacon: 2022 | Ordained Priest: 2023

Elsie Hainz McGrath pastors Therese of Divine Peace Inclusive Roman Catholic Community in Saint Louis, Missouri, which was founded on the First Sunday of Advent in 2007 and has met for weekly Sunday liturgies (celebrated at Saturday Vigil Masses) ever since. Therese also celebrates together on Christmas Eve, Holy Thursday and Good Friday; celebrates an annual Memorial Mass in November and an annual Epiphany retreat in January; and celebrates one another.

We spend our meager income and our considerable talents on social justice and radical inclusivity. Elsie is happily available for weddings and holy unions, funerals and memorial services, baptisms, anointings, and other sacramental services as requested and/or needed, and is especially passionate about preaching. Theological degrees from the Saint Louis University Jesuits and Aquinas Institute Dominicans, catechetical certification from the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and extensive working relationships with the Redemptorists and Augustinians have rounded out a lifetime of ongoing studies and ministries that include international editor and writer, college campus minister, parish RCIA director, and statewide leader in marriage preparation; as well as program coordinator for the Great Waters Region from 2008-2015. A widow, she has four children, 12 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Website: www.thereseofdivinepeace.org

Professional Title: Rev. Elsie Hainz McGrath

Location: St. Louis, MO

Ordained Deacon: 2007 | Ordained Priest: 2007

Judith McKloskey first spoke up for women’s ordination when her fourth grade teacher said girls couldn’t be altar servers. A long time member of the Women’s Ordination Conference, she was active in Women’s Worship Circle and Never On Sunday, a group studying lectionary references to Biblical women. After earning a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Library Science, Judith managed library networks and religious organizations for 20 years. During that time, she served her parish in many roles, including parish council president, lector and lay preacher. Judith is the second priest from Minnesota to be ordained, and the first to be ordained in Minnesota. Semi-retired, Judith accompanies people along their life journeys, and serves as a presider and sacramental minister for families and small faith communities. She serves as one of RCWP’s archivists. After many years in Minnesota, Judith now lives in Missouri with her husband, near her daughter and family. 

Professional Title: Rev. Judith McKloskey

Location: Kansas City, MO

Ordained Deacon: 2006 | Ordained Priest: 2007

Marty Meyer-Gad lives in Mankato, MN with her husband, married son and grandchildren. Her MA in liturgy and certificate in pastoral liturgical ministries led her to Detroit and Chicago where she wrote Basics: a Liturgical Education Handbook and began the At Home with the Word series. Along the way she ministered as a parish liturgist, consultant, hospice visitor, hospital chaplain and presider of worship in prison.

Having created many custom liturgies, in 1983 she danced down the aisle to preside with her husband, Bruno, at their wedding. Her journey to priesthood is told in her memoir, Seventy-Four Cents. Since her ordination she writes stories where women priests enable women, men and children to equally share their spiritual journey. Her Kimsara Detective Series highlights tweens enabling concrete change while breaking stereotypes. In Of Priests and Porcupines the fictional Molly Winters faces threats but outlines a papal plan for a Catholic Church of equals. www.martymeyergad.com.

Professional Title: Rev. Marty Meyer-Gad

Location: Mankato, MN

Ordained Priest: 2010

Mary Ellen Robertson, BA in Theology, RN, ministers through card ministry, spiritual direction & retreat work, publishes a spirituality reflection letter, The Spiritual Connection by subscription and presider for Eucharist with Sojourner Catholic communities in Muskegon area of west Michigan and Deltona, Florida.  “Her Story” is published in RCWP’s book, Women Find A Way: The Movement & Stories of Roman Catholic Womenpriests. She has served as hospital chaplain and Spiritual Care Counselor for hospice.  Mary Ellen has authored two books, Meditations for Working Women and Meditations for Working Men, owned and managed a motel for 17 years and written various articles including business, personal interviews and spirituality. She is a mother of three adult daughters (including twins), grandmother of five and lives with her husband, John for over 50 years in Michigan. 

Professional Title: Rev. Mary Ellen Robertson

Location: Norton Shores, MI

Ordained Deacon: 2006 | Ordained Priest: 2007

Kathy Rolenc has a priestly ministry that includes presiding with three different communities. I also work as a home health caregiver with all Alzheimer’s patients. I am a certified nurses aide and an emergency medical technician. 

