“From those who have been given much, much will be required; from those who have been entrusted much, much more will be asked.” (Lk. 12:48)
Shanon Marie Sterringer was ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic Women Priest Movement on Saturday, August 3, 2019, in Linz, Austria. The ordaining bishops were Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger and Mary Eileen Collingwood. Her diaconate ordination took place in Boston Hts., Ohio on July 10, 2019. She is the Founder and Director of the Hildegard Haus (formerly the Hildegarden) and the developing Community of St. Hildegard in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, and a member of the presiding team at the Community of St. Bridget in Brecksville, Ohio.
Shanon earned a Ph.D. (2016) in Ethical and Creative Leadership (focused on the leadership example of St. Hildegard of Bingen) from Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio; Doctor of Ministry degree (2012), Master of Divinity equivalent (2010), and MA in Theology (2007) from St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe, Ohio; MA in Ministry (2011) from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio; and a BA in Religious Studies (2003) from Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to following her call to ordination, Shanon served as a certified lay ecclesial minister and master catechist in the Diocese of Cleveland. In the parish she worked in the area of catechetics, liturgical and pastoral ministry, parish administration, theology, and leadership training. She has travelled to Bingen, Germany several times over the last few years to walk in the footsteps of Hildegard of Bingen for research and personal/professional development. She has also traveled to the Holy Land and India where she offered seminars on women and ecclesial leadership. She is currently interested in studying non-profit administration and leadership. Shanon is a well-seasoned retreat director and has offered numerous retreats for women and men on various topics, most notably topics relating to St. Hildegard of Bingen. She has recently published a book through Fortress-Augsburg Press, “30 Day Journey with St. Hildegard of Bingen” and is currently writing a new book on her call to ordained ministry. She is an adjunct faculty member of Global Ministries University and the People’s Catholic Seminary, and is a commissioned member of the Federation of Christian Ministries.
“As many of us present here today know, this journey is not for the faint of heart. We have been called and entrusted to bear witness to what is true and just–what needs to be proclaimed for future generations. Yes, we have been given much, and, therefore, much more will be asked.”