Staff
Jane Comerford, CSJ
Director for Spiritual Life
Jane, a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, has many years of experience as a spiritual director, retreat facilitator and presenter nationally and internationally. Her most recent assignment was on the staff of the Desert House of Prayer in Tucson, Arizona, where she served as a spiritual/retreat director. With a degree in education, a Master’s degree in spirituality and certificates in expressive arts therapy and mid-life development, she is able to be of support and guidance to many on the spiritual journey.
Her passion and joy in life have been to accompany others on the spiritual journey. She has many interests in the field of spirituality: Celtic spirituality, creation-centered spirituality, east-west integration, the expressive arts, the new cosmology, energy work and is known for her creative and innovative programs. Originally from upstate New York, she has lived in Washington, DC, where she was on the formation faculty at the Catholic Unversity of America, in Seattle and Spokane, Washington, where she served as director of spirituality centers, and in Tucson. She has been long involved in interfaith experiences and has led interfaith pilgrimages in India, Nepal and Ireland.
Message from Sr. Jane:
I have long admired the work of Father Bede Griffiths and of Sister Pascaline, OSB. It has come as quite a surprise to be invited to come to Sand Springs and to become the resident director of community life and mission. I believe it is the call of the Spirit in my life and was amazed at how this part of my own journey has unfolded. It is a challenge to be a part of “refounding” the Osage Forest of Peace as a center dedicated to contemplative practices. I believe people continue to hunger for an oasis of silence, peace and contemplation. Osage is such an oasis. One of our goals at Osage is to provide a resident contemplative community that others can join for silent contemplative sits and communal prayer. We will also provide workshops and programs that will teach about contemplative practices. The future looks bright to us and we hope you will make Osage a home for yourself!
Mike Touchstone
Director of Administration, Maintenance, Grounds
Mike comes to the Forest after many years in secondary education as a teacher, administrator, and Board Member. He has served in positions related to finance and administration, and has worked in West Africa for three years as a school principal and teacher. Just before coming to Sand Springs in October, 2012, Mike spent two months hiking 900 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail through Oregon and Washington. Mike has a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and a Master’s degree in School Administration. Mike was a member of a Catholic religious community for 20 years, has worked for the US Forest Service as a firefighter, as a crewleader for youth conservation crews, and was in the California Conservation Corps. He has lived in California, Oregon, Arizona, and New Jersey. He enjoys working outdoors, backpacking, gardening, and repairing things.
“I want to be sure that each person who comes to the Forest of Peace has a pleasant stay, and I look after the practical, but important: plumbing, heating, cooling, and lighting. I also take care of the grounds by herding leaves in the fall and by keeping the trails in good shape. I subscribe to the monastic tradition of Work and Prayer. I’m a good listener and appreciate each person’s life journey.
Ginna Bourisseau Guest Services Coordinator
Ginna comes to the Forest from Prague, Oklahoma where she was caretaker of a Meher Baba Retreat Center. In the past she has run a business making and designing jewelry, as well as starting two vegetarian cafes. She has lived and served at an ashram/ retreat center in Vermont primarily devoted to the Radhasoami spiritual path of Sant Mat; literally, Way of the Saints. ( loosely aligned with the Sikh tradition).
Ms Bourisseau is a direct descendant from the Mackinac Island Band of Ojibwa Ottawa and holds the sacred understanding of our indigenous cultures very dear. She was initiated into the practice of Surat Shabd Yoga; a meditation practice by Sant Mat Master, Sant Ajaib Singh Ji. She is inspired and nourished by the study of the Divine as expressed in the many wisdom traditions of the world.
Ginna earned an Ayurvedic Diploma from Kalidas Sanskrit University located in Nagpur, India. Additionally she has pursued studies with Dr. Vasant Lad and was initiated into the knowledge of Shak Vansya Ayurveda by Dr. Rama Kant Mishra. She is available for private diet and lifestyle consultation.
“My view of creation is strongly influenced by my understanding of the connectedness of all life; coming from my Native American heritage, and also from my studies of the Vedas; the earliest body of knowledge that we have of human beings’ desire to know themselves and their universe.”
Sister Maryann Greenwald, SSND
S. Maryann is a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, an international Catholic religious community. Her background includes being an elementary school teacher and principal, a pastoral associate in several parishes, ministering to the elderly, and a child advocate for children and their mothers who experienced sexual and domestic abuse. She has experience and training in spiritual direction and retreat work. Most recently she finished the CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) residency in preparation to become a hospital chaplain. For the last couple of years she ministered as a hospital chaplain at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa. Her experience includes ministering to people from a variety of faith traditions, both Christian and non-Christian.
Meditation and living a contemplative lifestyle has been a part of her spiritual practice for over 25 years. During these years she has taken advantage of making retreats in a variety of contemplative settings, enjoying opportunities for personal growth as well as an understanding of Eastern Contemplative Meditation practices.
“ It has long been a desire and hope of mine to spend my semi-retirement years in a prayerful, contemplative setting, being present and helpful to others as a Spiritual / Retreat director. I am grateful for this opportunity to form community and be of service to spiritual seekers as they come to the Forest of Peace.”
