Staff
Our staff comprises women and men who are not only excellent in their professional areas but are friendly, personable, creative and community-minded. We enjoy working together! As a staff, we strive to create a wholesome, spirited atmosphere where those who come will feel welcomed and appreciated.
Administration
Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE, MA, LPC
Sister Colleen Ann Nagle received a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Viterbo College, a Master of Arts in Counseling and Child Development from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in Moral Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. During her thirty years as a therapist, Sister has been a teacher, counselor, administrator, and consultant. From 1988 to 1996, she worked with the Kent County Juvenile Court in the Adolescent Sex Offender Program. She provides consultation services and crisis intervention to schools and parishes. Currently, Sister Colleen Ann sees private clients and is the executive director of the Franciscan Life Process Center. Professional Memberships: American Counseling Association, Michigan Counseling Association, Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association
Sandy Koteskey, MT-BC
Sandy Koteskey, MT-BC, graduated from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI with a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree in 2005. She has been with the Franciscan Life Process Center since completing her internship, working with individuals and groups of children with autism and multiple impairments. She also teaches trumpet and guitar. In 2018, she was appointed the Associate Director of the Music Therapy Program. She expanded her teaching experiences in 2019 when she taught an Introduction to Music Therapy course at Grand Rapids Community College. Sandy has given presentations on music therapy throughout Michigan and works with many businesses and care providers to develop music therapy programs for their clientele. In 2023, Sandy was appointed as director of the the center. Any inquiries about enrollment in services or general questions, please email skoteskey@lifeprocesscenter.org.
Sister Jeanne d'Arc Paquette, FSE
Sister Jeanne d’Arc Paquette, FSE has worked for the Franciscan Life Center Network since 2013 in the roles of administration, fundraising and digital media. She has experience in web design and videography, and in elementary art education. Sister received her BA in Media Arts and Design and her MA in Theology. She played French horn at the collegiate level and enjoys arranging music for voice and brass ensemble.
Sister Margaret Dahl
Sister Margaret Dahl has a Bachelor of Music Education from Idaho State University and a Master of Art in Musicology from City University in New York. She also has an accounting equivalency degree from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. Sister has taught piano in Idaho and Washington for 15 years and at The John Duss Memorial Music Conservatory for 15 years. She is a proficient accompanist.
Marcia Foote
Marcia Foote graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education/Language Arts. She served as a catechist, director of religious education and a teacher in both public and Catholic schools in Michigan. In addition to her work on the Troubadour, Marcia serves as the receptionist at the Lowell Campus on Tuesdays.
Sister Anna Rose Kalinowski, FSE
Sister Anna Rose Kalinowski, FSE has been active in the business arena for 40 years, specializing in accounting since the early 2000s when she joined the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. She received her B.S. in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University and a Masters in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, Connecticut. Sister has worked in parishes and Catholic schools over the past ten years.
Sarah Kelly
Sarah, who received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Davenport University, has over eight years of experience working with nonprofits in marketing and event coordination.
Ashley Strobel
Ashley Strobel graduated from Aquinas College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Communication and a minor in Theology. After College, she spent a year in San Francisco, Ca as a Dominican Volunteer/Americorp Volunteer at a Cristo Rey School. Since then, she has served in a variety of positions in both the business world and the education field in Michigan, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania. She has a passion for serving those around her. You will find her in both the Lowell and Grand Rapids campuses throughout the work week and she works hard to make both a welcoming environment for all.
Art Program
Kathy Bechtel
Kathleen Bechtel joined the FLPC staff as Art Director in January 2014. She attended Kendall College of Art and Design and has taken workshops with nationally known instructors whose work she admires. Kathleen also has memberships in art organizations around the state, enjoying what each organization has to offer. She now brings many of those instructors to Lowell. Kathleen carefully selects each workshop teacher based on classical art principles. She also finds that these instructors care deeply about their students and bring their unique perspective to each group.
Kathleen works primarily in oil in a realistic style. Her work can be found in collections in various places throughout Michigan including healthcare facilities and private collections among others. She also enjoys teaching different aspects of art in the open studio class on Wednesdays and teaching children’s art workshops.
