Director

Sr. Stella Maris was born to devout Roman Catholic parents in Imo State, Nigeria. The last and youngest of nine children, she joined the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus in 1981 and served in Owerri, Abuja and Idah in Nigeria before coming to the United States. In the United States, she has worked in Florida, California and Alabama in several areas: teaching, Parish/pastoral ministry. Sister Stella earned a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree from Jesuit School of Theology, Santa Clara University, California in 2009. Sister currently serves as English/Religion/Social Studies teacher at Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Tuskegee, Alabama. She is also an Alabama 4-H Teacher Volunteer.

Sr. Stella Maris’ family background helped her to believe that “only the love of God urges us on” Her deep love of the Holy Eucharist informs her love of the poor and her sense of social justice. She is especially devoted to the spiritual and academic growth and well being of all children and projects that help to the poor in various African countries whose natural wealth has been shared among only a few.

Sr. Stella Maris brings to the order her love for people, her ability to work with people no matter their age, social status or religious affiliation.