Fr. Mike was ordained as a priest in 2011.  He has a degree in humanities from Salamanca, Spain, a licentiate in philosophy and a STB in theology from the Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum.  He finished further studies in theology at Holy Apostles College in Connecticut and in spiritual accompaniment at the University of Francisco de Victoria in Madrid, Spain. He has led dozens of retreats, spiritual exercises and provided spiritual guidance to many.   His books include I Saw His Face and a forthcoming book, A Time for Apostles.  

As a spiritual guide, Fr. Mike walks with those that wish to go deeper in their faith and climb higher up the mountain of God.  He also helps with vocational discernment both for the priesthood and for religious life.

 


To request guidance from Fr. Mike, contact him here.
 

Craig Bischoff was born in Scottsburg, Indiana and raised in Atlanta. He served in the US Navy from 1990-1994, and traveled to Europe, Africa, and South America. Following the Navy, Craig graduated from Georgia Tech and Emory University. In 1999, Craig was received into the Catholic Church at the Cathedral of Christ the King.  Craig has two children and two grandchildren, and survives his lovely late wife, Michelle.
 
Craig has been a parishioner of St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville since 2013.  In 2018, Craig completed the Lay Ministry Formation Program with the Diocese of Charlotte.  In 2020, Craig completed his coursework for the Spiritual Direction Certificate Program at Divine Mercy University, and is currently in practicum. Craig has been providing spiritual guidance since 2017. 

As a spiritual guide, Craig serves men who wish to grow deeper in the prayer life, understanding of the faith, as well as to grow in their roles as husbands and fathers. 

To request guidance from Craig, contact him here.

Patricia has been a parishioner of St. Gabriel for 20 years.  She grew up in Philadelphia and married her husband Bill in 1965. They have 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

She has a BA in Sociology from the University of South Carolina. In 2014, Patricia entered the 2-year program at Our Lady of Divine Providence School (OLDP) of Spiritual Direction in Clearwater, FL. This program is associated with Franciscan University of Steubenville and is a combination of academic study and personal healing.  In 2016, after completing the program, Patricia received her certification as a spiritual guide.

As part of her continuing education, Patricia attends graduate seminars given by OLDP twice a year and participates in the mentoring program for student-directors during their practicum.

As a spiritual guide, Patricia serves women with whom she meets as a companion on their journey of faith, encouraging them in their prayer life and helping them to see how God has been present and active in their lives.

To request guidance from Patricia, contact her here.

Ashley is a Charlotte native and became a St. Gabriel's parishioner in 2020. Her unusual high school career led her through Charlotte Catholic HS, homeschooling, and a boarding school in New England for young women who want to jump-start vocational discernment to lay consecrated life. During her time of formal discernment after high school, Ashley completed 2 years of a BA in Religious and Pastoral Studies. However, God called her back to Charlotte to discern religious life more broadly, and she completed a BA in Psychology from Belmont Abbey College. God then nudged her in a different direction vocationally, and she married her husband Thomas in October, 2019. 

As the oldest of 5 children, Ashley found herself in many natural mentoring positions growing up, and these opportunities only multiplied as she attended, led, and even founded a variety of girls' virtue clubs, retreats, and bible studies for young women. As God placed more and more women on her path with questions about the spiritual life and vocational discernment, Ashley felt called to receive formal training in spiritual direction. She has completed 4 of 6 eight-week intensive courses in the Spiritual Direction Certification Program through Divine Mercy University, and has begun her practicum. 

As a spiritual guide, Ashley accompanies young women who wish to go deeper in their life of prayer, as well as those who may be in a moment of discernment. Ashley can help them discover the Holy Spirit's action in their hearts and daily lives, and explore vocational discernment to consecrated and religious life, as well as the call to marriage.
 

To request spiritual guidance from Ashley Olik,
contact her here.

Deacon Larry O’Toole has been active in ordained ministry for over 25 years.  He was born and raised in the South Bronx, NY and has been married to his wife Judy for 57 years.  They have 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren. He originally served in the Archdiocese of New York before moving to Charlotte in 2010.  

Deacon Larry studied at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers where he received diaconate ordination in 1996.  He was appointed by Cardinal O’Connor to the chaplaincy of the New York Medical College.  He also worked as a Victim’s Assistance Coordinator for the archdiocese and as a formation facilitator for the diaconate program. 

He continued his studies at the Archdiocese of New York School of Spirituality and Psychology, a certificate program led by Fr. Benedict Groschel OFM, and Dr. Annmarie Wallace.  He studied as well at the Institute for Preaching and Liturgy of the Archdiocese of NY, the Fordham University Pastoral Care Program and the Harvard Medical School’s Spirituality in Medicine Program.

Deacon Larry served as a deacon at St. Gabriel parish for over ten years and since January 2023 now serves at St. Luke Parish
in Mint Hill.

As a spiritual guide, Deacon Larry walks with those that wish to go deeper in their faith and experience God in their prayer.  He brings a wealth of experience from many years of pastoral ministry, and often helps with marriage and family topics.   
 

To request spiritual guidance from Deacon Larry, contact him here.

Judy O’Toole has been a parishioner of St. Luke in Mint Hill since 2023. She and her husband, Deacon Larry, have three daughters and five grandchildren. 

Judy attended the School of Spirituality and Psychology of the Archdiocese of New York led by Fr. Benedict Groschel and Dr. Annmarie Wallace.  In the late 70’s she attended the Spiritual Development program in the Diocese of Houston Texas.
She also was in the Diaconate Formation Program for candidates and wives at St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York.

As a trained mediator for the 9th Judicial District of New York, she did private mediations and also served in small claims court. This fulfilled her desire to bring peaceful solutions to problems within the community.

Through contemplative studies, retreats and training for over 30 years, Judy brings an appreciation of silence and holy listening in her spiritual guidance for one’s search for God.



To request spiritual guidance from Judy O'Toole, email her here