|
|
Meet the CAC Staff
Anita Amstutz, M.A. M.Div, Action Coordinator
Anita works 10 hours a week to create outreach and liturgical events in
conjunction with events/conferences. She also facilitates the newly formed
Sustainability Committee (2007), to create "green" opportunities for the
CAC.
Anita is an ordained minister at Albuquerque Mennonite Church. Originally
from Ohio, she completed her seminary training at Pacific School of Religion
in Berkeley CA, graduating with an M.Div and M.A. in Theology and the Arts.
Her first vocation was social work, primarily in community organizing,
teaching and crisis counseling. She is married to Kenneth Couch.
Mike Bennett, Facilities and Men's Work
Mike joined the CAC staff in June,
2005, moving from Grand Island, Nebraska, where he lived
for most of his married life. After attending the Rites
of Passage at Ghost Ranch in 2001, he stayed connected with
the CAC as a volunteer working with the men's work program
from his home in Nebraska. He currently divides his time
between the men's work program at CAC and the building maintenance
of CAC and Stillpoint. He and his wife, Wendy have
three children who all still reside in Nebraska.
Andrea Briggs, Work Intern - Events
Andrea comes to CAC from the blessings and security of a 27-year career with the University of California, a 31-year marriage, and a community of family, friends, church and neighbors. Now she has the great good fortune of a sojourn at CAC to pursue with exuberance the holy adventure of loving, grieving, fearing, desiring, failing, and rejoicing, and of seeking authentic and transforming relationship with God and each of God’s children who is put in her path.
Erika Carpenter, Work Internship Coordinator
Erika Carpenter was born in Denver, CO. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Erika worked at Legacy International in Virginia and then attended Michigan State University where she completed International Social Work programs in Italy and India and graduated with a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work. Since 1993, Erika has lived in Albuquerque, NM where she has worked as a psychotherapist for several social service agencies and been in private practice. She is married to Randy and is a mom to Brandon, Zachary, and Tyler. Erika has a passion for the integration of eastern and western spirituality, holistic healing, and the process of transformation. Having crossed paths with the CAC for many years, Erika is grateful to formally join the CAC staff and community.
Lou-Anne Dillard, Resource Center Manager External Events
Lou-Anne Dillard retired after 24 years at the phone company and through a friend discovered Fr. Richard and the CAC. She did an internship in June of 2002 and stayed on as a volunteer. She was hired as Conference Coordinator in Sept 2002 and after the year beginning conference moved on to serve as Tepeyac Manager for a year. She left for a year to travel and be retired but couldnt stay away. She came back in January 2005 and has served as the Resource Center Manager. She recently bought a house in Albuquerque so maybe she will settle downwho knows!
Richard Dodds, Work Intern - Events
One of Richard’s favorite poets is T.S. Eliot ("Looking into the heart of light, the silence"), a paradigm of the possible synthesis of Old and New World in a mystical key, so he has often marveled at the serendipity of residing at (the) Still Point guest house. This is also the title of a book he much appreciates by William Johnston elucidating the connections between Christian and Zen mysticism.
Before coming to the CAC he encountered and was much influenced by the work of the French spiritual master Arnaud Desjardins, spending time at his ashram.
Besides promoting the Assisi Ennegram Conference (29 May – 1 June 2008) he tries to serve as a bridge to familiarize the French with Richard (Rohr) and everyone else - who will listen - with Arnaud.
Monique Estrada, Graphic Designer
Born and raised in Albuquerque, Monique was brought up with the love of Broadway Musicals. Mimicking the talents of Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole and other greats her passion for music bloomed into a fully active career of singing Jazz throughout New Mexico. Although its rare that you find her performing today that creative ambition has sparked into a new love. Who knew that all the little singing mementos that she kept and placed ever so exact in her scrap book would lead to the profession of Graphic Design? Monique joined the CAC as the Graphic Designer in April of 2007, and it is with deep belief that through prayer God has sent her to be a part of the wonderful staff at The Center for Action and Contemplation.
Robert Fusté, Work Intern - Information Technology
Born and raised in Spain, Rob lived in Berrien Springs, Michigan for the last 15 years. His educational background is business administration and he has managed his own web design business for several years. Not knowing whether web design will give him life in the long-term and having a growing love for retreat ministry, he joined his wife Sarah for a 9-month internship at the CAC in order to better discern “where his deep gladness intersects the world’s great need” while being surrounded by others on an intentional spiritual journey. He looks forward to the good times and challenging growth that will come in living with fellow work interns at Stillpoint and the ecumenical experiences available at the CAC. Rob was greatly blessed by taking part in the Men’s Rites of Passage in 2006 and will be helping by re-designing and maintaining the CAC website.
