We are deeply grateful to all who attended our October 29 Healing Together: Navigating Election Trauma with Compassion and Hope event. Presented by the Justice, Peace, and Sustainability office, this nonpartisan workshop offered practical, enjoyable methods for managing stress and anxiety. As we continue to navigate the challenges and complexities of this election and beyond, we hope the tools, discussions, and practices we explored together will support you and your communities in nurturing peace and resilience.
Our presenters shared valuable tips and strategies to help you cope with preelection stress, past trauma or personal struggles. Learn effective ways to communicate with family and others on divisive topics to foster community and preserve important relationships. We hope these resources help sustain the compassionate spirit we cultivated during our time together. Please contact Jennifer Shankie, jshankie@ihmsisters.org, if you have questions or if there is anything else we can provide to support your journey.
- October 29 program
- Healing Together presentation– Andie Celerio, LCPCand Athanasia Papaioannou, MA, PCP, ACC
- Healing Together presentation– Barbara Paleczny, PhD, SThD
- Election prayer
- Infographic bubbles
- Tapping worksheet
- Feelings wheel
- Negative emotions worksheet
- The Vegas nerve
- Feelings wheel infographic
Meet the presenters
Andie Celerio earned her M.Ed. in Human Services and Counseling from DePaul University in 2004 and is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. With over 15 years of experience as a legal advocate for survivors of sexual assault, abuse, harassment, domestic violence, and stalking, she has transitioned her wealth of knowledge and compassion into her work as a private practice therapist.
Barbara Paleczny, a Canadian School Sister of Notre Dame, PhD/SThD, was taught by two great IHM Sisters: Margaret Brennan, PhD, and Mary Ellen Sheehan, PhD, at the Toronto School of Theology. She treasures a close friendship with Annette St. Amour IHM since they lived together in South Sudan and gave Healing Stress/Trauma workshops. Before that, Barbara also lived in San Antonio, Texas, for ten years, teaching at the university and establishing the South Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking. An educator, author, and artist, Barbara is deeply concerned that we learn to listen longer to each other and speak courageously and respectfully to make our common home a healthy community for all.
Athanasia Papaioannou, MA, PCP, ACC, is a certified professional coach with over 15 years of experience in higher education, where she promoted leadership and equity for women and provided trauma-informed support to survivors of interpersonal violence. Athanasia specializes in helping individuals navigate life transitions with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Her approach fosters self-reflection, growth, and intentional action, empowering clients to overcome obstacles and achieve meaningful transformation.
Annette St-Amour, IHM, served in South Africa for 28 years. During the first 10 years under the Apartheid Government, Annette ministered to the people living in a black township where they experienced much violence and stress in their daily lives until the long-awaited election of Nelson Mandela.
She also ministered in South Sudan for 5 ½ years, where most of the people in the country were traumatized from 21 years of war with Sudan in the North and were living through a new time of conflict and trauma in their newly independent nation of South Sudan.
There, she had the opportunity to learn, put into practice and train others in the Capacitar Trauma Healing Exercises. She and Barbara Paleczny and others offered workshops nationwide and trained other leaders in this popular education method.