Meet the Team
Jerry and Donna Kristian
met during the formation and founding of a post-secondary catholic school of faith and mission in Bruno, Saskatchewan. Married in 2008 they have since become partners in the implementation and facilitation of the triumph program. Together they are the parents of five and the grand parents of eleven. When not working or spoiling their grand-children they enjoy travelling and meeting the people and cultures of the world.
Jerry was born in Prudhomme, SK. After leaving high school Jerry embarked on a two-year trip hitch-hiking around the world. He owned and operated various food operations throughout western Canada, as well as apartment units, a hotel, and heavy equipment business in Saskatoon. One of the founders of St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission, he held the roles of Board Chair and Executive Director of the Institute. In 1978, he experienced a renewed relationship with God and a call to service in the intercessory prayer and healing ministry. With a profound love of God’s people, he remains faithful to this call.
Donna was born in Loon Lake SK, and raised in several communities across western Canada in a family of seven. Her love of the Church and preparation for ministry led her to study theology. In addition to having served as the Director of Healing and Growth at St. Therese Institute, her thirty years of ministerial experience includes parish and diocesan ministry, as well as, teaching the Introduction course to the Old and New Testament Studies, and Ignatian Discernment at STI. She has a BA in Christianity and Culture from St. Michaels’s College, University of Toronto and a Masters Degree in Ministry and Spirituality from Regis College; Toronto School of Theology; University of Toronto.
Harriet Paul
grew up on a dairy farm in Northern Alberta. After graduating from the University of Calgary with a degree in Social Work in 1980 she continued on to complete a Masters in Clinical Social Work in 1988 while working in both inpatient and outpatient mental health at the Holy Cross Hospital. Her focus was group and individual therapy. As Harriet’s family increased her work hours decreased. In 2004 her family adopted a sibling group of 4 children. Always active in parish life, she has helped coordinate numerous youth programs for and with her children. An active member of St. Peter’s Parish in Calgary, she is currently involved in establishing and facilitating the Journeying Through Grief Program. Harriet & her husband John live in Calgary. They have 8 children and 11 grandchildren.
Fr. Denis Phaneuf
has been a priest for over 50 years in the Diocese of Saskatoon. Although currently retired, he continues to actively serve the diocese by regularly assisting at St. Paul Co-Cathedral in Saskatoon as well as traveling throughout the diocese serving where he is needed. We are happy to say that this includes serving as Chaplain to the Triumph Retreat. He is a member of the Marian Movement of Priests. He served on the International Fraternity of the Catholic Charismatic Communities under the direction of the the Vatican Council of the Laity.
Bergit Pulvermacher
was born and raised on a grain farm near Hythe, Alberta. She completed her university at the U of S, receiving degrees in Science and Veterinary Medicine. As a convert to the Catholic faith, her journey with the Lord began in earnest when she met and married her husband Kevin. They have two boys, both home schooled. Bergit is thankful that the Lord keeps opening new doors of opportunity for her to grow in her faith. She completed the Spiritual Direction Program at Queen’s House, Saskatoon and is a Certified Spiritual Director. Travel and learning to speak a new language are now part of her broadening horizon.
Sr. Gemma Labestre, MST
Currently, she is a Council member of the Missionaries of St. Therese and an Associate Professor at the University of San Agustin, Philippines. She is an active member of the Psychological Association of the Philippines and the Triumph Team.
Her gifts as a retreat facilitator coupled with her academic training and degree make her available to do Retreat giving, give Psychological assessment, do therapeutic counseling that bring her to different places within and outside the Philippines.
She has a Bachelor in Science degree in Psychology, A Master in Education in Guidance and Counseling and a Doctorate Degree in Philosophy specializing in Psychology.
Daniel Taylor
grew up in Toronto ON, with 4 four brothers and three sisters. After volunteering with NET ministries for two years he moved Saskatoon to serve in PureWitness Ministries, and met his wife, Rita. They Married in 2016 and grew together in their faith and healing journey which eventually led them to the TRIUMPH retreat. Daniel has a background in personal training, which was his way of working as an instrument of healing for people, through their physical experience. Being a part of the triumph retreat has progressed that desire for helping people on their journey into a spiritual healing.
Rita Taylor
grew up on a farm near Bellevue, SK. She was blessed with a great gift of faith from as young as she can remember and learnt to cling tightly to it as a means of keeping her grounded in various times of struggle. The Saints and their stories played a particularly important role in helping her find courage and to persevere.
Having experienced so much joy and freedom from healing, and deeply desiring to help others in the same way, she complete a Master of Psychology at Divine Mercy University in Virginia. She is now actively helping others find healing and personal growth in their own lives as a life-coach and as amember of the 'triumph' team.
Sheila Grant
was born in Unity, Saskatchewan, and raised on a farm. At the age of 15, she met Leonard Grant, whom she married four years later. They have two sons and a daughter (all married) and a little angel in heaven. and are the proud grandparents of seven grand-children. Sheila enjoys volunteering in and around the Unity Community, and especially in her parish. “I love being a grandmother, painting, gardening, going for walks, traveling, reading, spending time with God and being there for anyone who may need help along the way. Sheila has recently completed the Spiritual Direction Course at Queen's House in Saskatoon and is a Certified Spiritual Director.
Luke Hergott
was born and raised on a grain farm 3 miles west of Bruno and is the oldest of 3 children. He completed a Bachelors of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan and now works for EY, a global public accounting firm. He is currently pursuing the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. Throughout his time at the U of S, Luke was heavily involved with Catholic Christian Outreach. Some of his highlights include being the president of the student exec and spending a summer on mission in Victoria, BC. Since transitioning from campus to the working world, he has been looking for new opportunities to serve the Church and is honoured to be part of the Triumph team.
Carolyn Crittenden
was born in Broadview, SK, and raised Lutheran on a mixed farm with 4 brothers and 1 sister. After losing her husband in a car accident, she studied cosmetology as a means of supporting her 2 children. One evening while attending a prayer cenacle, she felt called to become Catholic. While completing the RCIA program, she joined an intercessory prayer group which opened her heart to the power of prayer. She completed the 2-year Spiritual Direction program at Queen's House, Saskatoon and is a certified Spiritual Director.