Our Community

The Christine Center: Our 40 Year History
On October 11, 2020, the Christine Center celebrated its 40th Anniversary.
The Christine Center began humbly as a vision of Sr. Virginia Barta, OSF. As a vowed religious, Sr. Virginia was committed to living a socio-hermetical life. She valued the transformative qualities of nature, silence, and the practice of meditation. After practicing years of contemplative meditation, she wanted to create a welcoming place of retreat and renewal for all seekers, a synthesis of Western and Eastern spiritualities, which would embrace all persons, nationalities, cultures, and creeds. As the sign above the Center’s entrance proclaims, “We are One.”
Leadership Team

Valerie Haberman
Acting Director & Communications Manager
View Valerie's Bio
Valerie is a dedicated leader from Northern Minnesota who feels most at home among the trees and forests of the Midwest. She finds her solace in the tranquility of nature alongside her beloved companion, Charlotte. Her deep commitment to the Christine Center began in 2014 when she first encountered this spiritual sanctuary on a personal retreat. Her journey of involvement began immediately as a volunteer and, as her dedication to our community grew, flourished into a full-time leadership role in 2019.
Valerie’s academic journey includes a B.S. in Psychology from St. Mary’s University and an M.A. in Servant Leadership from Viterbo University, emphasizing her commitment to personal and communal growth.
Grounded in her passion for inner exploration and self-realization, Valerie embraces the transformative teachings of the Diamond Approach. She finds inspiration in literature, writing, and the soothing embrace of nature. Valerie is dedicated to collaboratively nurturing and safeguarding the Christine Center’s role as a spiritual sanctuary for personal growth, introspection, and meaningful connections. Her leadership style combines professional acumen with a warm, empathetic spirit, and she is committed to cultivating a haven for ALL who seek inner transformation and genuine connections.

Melissa Thielman
Volunteer Coord. / Bookkeeper
View Melissa's Bio
Melissa Thielman grew up among the 10,000 lakes of Minnesota and now can glimpse a view of the Mississippi river from her living room in Trempealeau, WI. She was introduced to the Christine Center and the Diamond Approach in 2012 and fell in love with both – spiritual home and spiritual path. Her working life has been as a medical Social Worker, involved in various direct service and leadership positions. In Madison, WI, she helped develop and implement an innovative health care program designed to promote independence for persons with physical disabilities and chronic illness. She later became a social worker and then grief counselor in hospice care, and most recently worked in a dialysis setting. Prior to joining the Diamond Approach, she had a long interest in yoga, qigong, and Buddhist teachings, and participated in retreats by Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hahn. She also practiced Nonviolent Communication, where she met her partner, Wade. Melissa is currently Volunteer Coordinator and Bookkeeper for the Christine Center

Wade Britzius
Program Manager
View Wade's Bio
Since 1971 Wade has called the beautiful Driftless region adjacent to the Mississippi River his home. He was the founder and for 28 years director, of Trempealeau County Community Television studio, working with a wide variety of people and institutions. He has done several major photo documentary projects and has served on several non-profit Boards and as a County Government Supervisor. Wade has practiced Vipassana meditation since 1988, and has been a student of the Diamond Approach since 1996. He has made an extensive study of Nonviolent, or Compassionate Communication since 2003, and currently works part time mediating custody and placement of children for the local Family Court. He leads workshops related to Nonviolent Communication, and loves to ride his bike over the hills, and canoe the riverways of his local region.
Resident Partners in Mission
Our dear Sisters’ live on campus in the Christine Center Community and are among many Sisters’ who have supported the mission fo the Center over the years (see more history above). As partners in mission, Sisters Johanna, Henrita, and Gabriele provide, via a collaborative working relationship, donated services such as: facilitating workshops and retreats; offering spiritual guidance, presence, and hospitality; leading daily prayer and meditation opportunities; fostering and tending to the Charter for Compassion membership; and shepherding the bookstore and art studio.

Johanna Seubert, FSPA
Prayer, presence, and programs, including spiritual guidance sessions
View Sr. Johanna's Bio
Sister Johanna Seubert, FSPA is a spiritual director and retreat facilitator at the Christine Center. She is experienced in guiding and accompanying others in their spiritual unfoldment, and assists them in clarifying their own spiritual process. She welcomes people as they are and helps them take the next step to their unique spiritual development. As a Diamond Approach teacher Johanna has additional training and experience in guiding individual students to discover the innate beauty and depth of their true nature.

