Areas of special interests are indicated, but all directors are typically open to any and all ages and stages of life. Special interest are included for the potential directee's (YOUR) discernment.

To email a director, click on the director's name, or right-click their name to copy the email address.

If their email is not linked here, reach out to the ASC to connect with that director. 

New Orleans

Sr. Suzanne Brauer, OP

I am a Dominican Sister of Peace, professed for over 50 years. I was born in New Orleans. My education includes graduation from Cabrini High School, from Loyola University, New Orleans with a BA, from Notre Dame University, South Bend, IN with a Masters in the Science of Administration and from Xavier University of Louisiana with a Masters in Theology with a focus on Black Catholic Spirituality. My ministry experiences include Parish Religious Education in Louisiana and Arizona, Leadership in my Religious Community, Treasurer of my Congregation, Director of Mission Education in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and now Co-Director of the Dominican Peace Center. 
Areas of Special Interest: 


All ages and stages, social justice issues, especially racism, and ecology

Yvonne Hymel

I am a married woman living with my husband in Metairie, La.  A registered nurse, I retired after a long career in childbirth education.  I'm a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and active in liturgical ministries.  A life long Catholic, I direct people from a number of other faith traditions.

Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages, especially those struggling with faith

Sister Maureen Little, RSCJ

Sr. Maureen is  a Religious of the Sacred Heart, entering religious life in 1992. She have been a teacher for more than 35 years, teaching kindergarten, middle school and high school. 

She is retired from teaching 8th grade and sophomore religion at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Her experience with students and families is extensive. 

She also have had 14 years experience as an administrator in the Schools of the Sacred Heart. She was married before she entered religious life and have two sons and six grandchildren. She is  warm, compassionate, fun loving, outgoing person. She is  an extroverted person and very easy to communicate with.

 
Deacon Tim Meaut

I am originally from Mississippi, but have been in New Orleans since my college days at Tulane University.  I am single, never married.  I was ordained a Deacon for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 2018.  I currently minister at St. Edward the Confessor parish in Metairie.    I am retired from my professional life.

Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages, Vocation discernment

Karen Tobin

Karen was born and raised in Texas but has called Metairie home since 1985. She is the mom of three adult sons and recently celebrated the birth of a grandson! She is widowed and retired from a fulfilling career in Physical Therapy. In 2019, she formally began the path to becoming a spiritual director. Karen received her certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2022 through the Archdiocese of New Orleans and another certificate from Creighton University in 2025 and a Masters in 2026. She now serves as a teacher in the Spiritual Director Internship Program and as Director of the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center. Karen is also actively involved in the supervision of spiritual directors, helping to support and strengthen others in this vital ministry.

Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages, Grief and loss, Discernment, 19th annotation

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Baton Rouge 

Diane T. Abbondante

I was born in New York but Louisiana has been my home for the past 43 years. I have been married to my husband for 46 years, we have two daughters and 4 grandchildren. I retired from an amazing career in Nursing after 30 years working in Surgical Services. I love all things Ignatian and most enjoy the one on one spiritual direction setting . I have directed the 19th annotation as well.

Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages, Vocational discernment, Wife's journey with Deacon husband, Caregiving

Carmel Acosta

I was born in New Orleans, but I have lived in Baton Rouge all of my adult life. I have been in education and ministry for over 20 years in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. I am a recently trained spiritual director through the Archdiocese Spirituality Center and I have a masters from Notre Dame Seminary. 

Areas of Special Interest: Women in all ages and stages

Carmen Brito-Smith

I am from Quito, Ecuador. I have been in the country for 43 years. I am trained in the Ignatian Spirituality. I received my certification from  the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center  of New Orleans in 2015. I provide spiritual direction in both Spanish and English. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology from Florida Atlantic University.  I enjoy traveling with my husband and daughter and have visited the Vatican in Rome as well as the Holy Land and Medjugorje.  Through Just Faith programs, Carmen has participated in prison ministry in Angola for the pasty 8 years and has been interested in inter-faith dialogue and social justice initiatives.  She is part of the Busy Retreat team for students at Christ the King and Franciscan University.

Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages

Wendy Enloe

I am the Director of Adult Faith Formation and a spiritual director at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Amant, Louisiana. I meet with individuals and retreatants for spiritual direction at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, virtually, and offer programs on Christian formation and spirituality. As an instructor for the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center Spiritual Direction Internship program in New Orleans and for the Diocese of Baton Rouge Ministry and Theology Certification program, I share my passion for spiritual direction, spirituality, and prayer with adults in formation. 

Jo Gomez

I am a wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as a retired Catholic school teacher. I find joy in accompanying others on their spiritual journeys, helping them recognize how God is inviting them into deeper relationship, and discovering the beauty of God's love.

Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages

Sr. Joan Manuel, CSJ

I am a native of Cajun Country in La. where I raised two sons. My family has since grown to include 6 grandchildren and 3 little great grands. Surprisingly, at the age of 40 i joined the Sisters of St Joseph. I have been in religious life for 25 years living in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans area. I am a retired registered nurse and high school theology teacher. I have experience in hospital chaplaincy and in 2022 completed the Internship Program for Spiritual Directors. I am presently involved with parish work at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St Amant where I offer in person and virtual spiritual direction and facilitate 3 and 5 day retreats. I welcome people of various faith beliefs.

Fr. Tom Ranzino

I am a retired pastor in Baton Rouge and have been trained in the Ignatian SD through the Archdiocese Spirituality Center. I am currently offering spiritual Direction and have done so for 35+ years. My schedule varies, and I am currently doing some ZOOM direction. My back ground is active parish pastoring for 40 + years, specialization in Worship. 

Durwin Walker

I am a lay person in the Diocese of Baton Rouge in Louisiana. I am a convert to Catholicism after may years in multiple Protestant denominations. So, I speak both Catholic and Protestant. I was trained in the Archdiocesan of New Orleans/Franciscan University of Baton Rouge internship, complete in 2 years of theology study at FranU in 2018, then the 18th annotation of the Spiritual Exercises, followed by a two year internship in Ignatian spiritual direction, which I completed in 2024.
Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages
In-person only

Lisa Veron

I am a south Louisiana wife, mother and grandmother who has recently retired as a pediatric physical therapist.  We have been location in Baton Rouge for the last thirty years after living in St. James Parish.  I am also a Benedictine Oblate and have been involved in a variety of parish ministries for the past 50 years.  I am a certified Ignatian spiritual director through Franciscan University for the past two years.

Areas of Special Interest: 
I am interested in directing people of all ages in ongoing spiritual direction and on individual directed retreats.  I hope to direct those who want to develop a deeper and more intimate relationship with God within their prayer time and in the context of their daily lives.  I'm particularly interested in contemplative prayer and meeting God in creation.

Northshore 

Joan Bordelon

I am native New Orleanian, divorced and have two children and four grandchildren. Since 1992, my Apostolic work and ministry experiences include Parish Councils, Prayer-Healing team, Hospitality Coordinator at retreat centers, Religious Stores Manager, Ignatian Spiritual Project team facilitator. My experiences within the Ministry of Spiritual Direction have included working with individuals, retreat groups and workshops for Clergy, Religious and Lay women and men of all ages. My special interest is for those desiring to grow deeper in their prayer life, discerning vocations and those seeking healing having been afflicted/affected with various addictions and abuses. It is a Joy to walk with others
as they experience God's personal and intimate transforming love, grace and to be set free to go forth in love and service with God and Others! 

Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages

Jeanne Burmaster

I am an associate with the Teresian Sisters, a spiritual director, and a certified faith companion. Trained in Ignatian spirituality during my internship at the Archdioesan Spirituality Center and through the Loyola Institute of Ministry where I received a Certificate in Pastoral Studies, I have facilitated many retreats and days of prayer.  My love of gardening and nature brings me outdoors where God's presence is so palpable to me.  Helping others to become more aware of God's love and presence in all the moments of their life is my goal as a spiritual director.

I am interested in directing people of all ages.  As a cancer survivor, a wife, mother, and grandmother, I am familiar with all the trials of life.  Learning to bring God into all those moments, both the good and the bad, has given me the courage and strength to not only endure hardships, but to find holy joy and inner peace in the midst of them.  My direction focuses on helping a person to become more aware of God's guidance and presence in their everyday life.

Sr. M. Cecilia Castillo, STJ

I am a religious of the Society of St. Teresa of Jesus (Teresian Sisters), and a spiritual director.  I formerly taught high school but now I am dedicated to accompanying others in their spiritual growth and friendship with the Lord.  I am an Ignatian-trained spiritual director through the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center with an associate in paralegal studies, undergraduate in secondary business education, and a maters on pastoral studies/spirituality from Loyola University New Orleans.
Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages

Elizabeth Goodine

I am a Spiritual Director and a semi-retired Professor of Early Christian History. I live in Covington, LA where my husband and I enjoy spending time with our children and grandchildren. I am an active member at Christ Episcopal Church in Covington and am blessed to be a part of helping people there become more familiar with the process of Spiritual Direction and the Ignatian tradition.
Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages

Ann LaBauve

I am originally from the New Orleans area where I attended Dominican High School.  I am a retired from St. Tammany Parish School System where I spent most of my career as a social worker.  I am an Ignatian trained spiritual director having been certified through the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center in Metairie as well as Creighton University's Christian Spirituality Program.  I enjoy providing individual spiritual direction as well as directing retreats.  
Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages

Doris Melito
I lived most of my life in St Bernard Parish in LA, moved to Metairie and will be moving to Ponchatoula, LA in a couple of months. I am a wife, mother and grandmother. I am a trained spiritual director through the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center  and an Associate of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. I offer spiritual direction and directed retreats to those desiring a closer relationship with Father, Son and Spirit. 

Areas of Special Interest: All ages and stages