Since 1992, Sr. Jane Bigelow has been a staff member of Emmaus House. Located in Ocean Grove, N.J., this is a holistic center providing comprehensive care for religious women suffering from the unmanageability of life. The program is unique in content and design. The psychological assessment which is provided helps fine-tune each individual program. This is a solution-based therapeutic community ministering to ministers. Over the years, its service has been expanded to include a larger population of women religious wishing to enjoy quiet prayer and relaxation in a house just one block from the beach.

Founded in 1983 by Sr. Patricia Mary Walsh, O.P., Emmaus House celebrated 25 years of service to women religious last March. Since its inception, it has served more than 2,000 women religious from every continent except Antarctica, and remains the only facility in the world serving only women religious.

Sr. Jane is one of the 23 staff members who pray and work together as a supportive community. Sr. Jane serves as a Licensed Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). She ministers to those suffering from eating disorders and conducts weekly education sessions on various topics. Besides all this, Sr. Jane has directed retreats and continues to be an active participant in her SHCJ membership group which meets in the Philadelphia area.

Sr. Jane brings to her special apostolate a rich background: 21 years of classroom teaching in the Philadelphia area and Portland, Ore.; eight years as principal of schools in Portland, Ore., Summit, N.J., and Washington, D.C.; and four years as a member of the Educational Development Team in Boston, Mass.

Regarding her current role as healing educator, Sr. Jane says, “Accompanying women on their journey to finding new life, freedom, and a closer connection with their God is a great joy. I am grateful to the Society for the support they have given to me and to this apostolate.”