Henrita Frost, SSND
Prayer, presence, and programs, including spiritual guidance sessions
View Sr. Henrita's Bio
Sister Henrita is a spiritual director who participated in a program in spiritual direction at the Center for Spirituality and Justice in New York. Henrita’s desire at that time was to offer spiritual direction to people who were homeless and did not have the basic necessities for a comfortable life. That desire was short-lived because her congregation asked her to go to Rome. Since she has been at the Christine Center, she welcomes the opportunity to offer spiritual guidance to others with a particular emphasis on compassion and loving kindness.

Gabriele Uhlein, OSF, PhD
Prayer, presence, and programs, including spiritual guidance sessions
View Sr. Gabriele's Bio
Sister Gabriele Uhlein is a skilled facilitator and retreat guide dedicated to the recovery of the Christian mystical tradition and the honoring of intuition and creativity in spiritual deepening.
She is known for her Franciscan approach to contemplative ecological consciousness and her workshops are grounded in the wisdom of the Christian mystics as well as contemporary spiritual thought both East and West
Her mandala making and intuitive painting sessions are creative personal growth opportunities and she also offers individual intuition training and creativity coaching sessions.
In 1983 Gabriele authored a small book: Meditations with Hildegard of Bingen. She has been sharing her love of Hildegard ever since. Every September she hosts a Hildegard Fest at the Christine Center.
Board of Directors
The Christine Center Board of Directors is a working board of dedicated members of diverse experiences, expertise, and spiritual paths – all committed to supporting our mission. With their generous hearts, they support the amazing Christine Center staff, stepping in where needed as all move our dream forward.

Rosalie Hooper Thomas
Board Chair
Sparta, WI
View Rosalie's Bio
In 2014, Rosalie retired from the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, WI. She served for 13 years as the liaison to business, facilitator, coordinator of the Servant Leadership program, program coordinator, retreat director and spiritual mentor. Prior to her time with FSC, Rosalie had her own practice as an organizational development consultant. Since 2012, Rosalie has been an FSPA Affiliate and in that role was co-chair of the FSPA 2018 Assembly Planning Committee. In addition, Rosalie participated in the FPSA/Affiliate Homelessness Initiative Committee, which was instrumental in establishing the Franciscan Hospitality House & supporting the Coulee Collaborative to End Homelessness. Rosalie lives with her husband Stan in the country and travels when she can to visit four beautiful granddaughters.

Linda Cates
First Vice Chair
Wausau, Wisconsin
View Linda's Bio
Linda Cates is a leader in organizational development with an extensive background and experience in business management, public relations, fundraising, strategic planning and marketing. She has a long history of donor development and fundraising with many not-for-profit organizations, including the UW-Sheboygan Foundation, VibeTech, Inc, and Lake County Academy in partnership with her husband Randy Apel. Linda had served on the Christine Center Board of Directors for six years in the past and served on the Capital Campaign team for the Chapel wing addition of the Center. She served as the Co-Chair of the Donor Development Committee while she was on the Board. Linda had an influential part in the forming of the Center’s current Mission, Vision and Values of the Center.

Vicki Whitledge
Second Vice Chair
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
View Vicki's Bio
Vicki Whitledge is a Professor at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in the mathematics department. She has a PhD in Applied Mathematics. Her main mathematical interest is in using mathematics to answer people’s questions to help with decision making in the real world. Topics of applications she has worked on have varied widely from biology and environmental questions to funding scholarships to business applications. In her teaching, her goal is to assist people who are afraid of math or who do not think they are “good” at it to succeed where they did not think they could. She participated in the Christine Center’s three-year Spiritual Deepening for Global Transformation program and believes that the Christine Center is a jewel to be treasured and nurtured. She plays crystal singing bowls and she designed and installed a mown triple-spiral labyrinth on her property.

Wade Britzius
Director
Trempealeau, Wisconsin
View Wade's Bio
Since 1971 Wade has called the beautiful Driftless region adjacent to the Mississippi River his home. He was the founder and for 28 years director, of Trempealeau County Community Television studio, working with a wide variety of people and institutions. He has done several major photo documentary projects and has served on several non-profit Boards and as a County Government Supervisor. Wade has practiced Vipassana meditation since 1988, and has been a student of the Diamond Approach since 1996. He has made an extensive study of Nonviolent, or Compassionate Communication since 2003, and currently works part time mediating custody and placement of children for the local Family Court. He leads workshops related to Nonviolent Communication, and loves to ride his bike over the hills, and canoe the riverways of his local region.

Sabine Hartmann
Director
Loyal, Wisconsin
View Sabine's Bio
I am originally from the state of Maryland and moved to Wisconsin after I graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia in 1989.
After working in a number of veterinary clinics over the years, I finally opened my own practice on my farm in Loyal, WI in 2007. I provide care for horses, dogs, and cats.
In my spare time, I enjoy taking care of my farm and riding horses. I have developed a keen interest in reined cowhorse and show during the summer. I recently built a heated, indoor riding arena and enjoy sharing this with the public for riding, offering clinics, and event rental.
Other interests include swimming, gardening, and snorkeling.

