Kathleen has felt the Spirit’s calling to ministry and service throughout her life, leading her on many different paths before she applied to RCWP’s preparation and discernment program as a candidate for ordination in 2016.  During her college years, Kathleen was a volunteer and intern in economically depressed communities, writing grants for a community organizing project and working in many parish ministries. She obtained a degree in theology and for several years taught religion and psychology in Catholic high schools.  Following completion of her master’s degree in community and organizational planning, Kathleen worked as a technical writer while pursuing certification as a mediator.  She served as a volunteer mediator in several community conflict resolution programs, before obtaining a law degree and working as a federal civil rights attorney until she retired in 2017.  Throughout her career, Kathleen remained actively engaged in ministry and service through her worship communities and her deepening interest in the contemplative life.  Before retirement, she completed several programs on spiritual formation offered through the Shalem Institute.  After her husband Rick’s passing, she felt the Spirit’s call to share the practice of Centering Prayer through service to Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington, where she currently serves on the coordinating team.  In 2020, Kathleen was ordained to the priesthood and completed certification as a facilitator of contemplative prayer groups and retreats through the Shalem Institute.  She continues to be a member and to minister at Communitas, an intentional eucharistic community, and at Dignity Washington and Dignity NoVA, both support and faith communities serving LGBTQI Catholics in the metropolitan Washington area.

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Kathleen can be reached at kathblankriether@gmail.com.