Our Staff & Volunteer Community
Heart of Life is grateful to all of the staff members, guest speakers & volunteers who make up our community.
Here are some of our people:
Clare Shearman, Director
BA(Hons), MBA, Grad Dip Spir Dir (Siloam), Grad Dip Supervision, Supervisor: Australasian Association of Supervision
Clare has been the Director of Heart of Life since January 2022. She graduated from the Siloam Program in 2013 and has been involved in spiritual direction and managed two retreat centres since then. She is also a professional supervisor. Clare has held leadership roles in the corporate world as well as in large and small not-for-profit organisations.
Clare considers herself extremely blessed to be working in service of those who are seeking to nurture their personal spirituality and pastoral skills for the benefit of others. “To undertake this work is a privilege and a great responsibility. I am proud to be the current custodian and leader of this amazing organisation along with the Heart of Life team.”
Dr Lynn Moresi
DMin, MMin, GradDipSD, BBibStud, CertIVTAE, CertIVCelebrancy
Lynn is the Program Director and lecturer at Heart of Life.
Lynn is also a lecturer in Practical Theology (University of Divinity), and a Spiritual Director, Professional Pastoral Supervisor, Enneagram Trainer and popular itinerant speaker who travels regularly to teach and minister in bible colleges, seminaries and churches, both in Australia and overseas.
With over 40 years’ experience in pastoral ministry, Lynn has a passion to see people engage with their faith in an authentic and congruent way so they are free to be themselves and empower others to do likewise.
Lynn has a down-to-earth, humorous communication style that engages and challenges her listeners. She is married with two adult children.
Julie Adam
BA, BTheol, Dip Min, Cert Spir Dir (Siloam)
Julie leads Communal Reflection in the Siloam program and co-facilitates the Let the Heart Listen program at Heart of Life.
A retired minister (Churches of Christ), Pastoral Care Worker & Spiritual Director, Julie loves the contemplative work of listening to our hearts and feels privileged to journey with people in this at Heart of Life.
Julie is married with three adult children and spends as much time as she can at her home in Cape Bridgewater which brings her much joy.
Geralyn Anderson
BTheol, Grad Cert Ignatian Spirituality, Ad Dip Graphic Design
Gigi (she/her) is Communications Manager at Heart of Life.
As a graphic designer & illustrator, she is passionate about using these skills as tools for good, believing in the transformative power of beauty. Formative studies in Theology & Spirituality inform her creative process, designing under Summa Grafika.
Carole Carmody rsm
MEd, Grad Dip RE, Dip T, Cert SD
Carole is a supervisor, and co-facilitates the Let the Heart Listen program at Heart of Life.
She is Sister of Mercy with a passion for the contemplative approach to spiritual direction, prayer, formative processes and retreats.
Susan Gesell
BArts(Religious Studies), Cert Spir Dir, Cert Ministry Supervision
Susan is a supervisor at Heart of Life.
She works as Counsellor, Pastoral Care Worker, Spiritual Director, and Personal & Group Supervisor. She is committed to personal growth, holistic health, and a Contemporary Spirituality of the Heart: “Heart Spirituality is a spirituality of loving dialogue and sensitive awareness of the mystery we call God”. This invites her to an authentic, grounded and deeply human way of living.
Theodora (Dora) Ghaitidis
BTheol, Grad Dip Spir Dir (Siloam)
Dora initially joined Heart of Life as a tutor in the Siloam Program, mentoring & facilitating group work in 2021. Dora is currently a supervisor of the full time Siloam program. A graduate of Siloam and the Emmaus programs at HOL, Dora is well-equipped to support new students through the program.
She is currently completing her Master’s degree to further enhance her theological and pastoral education. She also practices Pastoral Care at St Vincent’s Private Hospital.
Leslie Hanger
BMin, Grad Cert Teach Medit, M Spir Dir, Giver of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises
Leslie is a supervisor at Heart of Life and a co-facilitator of the Spiritual Leaders Program.
She has Master of Spirit Direction and Grad Cert in Teaching Meditation. She is currently completing the Emmaus Supervision Program.
Leslie is passionate about contemplative practices as a pathway for spiritual transformation and for an ever-deepening relationship with God. She is also a Spiritual Director, experienced retreat leader and workshop facilitator.
Peter Hay
DipTeach, BEd, BA, BTheol, Grad Dip Spir Dir, MA Spir Dir, Supervisor: Australasian Association of Supervision
Peter is a lecturer & supervisor at Heart of Life.
Peter is an experienced teacher, leader & spiritual formator as a former Head of Faith & Mission (St Kevin’s College, 1992-2006), Director of Edmund Rice Centre (Amberley, 2007-2016) and Edmund Rice Formation Co-ordinator (Christian Brothers Oceania Province, 2017-2021).
Peter’s deep interest in ecology & spirituality is enhanced by his passion for walking and being in the natural world, experiencing the deeper mystery of interconnectedness.
Jeff Hood
BSc(Psych), BPA, MA, M Tesol, DTS, GDSD, Dip Min, Grad Dip Couns, Dip Ed
Jeff is a supervisor and lecturer at Heart of Life.
Jeff worked as a psychologist for over 40 years. He has extensive experience in the field as a private practitioner, senior counsellor, university lecturer & training manager. Jeff is a registered teacher and qualified TESOL teacher. Jeff also has a degree in Drama & Theatre Studies (Monash University) and is currently undertaking a Master of Theological Studies (YTU, University of Divinity).