Kristine Kiefer Hipp
Director
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
View Kris's Bio
Kris received a BSE and MSE in Special Education from UW-Whitewater and spent 22 years in the School District of Janesville teaching and leading District Special Education and Staff Development efforts, and teaching classes at UW-Whitewater. She received a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from UW-Madison, taught Educational Leadership at Ball State University and retired as a Professor Emerita from Cardinal Stritch University in Doctoral Leadership Studies in 2013. In 2003 Kris participated in the Franciscan Pilgrimage Program to Assisi and Rome, which led to establishing a partnership with Pieve International School in Umbria coordinating Leadership, Learning and Service retreats and Italian Cultural Immersion tours. For the past 35 years, she has served as a consultant/facilitator for Organizational Change and collaborated, presented and published nationally and internationally with colleagues related to building and sustaining Professional Learning Communities, building Leadership Capacity, and studying effective Leadership in High Needs Schools. Kris is active in the Mindfulness Community of Milwaukee and Christine Center retreats and programs.

CaSandra May
Director
Baraboo, Wisconsin
View CaSandra's Bio
CaSandra is a licensed clinical Psychotherapist, certified Energy Healer and Intuitive, as well as an ordained Interspiritual Minister. She is a Sufi mureed and has been initiated into the Sufi Healing Order. Twenty years ago, she decided to leave the traditional psychotherapy clinic setting to create a physical space and overall environment that would better hold and foster people’s healing and spiritual journeys. She uses diverse ways in addition to and beyond psychotherapy in her guidance of people. She lives and works from this little spiritual center named Orenda Place, in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Also, along with a team, CaSandra founded a non-profit organization that focuses on social justice, peace and non-violence education and activities. She has taught non-violence and anti-racism workshops in the community, and held annual public peace events. She has participated on or chaired the Missions and Social Concerns Board at the United Church of Christ in Baraboo.

Sara Neall
Director
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
View Sara's Bio
Sara Neall is a retired elementary school teacher with extensive experience in curriculum development. In 2011 she moved from Canada to the US and began to study yoga and Buddhist meditation. For 8 years she taught gentle and restorative yoga classes across the city of Milwaukee. She is a student of early Buddhist text and insight meditation. She has been coming to The Christine Center regularly since 2017. Currently she works with Sister Henrita writing about compassion on The Circle of Compassion blog they share. She loves walking, reading and traveling.

Paul Norton
Director
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
View Paul's Bio
Dr. Paul Norton teaches mindfulness in a variety of settings, including schools, prisons, and for various groups at Milwaukee Mindfulness Center. He is certified to teach Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, as well as various other modes of meditation and awareness practice. He is the guiding instructor and one of the founding members of the Mindfulness Community of Milwaukee. The Community was founded as a nonprofit in 1998. He is a core member of the Order of Interbeing, an organization founded by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk, that is devoted to supporting mindfulness practice.
He was a pediatrician who has worked extensively with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin since beginning his residency in 1978, up to his retirement from clinical practice in 2016. Most of his work was in general pediatrics, but the last 10 years was devoted exclusively to developmental behavioral pediatrics. He has lived in Wisconsin since 1974 and has two adult children. He is presently learning Spanish and improving guitar skills. He is available to counsel on matters relating to mindfulness at paul.norton@milwaukeemindfulness.com

Sandy Sulzer
Director
Willard, Wisconsin
View Sandy's Bio
I have been the director of a center devoted to community engagement and health equity; I am completing my studies in law; I have served on a non-profit board and on national advisory boards in the past; I am a certified advanced practitioner of the Eden Method/ Eden Energy Medicine; I presently am a teaching assistant for Introduction to Buddhism and have a rich spiritual life; in my work as an educator and professor I have honed teaching skills, project management skills, and team-building. I look forward to engage within my community, and support the long-term sustainability of the place I have chosen to make my home.

Gabriele Uhlein
Director
Willard, Wisconsin
View Gabriele's Bio
Sister Gabriele Uhlein, OSF, PhD is a skilled facilitator and retreat guide dedicated to the recovery of the Christian mystical tradition and the honoring of intuition and creativity in spiritual deepening.
She is known for her Franciscan approach to contemplative ecological consciousness and her workshops are grounded in the wisdom of the Christian mystics as well as contemporary spiritual thought both East and West. Her mandala making and intuitive painting sessions are creative personal growth opportunities and she also offers individual intuition training and creativity coaching sessions.
In 1983 Gabriele authored a small book: Meditations with Hildegard of Bingen. She has been sharing her love of Hildegard ever since. Every September she hosts a Hildegard Fest at the Christine Center.

