About Edwina Gateley

I do not need to seek God.
God is already here
waiting to be found,
soaked in my reality.
My journey is to be one
of recognizing God, always.
already present,
and surfacing that presence
in my daily life.

--From A Mystical Heart

Brief Biography

Born in Lancaster, England, Edwina Gateley's educational experiences have awarded her a Teacher's Degree from England, a Masters in Theology from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and certification as an HIV counselor in the State of Illinois.

From 1981 to 1982, Edwina lived for nine months in prayer and solitude in a hermitage in Illinois. In 1983, she spent over a year on the streets of Chicago, walking with the homeless and women involved in prostitution. Within these two experiences, were the seeds of her ministry that would be realized in 1983 when she founded a house of hospitality and nuturing for women involved in prostitution.

Edwina's work and ministry have been publicly commended by numerous groups and individuals, including the Governor of the State of Illinois, the Mayor of Chicago, the late Cardinal Joseph Bernadin, and the former President of the United States, Bill Clinton. She has been featured on CBS's "60 Minutes" and on "48 Hours".

Edwina is currently writing, leading retreats for homeless women as well as for women in recovery from prostitution.

Edwina continues to give talks and retreats internationally. She is available to speak of her faith journey, and her struggles to be faithful to her call to urban ministry and mission. She also speaks on Transformation, Justice, Mission, Women in the Scriptures, Mysticism, Prayer and Spirituality.

Other Ministry Experiences

1979--Three Months retreat in the Sahara Desert, North Africa

1969--Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM) founded by Edwina in England to recruit, prepare and send missionaries to work in countries of the developing world. The VMM, with centers in England, Ireland, Scotland and the United States has sent over 1700 missionaries to serve in cross-cultural missions--mainly in Africa, Papua New Guinea, Central and North America. By 1976, Edwina initiated the idea and development of lay community within the Volunteer Missionary Movement.

1964-1968--Working in Uganda, East Africa as a teacher and lay missionary, Edwina established a school for Ugandan girls which became the largest and most successful in the area. This experience offered her the opportunity to live closely with the people as she shared their culture and way of life.

Awards

Catholic Library Association: Aggiornamento Award 2005.(PA)

Bishop Ketteler Award, 2005.(PA)

Call to Action National Leadership Award, USA, 1998

Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa), Rosemont College, PA, 1998

Citation: County of Erie, PA, 1998

Oscar Romero Award, Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA 1998

Loretto Award, St. Louis, MO, 1995

Clare Award: For a woman exemplifying the virtues of St. Clare of Assisi, Clinton, IA 1993

Pope John XXIII Award: Viterbo College, La Crosse, WI 1988

Chicago Commission of Human Relations Award: Illinois, USA, 1987

United States Catholic Mission Association Award: Illinois, 1986

Cook County States Attorney Recognition Award: For service to women and children, Chicago, IL, 1986

Association of Chicago Priests Award: Chicago, IL, 1986

Spirit of St. Francis Award: For outstanding Catholic laywoman in the State of Illinois, 1984

Catholic Woman of the Year: England and Wales, 1979

©  2008 by Edwina Gateley.  All rights reserved.

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Last modified June 2008