Mary Schaffner

Mary Schaffner, born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been married to John Schaffner for 44 years. Together they raised five children and now also enjoy 11 grandchildren. Mary attended Indiana University, where she studied accounting, and subsequently worked as a CPA for the then Arthur Young Accounting Firm.

In order to spend more time with her growing family, Mary stepped out of public accounting to work part time as an accountant at the Catholic Parish of which they were members. At the invitation to substitute teach in the junior high religion class at the parish school, Mary stepped into the classroom and took an interest in theology and spirituality. Subsequently, she transitioned into ministry. As her children grew older, Mary went back to school and received her Master of Theological Studies degree from St. Meinrad School of Theology as well as a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats from Creighton University.

From there, Mary continued in ministry, holding various positions within the Catholic Church for over 35 years. She served as a Parish Life Coordinator at St. Agnes Parish in Nashville, Indiana, and the Associate Director of Spirituality Ministries at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House where she offered spiritual direction, the Ignatian Exercises, and various opportunities for retreats. Mary also ministered as a religion teacher, high school campus minister, young adult minister, director of religious education, pastoral associate, and most importantly throughout it all, she experienced encountering God’s grace in her own and others' lives. Mary is currently self-employed, serving as a spiritual director and retreat leader in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.