Kathleen Yosko
Executive Director
Willard, Wisconsin
View Kathleen's Bio
Kathleen Yosko has served in the role of Executive Director of the Christine Center since July, 2019. Within a 20 year history with the Center, she served as Chair of the Development Committee, which raised over $1million for new construction of Center buildings. Kathleen began her career as an RN/clinical specialist in rehabilitation at the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh PA. She served as President and CEO of Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital (founded by Sr. Virginia Barta) from 1998 to 2017. Under her leadership Marianjoy experienced a transformation in programming and care delivery. After facilitating a financial turn-around, she strengthened Board leadership and established the Marianjoy Foundation raising nearly $36 million. She has served as the Chairperson of the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association and as Chair of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Kathleen consults with a number of organizations and serves on several boards.

Henry Eisenhauer
Emeritus
West Bend, Wisconsin
View Henry's Bio
Henry, a native of Germany, came to the United States in 1959 and eventually began his own Tool and Die business in West Bend, WI. He is married to Paula Eisenhower and they have four adult sons and six grandchildren and one great grandchild. As a member of the Board, he brings with him a background in business and in various religious traditions, including Christianity, Masonry and Science of Mind. He is also a devotee of Mother Meera who resides in Germany. In 1998 he became a member of Metta Trust, a community of privately owned lands and dwellings adjacent to the Christine Center. He has built dome home on his land so he is here often. He has served on the board for many years and was given the title of Board Member Emeritus.
Honoring the Legacy of
Bela Maroti
The Christine Center
Board Chair 1990-2014
First Emeritus 2014-2022
Bela Maroti passed from his life of service and devotion to his beloved wife, Julie and daughters Lisa, Kelly, and Jennifer on December 13, 2022.
May his memory and life well lived be a blessing to us all.
Read Full Letter from Executive Director
The Christine Center, founded by Sr. Virginia Barta, OSF, opened in an unfurnished barn with a dirt floor on October 10, 1980, as a retreat center grounded in Franciscan values where people of all faiths and spiritual backgrounds were welcomed. Sr. Virginia believed that all spiritual seekers could benefit by retreating to a place of silence surrounded by nature and grounded in the practice of meditation.
In the beginning the Center operated without a Board, Bylaws, Budget, or a paid staff. Rather, the Center’s viability depended greatly on the generosity of neighbors and volunteers who assisted with maintenance, vegetable gardening, and the construction of a few basic hermitages, where individuals could reside as they deepened their spiritual practices within a nurturing community.
Although simplicity was the key, the financial realities of keeping the Center viable tended to be an ever-present threat. The Franciscan Sisters sought consultation from a clinical executive, Bela Maroti, who was associated with one of their Milwaukee hospitals. Sr. Virginia and Sr. Johanna Seubert invited Bela, known for his ability to assess the viability of not-for-profit organizations, to offer guidance.
Although Bela may have had personal doubts, he was moved by the intentionality of the Sisters and the retreatants. At his urging and with his assistance, Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation were written in 1990. A Christine Center Board was formed. Bela served as Board Chair from 1990-2014. A Not-for Profit designation was applied for and awarded to the Christine Center in 2002.
During his tenure as Chair, much was accomplished with the assistance of five resident Sisters who operated all aspects of the Center’s operations without compensation. The original Barn was no longer safe to house Center programs. Bela assisted with devising a plan to construct and fund a new building, which included a Meditation Hall, Dining Hall, and sleeping rooms which opened in 2001. The construction of a second wing of the Center opened in 2010, which included a Chapel, library, meeting, and office spaces.
In 2014, after 24 years of dedicated service, the Christine Center Board named the library in his honor, and awarded him the first emeritus board status, as he retired his role as Chair.
Bela was a generous spirit. He funded an endowed scholarship at the Center, so that tuition assistance could be provided for those in need.
Bela escaped the revolutionary turmoil of Hungary and came to the United States to complete his theological studies in 1953 where he met Julie and began a family. Despite the struggles he faced throughout his life, Bela remained amazingly positive. He was grounded in the reality that if we dare to go where true vision leads, and not be deterred by doubts, obstacles, and nay-sayers, and if we ask for guidance, what is needed will come. His philosophy certainly held true throughout his years at the Center.
Bela Maroti passed from his life of service and devotion to his beloved wife, Julie and daughters Lisa, Kelly, and Jennifer on December 13, 2022.
May his memory and life well lived be a blessing to us all.
Gratefully,
Kathleen Yosko
Executive Director