I have volunteered in Parish life as a Eucharistic minister, homebound Eucharistic minister, catechist, Arts environment, planning Eucharistic prayer services and parish liturgies. Also being a youth minister is one of my passions! Preparing teen and young adult retreats, fundraising for world youth day and national youth Catholic conferences. I have certificates in lay ministry from the Archdiocese of Chicago, University of Saint Mary by the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, youth ministry from Loyola University, theology and ministry from Saint Xavier University Chicago, and a BA in theology. There is nothing more satisfying than doing God’s work. I thank God for my gift of faith, my vocation and the support of my wonderful husband! 

Professional Title: Rev. Kathryn Rolenc

Location: Henderson, NV

Ordained Deacon: 2014 | Ordained Priest: 2016

Susan M. Russell has been a social worker since 2004 and opened her private practice , Heart Centered Health and Wellness, LLC, in 2024. She is certified as a gender affirming social worker through the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and volunteers with a local LGBTQIA+ support group.

She has an Master of Arts in Theology from John Carroll University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Akron. She is a member of the Community of Saint Bridget in Brecksville, Ohio, where she serves on the liturgy committee and presides with other members of her community. She formed another faith community in 2025, In the Footsteps of Rabboni, with the intention of offering masses in her home and community.

Susan has several fitness certifications (personal trainer, group fitness, yoga teacher, and USAT Level One triathlon coach) and has completed several sprint triathlons. She lives in Medina Ohio with her black Labrador, Joey.

Professional Title: Clinical Social Worker

Location: Medina, Ohio

Ordained Deacon: 2022 | Ordained Priest: 2023

Community: Community of Saint Bridget

Community Contact: https://www.communityofstbridget.org/worship-aids

Website/social media: https://russellstrong.com/

Meeting Format: Both (In person and zoom)

Before answering the call to priesthood, Tina answered a different call; the call to work with children and their families in public schools. After serving as an elementary and middle school teacher, K-12 Principal, adjunct instructor, and school district administrator for nearly forty years, Tina retired.

As an adult, Tina moved in and out of the Roman Catholic Church. Even though the institutional Roman Catholic Church rejected Tina because of her same sex attraction, she never lost her faith in God, nor her love of the mystery of that faith. In connecting with Roman Catholic Women Priests, Tina found a Catholicism rooted in treating all people with dignity; a Catholicism that renewed her spirit and invited her to live out her faith in service to others.

Just as she served in public schools, Tina looks forward to serving in a different way; by sharing the gospel of our brother Jesus Christ. As her journey continues to evolve, Tina looks forward to following the Divine Feminine, wherever that may lead her. Tina is the first Roman Catholic Women Priest to be ordained in Kansas.

Professional Title: Rev. Martina (Tina) Thompson

Location: Lawrence, KS

Ordained Deacon: 2024 | Ordained Priest: 2025

Susan Kochert Vaickasuski was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana. Susan received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Purdue University and a Masters of Pastoral Studies from Loyola, Chicago with a certificate in Human Relations and Helping Skills also from Loyola, Chicago.

Susan felt called to ordained priesthood within the Catholic Church her whole life. She was ordained a deacon June of 2015 and a priest June, 2016. Susan has been involved in active ministry since her teens. She was on the board for the Office of Evangelization, Chicago in the 1980’s. She wrote programs to welcome back those who felt distanced from the church, began programs to reach out to the homeless and needy, was a Director of Religious Education on the high school and junior high level.

She helped begin the pastoral ministry program at her parish in the late 1970’s, trained Eucharistic Ministers, wrote prayers and was involved in ministry of care and the bereavement ministry. In 2006, Susan and her daughter founded the Fred Outa Foundation which raised money to sponsor an elementary school in Kibera Slum, Nairobi, Kenya and raised money to build a high school for girls. Susan and Ron have been married for 45 years. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.

Professional Title: Rev. Susan Vaickauski

Location: Northbrook, IL

Ordained Deacon: 2015 | Ordained Priest: 2016

Kathy Sullivan Vandenberg, MS, M.Div., is a feminist theologian, clinical therapist, and trauma specialist. She serves as an associate pastor at Good Shepherd Parrish, Nenno, WI. Ms. Vandenberg’s current ministries include counseling, adjunct graduate educator, and hospital chaplain. For the past 30 years she was active in several ministries in her parish and archdiocesan committees. She has two grown daughters and one grandson. Kathy has been active in the women’s ordination movement for over thirty years. 

Professional Title: Rev. Kathy Vandenberg

Location: Nenno, WI

Ordained Priest: 2006