Sarah Fusté, Work Intern - Events
About 24 years ago, Sarah’s dad recorded in the family journal a line she wrote on the chalkboard in the playroom, “There is something in my heart. I dot know what it is. I tinck it is Jesus.” And there is still something in her heart, which certainly had something to do with her coming with her wonderful husband Robert to spend nine months at the CAC as a work intern this year. Before driving 2000+ miles (through Colorado) to Albuquerque, Sarah worked as a French Instructor at Andrews University in Michigan, where she also enjoyed growing her tulips and tomatoes, spending Saturdays at the beach, and being only a day’s drive from her family in Newcastle, Ontario, Canada. She is grateful to be a part of the intentional spiritual formation and invitation toward action that the CAC seeks to cultivate, and to live at Stillpoint, with its well-equipped library and happy yellow living room.
Justin Gadd, Work Intern - Men's Work
Most recently from Austin, Texas, Justin is returning to Albuquerque after 25 years to fill up on piñon and chili.
Vanessa Guerin, Editor of Radical Grace, Volunteer Coordinator
Vanessa joined the staff of the CAC in January of 2004 as Volunteer Coordinator. In addition to volunteer coordination, Vanessa is Editor of Radical Grace, the CAC publication. Although Vanessa is a native of New Mexico, she grew up in Latin America. After graduating from High School in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she began her studies in art at the Corcoran School of Art, in Washington, D.C., where she lived for 12 years. Vanessa completed her education at University of New Mexico with a degree in Fine Arts. Vanessa feels blessed to have the opportunity to further the mission of the CAC.
Shirin McArthur, Office Manager
Born in California and raised in New Mexico, Shirin came to the CAC in December 2006. Shirin spent the past 18 years in Boston, Massachusetts, attending seminary at Boston University and working as an administrator for Childrens Hospital in Boston and the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. Shirin is a photographer, sacred dancer and Kripalu DansKinetics instructor, and mosaic and ceramic artist. She is married to Henry Hoffman, with whom she shares a passion for the life of the Spirit, a love of photography and unflagging support for the Boston Red Sox.
Rich Meixner, Administrative Assistant / Receptionist
Rich works as the receptionist at the
CAC, after serving in the data entry and resource operations.
Rich came to the CAC via a class on centering prayer, a practice
that he discovered in 2002 as part of his faith journey. Rich
served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica and then worked
for a number of years in the environmental consulting industry
on a variety of soil and water remediation projects. Rich
enjoys reading, gardening, and other outdoor activities.
Paula Montoya, Event Coordinator
Born and raised in Albuquerque,
Paula is married to Juan and has three children (Emmanuel,
Frankie and Teresa), lives in the South Valley, and is a member
of Holy Family Church. She came to the CAC in March of 2006
as the Data Entry/Copy Clerk and feels privileged to work
with a community that is rooted in the teachings of Jesus
and the Gospels. Paula enjoys traveling, reading, and anything
that involves playing in the water.
Teresa Montoya, Data Entry/Copy Clerk
Teresa, born and raised in Albuquerque, came to the CAC in May of 2007 replacing her mother as Data Entry/Copy Clerk. She feels privileged to be part of an organization that is so involved in making the world conscious to a better, more peaceful way of life. She loves getting to experience a wonderful work environment at such an early age and being able to work with her mother whom she has always felt extremely close to. In her personal time, Teresa takes pleasure in reading and being with her friends and family. She is very active in the local music scene and hopes to one day unite her love for music and social equality awareness to open the eyes of the younger generations.
Owen O'Sullivan, Work Intern - Special Events
Owen O’Sullivan was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1944. He joined the Capuchin Franciscan Order in 1961, and was ordained priest in 1970.
Since then he has served in New Zealand, Zambia, Madagascar and Ireland, working as a university and teacher-training-college chaplain, a missionary, in formation of young men for the Capuchin Order, in refugee relief and development work, and in parish ministry. His most recent assignment was in a parish in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
He also has written a weekly newspaper column, and has written books on religious, historical and linguistic matters. Currently, he is on sabbatical, and his particular interest is in men’s spirituality.
