Barbara Paleczny SSND

Educator

Although not exactly chronologicaI in order to group similar ministries, this is what I have been doing for the last fifty-plus years. I love teaching. I taught in elementary and high schools in Caledonia, Welland, Hamilton, Elora (also  principal), Waterdown, Ontario, Canada, as well as in Lingfield, Surrey, England. My community leaders encouraged me through these many moves, saying that, since I was so flexible, they could call on me to fill positions. I learned to adapt quickly and creatively.

​In San Antonio, Texas, USA, I taught in Universities and was coordinator of SSND Shalom Network for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation for our Dallas Unit (Arizona, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi). 

​This extensive experience helped me immensely to adapt when I was Pastoral Associate in parishes in Waterloo, Ontario and La Paz, Bolivia, and when I was Chaplain in St. Jean de Brebeuf High School in Hamilton (the first non-ordained chaplain in Ontario).

​All this laid a firm foundation to become immersed in yet another culture and continent, Africa. I was an Instructor -- called a Tutor there -- and Principal in Solidarity Teacher Training Colleges in remote areas of South Sudan. . . and supported SOuth Sudanese to take over the leadership.

I also gave Healing from Stress and Trauma Workshops throughout South Sudan and taught people to lead "Train the Trainers Workshops" to prepare others to lead  workshops for tens of thousands. 

Leadership Formation
and Coalition Building

Enabling people to become leaders and to work in solidarity characterize my way of educating. I collaborate with others to  enable people to fulfil their potential so that they can do the same for others. This is our SSND emphasis as educators.

​St. Michael's Parish, Waterloo, 1975 - 1978: I initiated and co-led a School for Lay Leadership in Spirituality and Social Justice. This eventually became an established program at Loyola Retreat Centre in Guelph, Ontario.

Enabling Leadership in Solidarity Teacher Training Colleges in remote areas of South Sudan, 2008 -2020

My first love in South Sudan was Malakal Solidarity Teacher Training College … until we had to evacuate because of the severe battles (end of 2013 - early 2014).

After teaching in Rumbek and Agok/Abyei Solidarity Teachers' Colleges, I moved to the pedestrian village in Jonglei State, to lead Old Fangak Solidarity Teacher Training College, north of the world's largest swamp, the SUDD.  

Teachers walked for a day or more during all vacation times over five years to obtain a National Primary Teachers' Certificate. 

As principal, I worked with the instructors and taught Christian Religious Education courses.

In Bor Solidarity Teacher Training College, Jonglei State, instructors  eventually became the Principal, Treasurer, Attendance Officer ... assuming all leadership roles. 

I continued to guide them as Director.

Education

As an educator, I worked and studied all my life. Although extensive, my studies in Spirituality and Healing  are not accredited.

2000 - Doctorate in Sacred Theology (SThD) in Systematic Theology. Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, Toronto, Ontario. 

​1994 - PhD in Theological Ethics.  St. Michael's College, Toronto School of Theology, Toronto, Ontario. 

1989 - Master of Divinity.  Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, Toronto, Ontario.  

1972 - Master of Arts.  Assumption University, Windsor, Ontario.

1971- Bachelor of Arts, St. Jerome's University, Waterloo, Ontario. (As I taught and studied, it took me 8 years to complete my BA.)

1970 - Certificate in Theology and Catechetics.  Corpus Christi College, London, England.

​1963- Elementary School Teachers' Certificate.  Hamilton Teachers' College, Hamilton, Ontario.

​St. Mary's High School, Kitchener and elementary schools in Toronto, Hamilton and Waterloo, Ontario.

Manuscript accepted by publisher. Her Tears are My Tears: Healing Unconscious Roots of Violence Against Women. Los Angeles, California, Lilac Grove Group, publication pending

Foundation Lessons in English and Mathematics of Early Childhood and Learners of All Ages. Juba, South Sudan, self-published, printed by Universal Press, 2019. Art work: Gerald Kabuye, Mothering Across Continents. Lesson Plans: Barbara Paleczny, Solidarity with South Sudan

Psychosocial Support: A Journey of Healing from Trauma and the Capacitar Emergency Took Kit. Juba, South Sudan, self-published, 2015, 2016, revised 2017 (16,000 copies)

Surprising Daughters of Hope: Power of Images and Symbols for Transformation. Manila, Philippines, Claretian Press, 2011

Clothed in Integrity: Weaving Just Cultural Relations and the Garment Industry. Waterloo, Ontario, Wilfrid Laurier Press, 2000. Part of the Studies in Women and Religion series

From the Double Day to the Endless Day: A Conference on Homeworking, Union, Community Activists and Researchers. Toronto, UNITE: International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union Press, November 13-15, 1992

Co-authored with Michel Cote OP. Becoming Followers of Jesus: A People’s Approach to Holistic Spirituality. Burlington, Ontario, Trinity Press, 1983. Books for facilitators and participants. Three-year program with weekly articles, ideas for daily prayer, and regular meetings for groups such as Christian Life Communities. No Longer Available

Growing Together in Christ. Waterloo, Ontario, self-published, printed by St. Jerome’s University Press, 1980. Marketed and distributed on five continents. No Longer Available

With team members of Solidarity with South Sudan:

Authored Christian Religious Education text books for Solidarity Teacher Training Colleges in South Sudan, 2009-19. Edited/formatted text books of other subjects

Co-authored Advent-Christmas-Epiphany and Lent-Easter-Pentecost booklets with Solidarity Pastoral Team for parishes throughout South Sudan, 2015-19