Eileen W. Novotny

Eileen serves on the Council because it provides opportunities for YSU students, faculty and staff to be active in their faith and grow and deepen their relationship with God, and be of service to others.  On a personal note, the Newman Center has had a profound influence in her life because it is where she met her husband, Ray.  Eileen has always been active in her parish as a volunteer and decided to get a Master's in Theology in order to serve as either a Parish Director of Education or Pastoral Associate in other parishes. In 1995, she was hired by the Diocese to establish a Lay Ministry Formation Program which she led for a decade before returning to John Carroll for her certification from the Ignatian Spirituality Institute.  She now offers Spiritual Direction through the Ursuline Center and, along with her husband, is an Associate of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown. She is blessed to have three married children and five, wonderful, fun, delightful, grandchildren.