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 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.
Aileen Galang
Aileen Galang graduated from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Finance and Economics. She has 15+ years of experience in hospitality and manufacturing industries doing accounting and human resources. She worked at the Center since 2017.
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 fourteen years of experience working with nonprofits in marketing and event coordination.
Stephanie DeByle
Stephanie DeByle graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. She is a dedicated professional with over 26 years of experience working with businesses to help solve problems, streamline processes, lead change, and provide excellent customer service. She serves as a Lector at St. Paul the Apostle.
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.
Sister Mary Paul Moller, FSE
Sister Mary Paul Moller received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Catholic University of America in Washington DC; a Master’s of Science in Animal Science and Therapy from Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. Over the past 25+ years, Sister has been a teacher, counselor, custody evaluator and court appointed parenting coordinator. She developed the Community Task Force on Child Sexual Abuse in Pocatello, Idaho, was the director of the Franciscan Counseling Center in Pocatello and has worked extensively as a counselor in the Parochial School system. She has given presentations on a wide variety of topics including Creative Play Therapy, Using Play as a Diagnostic Tool and Parenting with the Virtues. Sister also co-presented with Sister Colleen Ann “An Integrated Approach to Play Therapy,” in both the United States and the Holy Land. Sister is the director of the Environmental Education Program at the Center and sees private clients at the Lowell and Grand Rapids Campus.
Professional Memberships: Clinical member of AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy), APT (Association of Play Therapy), and the Michigan Play Therapy Association.
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.
Sister Gabriella Pettirossi, FSE, MA, LMFT
Sister Gabriella Pettirossi is a native of Assisi, Italy. She earned a degree in Marketing and Management of Touristic Enterprises in Italy, a Post-Master Certificate in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, CT and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT.
Sister Gabriella is a licensed therapist both in Connecticut and in Michigan and has practiced for over 18 years. She has experience in individual, couples and family therapy and has worked with children and adults with physical or cognitive disabilities. She also held group sessions for people suffering the aftermath of separation, divorce, and the challenge of new relationships for over eight years in Rome. Sister was appointed as psychological Assessor in the Marriage Tribunal of the Diocese of Arlington, VA. She is bilingual in Italian and English and speaks French and German.
Sister Gabriella sees private clients at the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell and in the Grand Rapids campus.
Jennifer Quiroz, MS, LLPC
Jennifer Quiroz graduated from Divine Mercy University with a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling after completing Bachelor of Arts degrees in Catechetics and Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. She enjoys working with clients at a variety of developmental stages, including children, adolescents, and adults. She likes to journey alongside clients as they explore their world and relationships, identify needs, and seek solutions. Her clinical interests include anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationships, and the integration of spirituality and mental health.
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.
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 and became site manager at the Center in 2005. Because of his training at MSU and his background in construction, Cris creates beautiful landscapes with special features like the waterfall and the Rosary Walk. 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
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.
Shanelle McGinnis
Shanelle McGinnis is a 2024 graduate of Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s in music therapy degree and a minor in psychology. Shanelle is a Grand Rapids native and enjoys music of all kinds, as well as serving and helping others. She completed her internship at FLPC and continues to work at the Center with many different populations but has a passion for children and seniors.
Abbey Shell
Abbey Shell is a music therapy student at Western Michigan University. Upon completing her internship, she will graduate with a music therapy degree and a minor in psychology. Abbey is most excited to expand her repertoire and clinical skills through working with various client populations. In her free time, she enjoys writing original songs, crocheting, journaling, and spending time with her husband, Jason.