Counseling
Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE, MA, LPC
Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE received a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Viterbo College, a Master of Arts in Counseling and Child Development from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in Moral Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. During her thirty years as a therapist, Sister has been a teacher, counselor, administrator, and consultant. From 1988 to 1996, she worked with the Kent County Juvenile Court in the Adolescent Sex Offender Program. She provides consultation services and crisis intervention to schools and parishes. Currently, Sister Colleen Ann sees private clients and is the executive director of the Franciscan Life Process Center. Professional Memberships: American Counseling Association, Michigan Counseling Association, Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association
Laura Brandt, MA, LLP
Laura Brandt graduated from Hope College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Business Administration. She completed her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology at Western Michigan University. Laura enjoys working with clients ranging in years from adolescence through adulthood. She believes in meeting her clients at the unique place they face in their life journey. Her clinical interests include anxiety and mood disorders, self-worth/self-esteem issues and shame, grief and loss, faith/spirituality, relationship concerns and women’s issues. She currently holds the positions of Co-Director of the Counseling department and Psychologist.
Emily Andersen, MSW, LMSW
Emily is a clinical social worker. She completed her Bachelors of Social Work from Grand Valley State University in 2004 and her Masters of Social Work from Western Michigan University in 2008. Emily has experience helping those struggling with parenting children with special needs, depression, anxiety, grief, perinatal mood disorders, and coping with chronic illness. In addition to seeing private clients at the center, Emily provides school counseling services to students at two Grand Rapids Catholic Schools.
Sister Mary Paul Moller, FSE
Sister Mary Paul Moller, FSE is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. She holds a Masters in Counseling from Idaho State University and a Masters in Animal Science and Therapy from Michigan State University. She has counseled since 1990. At the Franciscan Life Process Center she works with children, individuals and families and is also the director of the Environmental Education Program.
Professional Memberships: Clinical member of AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy), APT (Association of Play Therapy), and the Michigan Play Therapy Association.
Jamie LaFleur
Jamie LaFleur graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She completed her Master of Arts in Counseling from Michigan State University. During her 20+ years in the field, she has worked in both public and private schools as a teacher and counselor. Jamie enjoys working with children and adolescents, helping them to become effective and competent problem solvers when personal issues affect their ability to succeed. She currently works in Catholic schools as a School Counselor.
Johanna Denton
Johanna Denton graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She completed her Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at St Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. She also holds Master of Arts degrees in Orientation and Mobility (blind rehabilitation) and Psychology. Johanna works with couples, families, and individuals to find solutions which work best for them. Johanna has been a military spouse for almost 20 years and is well versed in the unique needs of military families. She also specializes in work with anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem issues, relationships, and trauma. Professional Membership: AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy)
Kristin LothSchutz
Kristin Lothschutz graduated from Aquinas College with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art with a minor in Developmental Psychology. Kristin enjoys working with clients from adolescence to adulthood on various issues including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and relationships. She also enjoys working with couples to improve communication and strengthen relationships. Kristin aims to provide a nonjudgmental counseling relationship in which clients can process what is happening in their lives and work through the issues they face.
Georgia Schmitz
Georgia is a registered nurse certified as a Creighton Model FertilityCare practitioner. She has been teaching and referring for medical management of fertility issues for 11 years. Recently, she is pursuing her certification as a FEMM teacher with the hope of certification in 2023.
Molly Cwiek, Fertility Education Counselor
Molly comes to the Franciscan Life Process Center as a graduate of Aquinas College in 2018 and Grand Valley State University in 2020, and currently works both as an Registered Nurse in Obstetrics (Labor & Delivery/Postpartum) and as a FertilityCare Practitioner for the Creighton Method of Natural Family Planning. She has a passion for her Catholic faith, Women’s Health & Reproduction, Life & Love, enjoys working in areas where science & faith complement each other. Molly has a special compassion for those struggling with menstrual abnormalities, pain, abnormal bleeding, PMS/mood swings, & infertility. She now educates couples in the Creighton Model FertilityCare System both in-person and virtually, and refers to providers as necessary for NaProTechnology Intervention.
Peter Birkeland, PhD
Rockford Psychological Services, 16 North Monroe, Rockford, MI 49341, provides consultation and supervision to our therapy staff.
Dr. Peter Birkeland is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Michigan. His undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Biology were received in 1981 from the State University of New York at Binghamton (now Binghamton University). He received his Master’s degree in clinical psychology in 1983 from Michigan State University and his Doctorate degree in clinical psychology from MSU in 1985. He interned at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and Dearborn, Michigan.
