Collene Towers was a freshman at LMU and a Christian Life Community leader when she had some questions about her faith. She was referred to Joanna Carroll, C.S.J., for spiritual direction. Towers said meeting Sister Joanna significantly changed her relationship with herself and her faith. “Meeting with Sister Jo was the best decision I could have made,” said Towers. “I felt like I could be completely honest with her. She helped me to discuss my faith and walk with the Lord, while finding ways to get closer with Jesus and embody him in my everyday life.” Towers said she would leave her spiritual direction sessions with a renewed sense of peace and enlightenment.
Sister Joanna, who is retiring from LMU at the end of January, provided spiritual direction to hundreds of students over the 20 years that she worked in Campus Ministry, and they share this sense of gratitude. Sister Joanna said the direct interactions that she had with students and the campus community have deeply impacted her. “It was so rewarding to journey with our students, to accompany them, and to just to be a part of their lives,” said Sister Joanna. “LMU is special, the beauty of the people, the beauty of the campus, the beauty of community life and our faith expression, Ignatian Spirituality. We really are a Catholic university.”
John Sebastian, vice president of Mission and Ministry said that one of Sister Joanna’s many gifts is seeing the divine in everyone she meets. “I always feel better about myself after I spend a moment with Sister Jo. She sees me the way I wish I could see myself,” said Sebastian. “Sister Joanna is the heart of Campus Ministry and represents the best of our spiritual traditions.”
Sister Joanna grew up in Compton, California, and was one of six children. After graduating from Mount St. Mary’s College is Los Angeles with her B.A. in child development, she joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. She worked in Catholic elementary schools for 20 years as a teacher, vice principal and religion program director and music ministry. She went back to school and earned a certification from the Institute of Religious Formation at St. Louis University and a master’s degree in pastoral studios from Loyola University Chicago. She served as a vocation director and then moved into spiritual direction ministry at LMU. Over the past year, Sister Joanna underwent chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to fight colon and liver cancer. She is grateful for the support she received. “I would like to say to the LMU community a great big I love you, and a great big thank you,” said Sister Joanna.
After her retirement, Sister Joanna said she is looking forward to continuing to support the LMU community, spending time with the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange and spending more time in prayer.