Retreat Ministry Team
Shevaun A. Low (Executive Director)
Shevaun grew up and spent much of her life in Hawaii, where she encountered the Jesuits through the campus ministry at the University of Hawaii. She is married and has already had a career in urban planning, working primarily with transportation systems. Shevaun discerned a change in her life path when making the Spiritual Exercises at Gonzaga Eastern Point. She has an MA in Theology and Ministry from Boston College, a certificate in spiritual direction from the Sisters of St. Joseph Spiritual Direction Intern Initiative program, and has completed three units of CPE.
Shevaun grew up and spent much of her life in Hawaii, where she encountered the Jesuits through the campus ministry at the University of Hawaii. She is married and has already had a career in urban planning, working primarily with transportation systems. Shevaun discerned a change in her life path when making the Spiritual Exercises at Gonzaga Eastern Point. She has an MA in Theology and Ministry from Boston College, a certificate in spiritual direction from the Sisters of St. Joseph Spiritual Direction Intern Initiative program, and has completed three units of CPE.
Gerry Blaszczak, S.J.
Gerry comes to us from Fairfield University, where he served as Alumni Chaplain and Special Assistant to the President. While at Fairfield, he had also directed the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality. Gerry holds a Ph.D. from Harvard in New Testament and has taught at Fairfield, Fordham, Le Moyne and Hekima School of Theology in Nairobi, Kenya. He was Director of Novices for the New York and Maryland Provinces of the Jesuits, before serving as V.P. For Mission and Ministry at Fordham, Pastor of the Church of St. Ignatius, NYC., and Secretary for the Promotion of Faith at the Jesuit Headquarters in Rome
Gerry comes to us from Fairfield University, where he served as Alumni Chaplain and Special Assistant to the President. While at Fairfield, he had also directed the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality. Gerry holds a Ph.D. from Harvard in New Testament and has taught at Fairfield, Fordham, Le Moyne and Hekima School of Theology in Nairobi, Kenya. He was Director of Novices for the New York and Maryland Provinces of the Jesuits, before serving as V.P. For Mission and Ministry at Fordham, Pastor of the Church of St. Ignatius, NYC., and Secretary for the Promotion of Faith at the Jesuit Headquarters in Rome
Michael Boughton, S.J.
Michael joined the staff in 2024, after serving as Rector of the Faber Jesuit Community, at Boston College's Clough School of Theology and Ministry. He has a BA and MA in English from Boston College, and his MDiv from the Weston School of Theology, and was ordained in 1979. Michael has also served in campus ministry at the College of the Holy Cross, as Rector of the Fairfield University Jesuit Community, president of Fairfield Prep, Director of BC's Center for Ignatian Spirituality, and Formation Assistant for the Jesuits USA East Province.
Michael joined the staff in 2024, after serving as Rector of the Faber Jesuit Community, at Boston College's Clough School of Theology and Ministry. He has a BA and MA in English from Boston College, and his MDiv from the Weston School of Theology, and was ordained in 1979. Michael has also served in campus ministry at the College of the Holy Cross, as Rector of the Fairfield University Jesuit Community, president of Fairfield Prep, Director of BC's Center for Ignatian Spirituality, and Formation Assistant for the Jesuits USA East Province.
James Carr, S.J.
Previously on staff from 2007-2010, Jim returned to Gonzaga EPRH in August of 2023. For twelve years, he was engaged in the spiritual and apostolic formation of Jesuit novices as an assistant director and director of the novitiate. He has also served in secondary schools as campus minister and administrator (Boston College High School) and teacher and chaplain (Loyola School, New York City). Special interests include biblical studies (MA, Catholic University) and spiritual direction (Certificate, Center for Religious Development).
Previously on staff from 2007-2010, Jim returned to Gonzaga EPRH in August of 2023. For twelve years, he was engaged in the spiritual and apostolic formation of Jesuit novices as an assistant director and director of the novitiate. He has also served in secondary schools as campus minister and administrator (Boston College High School) and teacher and chaplain (Loyola School, New York City). Special interests include biblical studies (MA, Catholic University) and spiritual direction (Certificate, Center for Religious Development).