Dr. Birkeland has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings at Reading Hospital in Reading, Pennsylvania and at Pine Rest Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has been in private practice for 23 years with his main office in Rockford, Michigan and a satellite office in Big Rapids, Michigan. He does psychotherapy with adults and adolescents as well as marriage and family therapy. He also specializes in formal assessment of ADHD, developmental academic disorders and personality. Contact Dr. Birkeland at 616-866-4830.
Casey DeBruyn, Counseling Intern
Casey is currently completing her final semester as a counseling intern at the Franciscan Life Process Center and will be graduating in December of this year with a Master of Arts degree in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling from Western Michigan University. She enjoys working with clients of all ages, especially in the context of family and relationships. Casey will foster an environment of trust as she helps her clients address issues ranging from anxiety and depression to communication and unhealthy patterns in thinking and behavior.
Land and Building
Cris Ritsema, Site Manager
Cris Ritsema, born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI, worked for the Bouma Corporation for over twenty years and graduated from Michigan State University’s Landscape and Nursery Program. Cris began his association with the Sisters through the community workdays. In 2005 started in the site manager position at the Center. Because of his training at MSU and his background in construction, Cris creates beautiful landscapes with special features like our new waterfall. In addition, he is an excellent leader and manager of the many work groups and volunteers that come to the Center.
Barb Ritsema
Barb Ritsema learned about the Center when she sent her children here for preschool in the 1990’s. After working in a variety of roles in the service industry, she was hired as support staff in 2007 to help with the management of the land, and the maintenance of our meeting facilities and overnight accommodations. Barb creates an environment that is both welcoming and professional. Her work on the indoor space of the Center makes visitors and guests feel at home.
Steve Foote
Steve serves as the handyman making repairs and working on projects on the land. He is a retired band director and has a BS in Music Education from Grand Valley State University.
Amanda Whitscell-Fischer
Amanda Whitscell-Fischer initially encountered the Center when she and her family participated in the first annual Franciscan Rhythms Trail Run in 2015. She was excited to see that a prairie restoration was underway and felt an immediate connection to the land. Amanda graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Natural Resources Management, she has worked for various non-profits, land stewardship agencies as well as the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. She is grateful for the opportunity to assist the Land and Building Team in supporting the mission of the Center.
Music Therapy
Sister Jeanne d'Arc Paquette, FSE
Sister Jeanne d’Arc Paquette, FSE has worked for the Franciscan Life Center Network since 2013 in the roles of administration, fundraising and digital media. She has experience in web design and videography, and in elementary art education. Sister received her BA in Media Arts and Design and her MA in Theology. She played French horn at the collegiate level and enjoys arranging music for voice and brass ensemble.
Machaela Marquez, MT-BC
Machaela Marquez completed her Bachelor of Music Therapy from Western Michigan University in summer of 2022. She’s studied voice and is working towards acquiring voice students of her own in the future. Machaela enjoys working with clients of all ages and abilities and is passionate about fostering growth through music.
Rachel Neve, MT-BC
Rachel Neve received her Bachelor of Music Therapy at Eastern Michigan University after completing her internship at Franciscan Life Process Center in the fall of 2021. She enjoys working with clients of all ages and abilities at the Center, fostering growth, encouragement, and the love of music in those she serves.
Amanda Partlo, MT-BC
Amanda Partlo graduated in 2005 from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree. She worked with Sonata, Inc. and Capital Hospice as a contractual music therapist in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. She has conducted music therapy sessions in a maximum-security forensic facility in Florida and in nursing facilities. Amanda has a passion for seniors and has a big heart for hospice work as well as Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
Marissa Peak
Marissa Peak completed her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Aquinas College. She received her Bachelor Equivalency degree in Music Therapy and is currently working on her Master of Music in Music Therapy at Western Michigan University. Marissa completed her music therapy internship at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital where she provided music therapy services in many areas of the hospital, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and Hematology/Oncology Unit.
Lydia Betz, MT-BC
Lydia Betz received her Bachelors of Music Therapy at Western Michigan University after completing her internship at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in the Spring of 2023. She enjoys working with clients of all ages and diagnoses but has a passion for working with kids in all settings. Lydia loves using music to help foster growth in her clients and to help them reach their non-musical goals.