First Posted: 10/6/2014
The Ethics Institute of Northeastern Pennsylvania at Misericordia University will recognize Christine Somers, of Dallas Twp., D.Min., M.S.W., director of Campus Ministry, with the 2014 Sister Siena Finley, RSM Ethics Award at the 23rd annual Ethics Institute Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 30 at the Henry Student Center, Ballroom, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre.
Tickets for the dinner are $40 per person and can be purchased by calling 570-674-6201. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will follow at 6:15 p.m. The money raised from the dinner and program help to support programming by the Ethics Institute.
Somers holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from Marywood University, Scranton and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from The Graduate Theological Foundation, Mishawaka, Indiana. She also has a certificate in spiritual direction from The University of Scranton’s Contemporary Spirituality Institute. At Misericordia University, she teaches several service-learning courses that take students to Guyana and Jamaica to perform service.
A native of Scranton, Somers oversees programs and ministries that originate out of Campus Ministry at Misericordia University, such as spiritual and service programs, social justice initiatives, community outreach, international service trips, liturgy, pastoral counseling, and spiritual direction. She also coordinates spring break service trips that take students on missions to underserved populations across the country.
Prior to joining the staff at Misericordia University, Somers worked in the social service field at Lourdesmont Family Services, Clarks Summit; Catherine McAuley House, Scranton, and at the Scranton Counseling Center where she served as a home-based family therapist. Upon completion of her master’s degree and licensure, she joined Advanced Community Service Associates, Scranton, as an outpatient and family therapist.
In the Diocese of Scranton, Somers was involved in the early stages of Young Adult Ministry and later worked at youth and young adult retreats and women’s retreats at Fatima Center, Dalton. During that time, she accompanied many youth and young adults from the Diocese to Belgium, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Haiti, Israel and Italy on World Youth Day pilgrimages and service trips.
Somers served on the board of directors of the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen and the Peace and Justice Center, both of Wilkes-Barre, and has been a Mercy Associate for 10 years.