Jeff spent four years as a seminarian, (St Francis Xavier Seminary, Adelaide) and regards teaching and supervising at Heart of Life as the highlight of his working life, much more a vocation than a job!
Apryl Huglin
Grad Dip Spir Dir, Grad Dip in Divinity, MASD, Giver of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises
Apryl is a staff member at Heart of Life. She will be guiding and supporting the part-time Siloam students as an intern supervisor.
With a long career in nursing and working as a Baptist Pastor (2008 – 2013), Apryl trained as a Spiritual Director through The WellSpring Centre. Apryl is actively engaged with others in personal spiritual direction, running retreats and courses in spirituality, and is also a participant in Heart of Life’s Emmaus Supervision Program.
Peter Malone msc
BA(Hons), STL, DTheol (Honoris Causa)
Peter is a priest of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) and lecturer at Heart of Life.
Peter was a lecturer at the Yarra Theological Union (1972-1988) and editor of Compass Theology Review, 1972-1997.
He has held presidential roles with the Catholic Film Offices of the Pacific, 1989-1998, the International Catholic Organisation for Cinema (OCIC), 1998-2001 & SIGNIS (World Catholic Association for Communication) as Inaugural President, 2001-2005. Among his various ministries, Peter has published articles and books on Theology, Spirituality and Cinema.
Peter has been reviewing films for Catholic media since 1968.
Khoi Doan Nguyen msc
BTheol, MTS, Institute of Sexuality Studies Chicago Graduate, Grad Dip in Spiritual Direction (Siloam)
Khoi is a priest of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC). He is a formator (currently Novitiate Director) & Spiritual Director. His pastoral ministries, alongside parish work in Sydney & Melbourne, have included: youth ministry, pastoral care for asylum seekers and refugees & retreat-giving. Khoi is part of the Emmaus program at Heart of Life.
Chris Ryan
B.Sc., B Teaching, Grad Cert Catholic Studies, Prof Cert Adol Couns, Postgrad Cert Ed, Grad Dip Divinity
Chris is a volunteer at Heart of Life. Recently retired from his umpteenth reinvention in the workforce as a pastoral carer in a busy palliative unit, he is passionate about asylum seeker welfare, cycling, poetry and the environment. He adores being present, and runs a popular Christian meditation group in his parish. Retirement has afforded him ample opportunity to volunteer, to travel abroad (a son lives in Germany), to return to his beloved table tennis, and to enjoy time with his grandchildren.
Anne Pate
Master of Arts (Spiritual Direction); M.Sc Social Policy & Social Work; Grad Dip Supervision; Grad Dip Theology; Grad Dip Biography and Life Writing; Grad Cert Higher Education.
Anne teaches in the Siloam program at Heart of Life. She graduated from the Arrupe program at Sentir College (later Jesuit College of Spirituality) with a Master of Arts in Spiritual Direction in 2013. Anne has a background in social work and community sector research, and formerly taught Ignatian spirituality and spiritual direction at Jesuit College of Spirituality. She is completing PhD research into narrative practices in the Fifth Week of life after the Spiritual Exercises. She enjoys hanging out at home with Daisy the mischievous Labrador, painting, and travelling with her husband Alister.
Jo Sullivan
Grad Cert. Bereavement Counselling and Intervention. Grad Dip Professional Supervision. Supervisor: Australasian Association of Supervision. Member Transforming Practices Inc., Grad Dip Spiritual Direction (Siloam)
Jo is a spiritual director and supervisor and co-leader of the Emmaus Supervision Program at Heart of Life.
Jo is a professional supervisor in private practice and part of the formation team for the Emmaus Supervision Program. As a spiritual director Jo enjoys being with and ‘listening slowly’ to others spiritual journeys. From 2011-2021, Jo was a pastoral care practitioner at St Vincent’s Hospital (Sydney). She also has qualifications in grief and bereavement counselling, in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).
Hien Vu
BA, BTheol, Grad Dip Spiritual Direction (Siloam)
Hien Vu is a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. He is currently the Parish Priest at Christ the Light Parish (Doreen, Kinglake, Mernda & Whittlesea).
Family is important to him, as is his role as a doting uncle. He is also a Spiritual Director and happy to accompany you on the journey to discover our Inner-World and our ‘Salt & Light’ of Life.
Kathleen Ward
BA (Hons),Dip Ed, Grad Dip Theol, Grad Dip Spiritual Direction (Siloam)
Kathleen leads Communal Reflection in the Siloam Program.
She has worked in chaplaincy in schools and after training as a Spiritual Director has been working in a women’s wholistic centre. She has enjoyed the evolution from teacher to listener. There is a tenderness and depth that we are invited into in contemplative listening that is to be cherished. Kathleen is married with four adult children. She lives in the Dandenong Ranges and loves being with God in nature.
Joan Wright Howie
BA, BTheol, Grad Cert Supervision, MA Spiritual Direction
Joan is a supervisor and course co-ordinator of the Emmaus Supervision Program at Heart of Life.
Joan is a Uniting Church minister who is keen to foster interior freedom through her work as a spiritual director, professional supervisor, retreat leader. She is the program coordinator with the WellSpring Spiritual Direction Formation program. Joan is on the Board of the Australiasian Association of Supervisor’s with a focus on membership support.
As an energetic, passionate contemplative Joan seeks to practice the presence of God in the midst of adventure. She is married to David and they share a house with their young adult son. Her other two kids are living independently. Joan has a dog called Kai who takes her for walks, a garden full of flowers and vegetables, and her happy place is swimming in the ocean.