Passing the Torch: A New Director for the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center

After 15 years as director of the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center, Dominican Sister of Peace Dorothy Trosclair, Sister Dot as she is known, is handing the reigns of the Center over to Karen Tobin as she moves into a new phase of religious life: retirement.

“I am very proud of everything we’ve done at the Center, being able to listen to the story of people’s lives and their relationship with God has been wonderful,” Sister Dot said. “One on one time has brought me great joy, sometimes tears, sometimes great sadness and after that, the formation of spiritual directors has been such a joy to watch it grow and spread out across the state and beyond.” 

After her years in ministry, Sister Dot thinks the Center is one of the greatest kept secrets in the city and so far, people have found out about them through word of mouth. The staff has started a social media presence recently and are actively reaching out to church parishes to further spread the word. 

A ministry with a vision

The vision of the Spirituality Center, located at 1005 Airline Park Blvd. Metairie - the old convent at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, is very clear: the ministry is committed to nurturing the spiritual growth of the clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. They carry out this ministry through individual and group spiritual direction, formation of spiritual directors, formation of faith companions, supervision and on-going formation for spiritual directors, Lenten and Advent Retreats in daily life, seminars, workshops and lectures for spiritual growth.

“We have a staff and volunteers who are well versed in our vision and ministry and plan programs throughout the year,” Sister Dot said. “We build everything around this basic vision and mission statement, and with the approval of the archbishop, as we are forming spiritual directors and faith companions.”

Established in 1983 by Archbishop Philip Hannan, the Center’s role was to find ways to provide the archdiocese with tools to enhance the life and ministry of the religious. It grew from there to focus on increasing the availability of trained spiritual directors, as well as retreats, workshops and days of prayer.

At the core of the Center is the internship program which incorporates a broad reflection of the ministry of spiritual direction within the context of today’s church. Following the theology and methodology of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the internship program prepares the individual to guide others in on-going spiritual direction and directed retreats.

“When the Center first opened and started off in New Orleans with Archbishop Hannan, I thought to myself that this program is too good to keep local and we need to go beyond, push out further and reach more people,” Sister Dot said. “So, we expanded to Grand Coteau and invited people from other dioceses to participate.”

She added that today they have people coming to participate in this ministry from across the state of Louisiana as well as from Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi and other parts of the country. 

Under new leadership

“I am excited about this new position but know that I have really large shoes to fill,” Tobin, who has served as assistant director since last year, said. “I am the first lay person to have this position and that is a little bit daunting, and I hope that everyone will be accepting of the transition.”

Tobin was a physical therapist by trade before training and joining the center and felt like physical therapy was her first vocation, then her family was also a vocation.

“It has been an incredible cross over between physical therapy and spiritual direction, because it uses every part of you when you find your ministry,” she said. “The Lord was cultivating me all along for this moment, it has been a slow progression to this point and a profound experience to listen to other’s stories of how God is in their lives.”

Sister Dot said part of being the executive director of the Center is being on the lookout for future leaders in the ministry and when you spot someone, you just know. 

“Karen caught it and understood what spiritual direction was and had love for it,” she said. “You could see her attraction to the ministry she has the gift of leadership, and I know she will  continue to do a great job here.” 

“We are so grateful that the archdiocese has always been a huge supporter of our ministry and programs,” Tobin said “I am looking forward most to the spirit of community of teachers, students and support we give and receive – both are important. I am also looking forward to modernizing the programs and building on established relationships.”

Retirement plans

Sister Dot doesn’t know yet what she will  miss the most about retiring though she has announced that she is moving to the St. Catharine Dominican Sisters of Peace farm house in Kentucky. She does plan on taking a year of prayer, and some individual spiritual direction while making herself available for consultation and help as needed.

On Oct. 4, the Center will offer the community the opportunity to personally thank Sister Dot for her leadership and dedication to her ministry at their annual Mass and Gala Dinner. For more information or to purchase tickets visit https://nolacatholic.org/gala.