The Staff at La Vista
Onsite Staff
Maxine Pohlman, SSND
Program Director
Maxine, a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, taught for 26 years in Catholic grade and high schools along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. In 2004, after a sabbatical at Genesis Farm, she received a certificate in "Ecology and the Human Spirit." In 2005 she began working at La Vista Ecological Learning Center where she directs and leads programs and edits La Vista Visions Newsletter.
She enjoys working high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, surrounded by 255 acres of oak and hickory forests, pastures, sinkholes and wildlife. La Vista has provided an opportunity for her to educate others on topics close to her heart; namely, eco-spirituality, the integrity of creation, the Universe Story and the new cosmology.
Mary Jo Jacobs
Administrative Assistant
Mary Jo joined the La Vista staff in 2006 following over 30 years as a science educator and school administrator. During her teaching career, Mary Jo became involved in the Rivers' Project, an environmental program developed at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. This program engaged high school students throughout southern Illinois in studying the Mississippi River water from the Wisconsin border to the southern tip of Illinois. As an elementary school principal, she continued to foster environmental programs including PC Wet, an eight grade project studying local water.
In addition to her commitment to promote environmental ideals, she brings computer, writing, creative, and graphic skills to her role of administrative assistant at La Vista. Mary Jo and her husband Tony have six grown children and reside in Godfrey, Illinois.
Off-Site Oblate Staff
Séamus Finn, OMI
Administrator and Presenter
Séamus has directed the US Oblate Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Office since its inception and has been active in JPIC ministry at various levels for over 25 years. His work includes overseeing the ministry at La Vista Ecological Learning Center where he has been a presenter during the annual "Exploring the Sacred Universe" program each summer. He represents the Missionary Oblates on the boards of directors of a number of organizations supported by the Oblates both in the U.S. and internationally.
Visiting many of the places where Oblates work, Séamus tries to explore ways in which the office can be supportive of their efforts through addressing public policy issues and public officials and through the work of the office with corporations. He is a leader in faith-based socially responsible investing, and is active with the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility.
Norm Comtois, OMI
Retreat Director and Presenter
Norman is a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, living in Lowell, Massachusetts. He has traveled to La Vista Ecological Learning Center each August since 2002 to serve as a team member of our "Exploring the Sacred Universe" Earth Literacy Program.
As a pastoral counselor, Norm has spent many years guiding individuals to a deeper meaning of life through the use of dreams and imagination. Norman also directs retreats inviting people to enter the universe story with awe and wonder and to celebrate it in all its beauty. He is presently a staff member at Berakah, a renewal program for women religious in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. There he serves as spiritual director, pastoral counselor, and teacher of the New Cosmology.
Norman translates the vision of the Oblate Ecological Initiative into the local New England area. You can read about this ministry here.
Jack Lau, OMI
Retreat Director and Chef
Jack has been the principal chef at the Oblate Ecological Initiative's Earth Literacy Program each August where every meal is not only tasty but a work of art. He is mindful of the food from its growth in the gardens, to the kitchen preparation, and on to its table presentation!
Currently, Jack is Director of Spiritual Services at Galilee Centre in Arnprior, Ontario, Canada which is located in the Hudson River Valley bioregion. Jack is a graduate of both the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY, and the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, TX. He is a registered yoga teacher. The combination of these diverse fields of study and practice has brought light to a holistic approach to ministry and life.
Charlie Gilbert, OMI
Assistant Chef
Charlie entered religious life in 1964 and cooked his first Thanksgiving dinner for the community. After just one year of formal training, he began his life-long involvement in food service.
Charlie has been working in Lowell, MA, as the Director and Superior of a Retirement Residence. Since the residence is in the heart of downtown Lowell, they don't have land for a garden; however, Charlie has a container garden on a roof-deck with tomatoes, herbs, greens, and sun-loving flowers! Because the Residence is just a block from the Merrimack River that flows from the mountains of New Hampshire to the Atlantic Ocean, he enjoys a very rich and diversified Bioregion.
