Ann Naffziger, M.Div., M.A. (she/her/hers)

I have a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology and a Masters in Biblical Languages from the Graduate Theological Union, both in Berkeley, California. The pastoral work I find most fulfilling work is doing spiritual direction, leading retreats and faith-sharing groups, and teaching classes on prayer and scripture. I have worked as a hospital chaplain and in parish ministry, taught scripture classes, and led the catechumenate program. I was a field education supervisor for MDiv students at the Jesuit School for four years. Currently, I help my husband run The Pastoral Center, a small pastoral publishing nonprofit based in Alameda, California. We have two teenage daughters. In my free time, I like to grow food and teach others to grow food, bicycle, cook and bake, coach softball, and make meaningful connections in our neighborhood.

A Short Biography

I grew up in South Bend, Indiana, and discovered the Jesuits and Ignatian Spirituality during my fantastic four years at St. Louis University. From there I joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps where I spent two years as a volunteer in Woodburn, Oregon. I was deeply formed by JVC’s four values: community, social justice, spirituality, and simplicity; they still inform how I live today. Later, I worked for JVC:Northwest before pursuing theological studies at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. I graduated with a Master of Divinity (2002) and a Master of Arts in Biblical Languages (2003). While at the Jesuit School I did my spiritual direction training under George Murphy, SJ, and Jane Ferdon, OP, and later attended their advanced training in the summer of 2024.

After graduation, I did a year-long Clinical Pastoral Education residency at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center where I continued to work as a hospital chaplain for several years. Since then, I have worked in various parish ministry positions, supervised field education students the Jesuit School of Theology, and wrote a scripture column for BustedHalo.com.

I am the Associate Director of The Pastoral Center, a small pastoral publishing nonprofit which my husband Paul Canavese and I direct. My work responsibilities include editing and writing new content for resources such as lectionary commentaries, Advent and Lenten prayer booklets, Stations of the Cross, baptismal preparation, and parent group discussions. My book The Catholic Way, a leader guide for directors of Christian initiation (OCIA) and adult faith formation, was published in 2018.

My current pastoral work includes seeing clients for individual spiritual direction—including those making the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius—facilitating prayer and faith-sharing groups, leading retreats, and teaching various series on prayer, discernment, and/or scripture for Catholic and Protestant churches (in-person and and virtually).

Outside of work, I enjoy parenting our almost-grown daughters (one in college and one in high school), coaching softball, growing food and helping others to grow food, reading, bicycling along the San Francisco Bay, and hiking.