Mary Jo Picha, Work Internship Coordinator
Mary Jo joined the CAC in September 2000. Since
then she has held various roles at both the CAC and the guesthouse.
Mary Jo was born in Houston,
Texas. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor's
in Psychology and from the University of St. Thomas with a Master's
in Pastoral Studies. Mary Jo also completed an intensive
year-long CPE program at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
She believes her most intensive inner work began through grieving
and is suspicious that unresolved grief is at the root of most
interpersonal conflict. She appreciates everything that tends
us toward healing. She is married to Stephen Picha, the CAC
Director and also is mom to Grace Ann and Luke Jonah.
Stephen Picha, Director
Stephen joined the CAC in September
of 2000 to assist with the guesthouse and to coordinate the
Internship Program. In July of 2001, he was named Director
of the CAC. Stephen grew up in Waco, Texas—part
of a large Czech family. He graduated from Texas A&M
University and began teaching eighth graders in Conroe (north
of Houston). After five years of teaching, he entered
seminary to study philosophy and theology earning an MA from
St. Thomas University. Stephen enjoys growing on his spiritual
journey with his wife, Mary Jo, their daughter, Grace, and
son, Luke.
Cynthia Ranke, Production/Office Assistant
Cynthia came to the CAC as a
Work Intern in September, 2004, after early retirement from
the Genesee County, Michigan Prosecuting Attorney's office.
Her previous internship at Sojourners magazine in 1999–2000
was a life-changing experience, which inspired her to offer
her clerical and hospitality skills to the ministry of the
CAC. Upon completing her Work Internship assignment, she accepted
a position in the Resource Center, where she is involved in
Production and various assignments related to the ministry
of the Book Store. She feels her commitment to the Center
is a privileged opportunity to participate in work which has
profoundly influenced her life for many years. Also, she gets
to be in the New Mexico climate, where she can enjoy the sunshine
and outdoor activities, two of her favorite pastimes!

Raul was born in Mexico City and he moved to Albuquerque a couple of years ago. Albuquerque is a small city compared to Mexico, and he enjoys the tranquility of Albuquerque. He feels blessed to work at the CAC and help the center with the mission. Raul enjoys to play the guitar in his spare time, watch movies, play videogames.
Ken Reno, Director of Operations
Ken joined the staff in January of 2007 after spending several periods as a work intern in 2005 and 2006. His decision to become a staff member and move to Albuquerque after 30 years in the corporate world was supported by his wife of 35 years, Anna. They have two married sons with two grandchildren, and counting! Ken has recently been named the Director of Operations after serving his first two months as Resource Center Manager. He is looking forward to using his past experience in this role as he handles the day-to-day business of the Center.
Cece Shantzek, Conference Coordinator
Cece feels blessed and grateful to have found work so aligned with her heart and spirit in supporting the Center's mission of personal spiritual formation and non-violent social change. She comes to Albuquerque by way of Atlanta, where she enjoyed 6 years as an administrator at Atlanta Institute of Music. Originally from Miami, where she graduated from the Honors Program at Miami-Dade College and served as Communications and Publications Manager for Coconut Grove Playhouse, she is very happy to be back in a place where the sun shines almost all of the time! She loves music, hiking, yoga, reading, time with friends and family, most especially her partner Amme, their kiddo Sarah, and their golden retriever, Parker.
Doug Spence, Mustard Seed
Doug lives in Albuquerque and
is part of the team at the CAC Mustard Seed resource center.
He considers it very rewarding to help people find the specific
teaching of Fr. Richard that best addresses their needs. Previously
he was involved in community economic development and conservation
projects in rural northern New Mexico, Guatemala, and India.
Paul Swanson, Work Intern - Mustard Seed Resource Center
Paul Swanson hails from Minnesota. He is best known for his neighborhood fishing derby trophies and his awe-inspiring kickball prowess (an alum of the acclaimed Minneapolis-based kickball team – The Bloody Noses). A Protestant who has finished protesting, Paul has been inspired by the Catholic Mystics Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day to seek his own path of coupling action and contemplation in the way of Jesus. And although Paul has never shaken Bob Dylan’s hand, he would sure like to. Paul is currently enjoying the pleasant presence of the present tense.
This page last modified on
. Back to the Top
|