October Panel Discussion on the Virtue of Patience

Ivonne Heath is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach with a passion for empowering Catholic women to discover the profound connection between faith and health. As a devoted mother of two, Ivonne's journey into health coaching stemmed from her desire to enhance the well-being of families through holistic approaches.

Having received her training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) in New York City, Ivonne is equipped with comprehensive knowledge in nutrition, health, and wellness, coupled with specialized coaching skills. She dedicates her expertise to leading workshops on nutrition and well-being, offering group health and nutrition coaching tailored specifically to women and teens as well as 1:1 coaching. Fluent in Spanish, Ivonne extends her coaching services to Spanish-speaking communities.

In addition to her coaching endeavors, Ivonne shares her insights and expertise through various media platforms. Since December 2023, she has been a monthly guest on Mater Dei Radio, providing invaluable health tips to listeners. Furthermore, she was recently featured on the Spanish podcast "Mindset for Catholic Moms" in April 2024.

Ivonne aims to inspire and empower Catholic women to prioritize their health and deepen their spiritual journey.

Sister Mary Kolbe Heffern is a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist currently living in Bridal Veil, Oregon. She grew up in Houston, Texas, and graduated from the University of St. Thomas in Houston with a double major in Spanish and Catholic Studies in 2010. After graduation, she entered formation with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and lived at their motherhouse in Meriden, Connecticut. During her years of formation in religious life, she developed her Franciscan spirituality by working on the land at the Motherhouse and caring for the chickens and vegetable garden. She professed Perpetual Vows as a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist in August 2020.

As part of her apostolate during that time, Sister Mary Kolbe taught elementary and middle school Spanish and Religion at parochial schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford. Sister also worked in the Archdiocese of Hartford Catholic School Office as the Director of Mission Formation. She later returned to the classroom as a 4th Grade teacher at a parochial school. She completed her Master of Arts in Theology at Holy Apostles in Cromwell, Connecticut and earned a certificate in Catholic School Leadership through Creighton University. In 2021, she received an Elementary Diploma through the Association Montessori Internationale at the Montessori Training Center Northeast in Hartford, Connecticut. After completing her Montessori diploma, she taught children ages six-twelve at a Catholic Montessori school in the Washington, DC area. She has completed the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation for working with children ages three to six and six to nine. Sister Mary Kolbe is currently an upper elementary guide (teacher) of children ages nine to twelve at her Community's school, the Franciscan Montessori Earth School, located in Southeast Portland. Sister also supports her Community through outreach and evangelization and by helping to care for land and animals at the Bridal Veil Center.

Elias Moo is the new Director of Catholic Education in the newly formed Office for the Mission of Catholic Education. Elias is nationally recognized as a visionary leader in the realignment of Catholic education with the mind and heart of the Church and our rich educational heritage.

Elias and his family are relocating to Portland from Denver. He started in January 2024.