Dawn Alves
Dawn Alves, a native of Cape Ann, has joined the Retreat Staff after serving in Parish Ministry for almost 40 years as a Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Associate. While in parish ministry Dawn led students on numerous mission trips to the Dominican Republic and celebrated the Jubliee World Youth Day in Rome. She holds a BS in education for the deaf and hard of hearing and a Masters Degree in Religious Studies from Boston College in Religious Education. In 2022 she received her certificate in Spiritual Direction from the St. Anthony Shrine in Boston. Dawn has been married to her husband Tom for over 40 years and thoroughly enjoys the beauty of God's grace found in every season here on Cape Ann; but her greatest joy is found in helping people of all ages discover the beauty of our Creator's presence and accompanying them on their spiritual journey.
Dawn Alves, a native of Cape Ann, has joined the Retreat Staff after serving in Parish Ministry for almost 40 years as a Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Associate. While in parish ministry Dawn led students on numerous mission trips to the Dominican Republic and celebrated the Jubliee World Youth Day in Rome. She holds a BS in education for the deaf and hard of hearing and a Masters Degree in Religious Studies from Boston College in Religious Education. In 2022 she received her certificate in Spiritual Direction from the St. Anthony Shrine in Boston. Dawn has been married to her husband Tom for over 40 years and thoroughly enjoys the beauty of God's grace found in every season here on Cape Ann; but her greatest joy is found in helping people of all ages discover the beauty of our Creator's presence and accompanying them on their spiritual journey.
Julie Fertsch, SSJ
Julie Fertsch is a Sister of Saint Joseph from Philadelphia and she joined the retreat staff in the Spring of 2025. For the past 10 years, Julie has served as the Director of the St. Joseph Worker Program in Los Angeles, CA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from St. Michael’s College and has experience in education, foreign mission work, counseling/social work, young adult formation, retreat work, and Spiritual Direction. Julie received her certificate in Spiritual Direction through the Spiritual Direction Internship Initiative in Boston, MA. She loves companioning people in their relationship with God and is passionate about scripture and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
Julie Fertsch is a Sister of Saint Joseph from Philadelphia and she joined the retreat staff in the Spring of 2025. For the past 10 years, Julie has served as the Director of the St. Joseph Worker Program in Los Angeles, CA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from St. Michael’s College and has experience in education, foreign mission work, counseling/social work, young adult formation, retreat work, and Spiritual Direction. Julie received her certificate in Spiritual Direction through the Spiritual Direction Internship Initiative in Boston, MA. She loves companioning people in their relationship with God and is passionate about scripture and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
Bill Clark, S.J.
Fr. Bill Clark, SJ, has joined the EPRH staff until May 2026. He will assist as a retreat director during his sabbatical leave from his teaching position at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, where he teaches and writes on Catholic theology and Christian prayer. Bill, a native of Maine, joined the Jesuits in 1982. After his ordination in 1993, he served as a parish priest in Kingston, Jamaica, for several years. He has directed many parish group retreats and individual silent retreats in retreat centers in Maine (Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon), in Scandinavia (Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery), and in various other locations. For the past ten years, he has also been part of a team of lay persons and Jesuits in Worcester, MA, offering a 30-week version of the Spiritual Exercises (“Retreat In Daily Life”) to 15 to 20 retreatants each year.
Fr. Bill Clark, SJ, has joined the EPRH staff until May 2026. He will assist as a retreat director during his sabbatical leave from his teaching position at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, where he teaches and writes on Catholic theology and Christian prayer. Bill, a native of Maine, joined the Jesuits in 1982. After his ordination in 1993, he served as a parish priest in Kingston, Jamaica, for several years. He has directed many parish group retreats and individual silent retreats in retreat centers in Maine (Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon), in Scandinavia (Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery), and in various other locations. For the past ten years, he has also been part of a team of lay persons and Jesuits in Worcester, MA, offering a 30-week version of the Spiritual Exercises (“Retreat In Daily Life”) to 15 to 20 retreatants each year.
Staff
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Daniel Schrader: Business and Property Manager
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Jimmy Walen: Handyman
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Sandy Walen: Housekeeping
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Daniel Ryan: Director of Dining
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