Shanon M. Sterringer Papers, 2007-2025
Biographical Note:
Dr. Shanon Marie Sterringer (b.1972) is a cradle Catholic who served for many years in parish ministry in the Diocese of Cleveland while earning five theology degrees, including Doctor of Philosophy. In 2019 she sought and received priestly ordination through the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP), an act that led to her excommunication from Rome. That same year she founded The Community of St. Hildegard in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, an independent community unaffiliated with any diocese but united with similar communities across the United States.
Scope & Content Note:
This collection of personal papers documents Dr. Sterringer's early ministry, education, and faith journey. It contains her writings, both published and unpublished, as well as notable correspondence, including letters related to her excommunication. Other documentation includes news stories about her ministries and photographs of prominent events and individuals. The presence of photographs is not limited to those folders labeled as photographs.
| Series | Box | Folder | Folder Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | 1 | 1 | Booklet, "Here I am I am Ready: A New Model of Ordained Ministry", 2018 (with corrections by Bishop Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger) |
| - | - | - | Correspondence. |
| - | 1 | 2 | Bishop Nelson J. Perez of the Cleveland Diocese, 2019 |
| - | 1 | 3 | Excommunication letters, 2019-2023 |
| - | 1 | 4 | Roy Bourgeois, 2019 |
| - | - | - | Diplomas and academic transcripts, |
| - | 1 | 5 | Master of Arts in Theology; Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, 2007 |
| - | 1 | 6 | Master of Arts in Ministry; Ursuline College, 2011 |
| - | 1 | 7 | Doctor of Ministry; Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, 2012 |
| - | 1 | 8 | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies; Union Institute & University, 2016 |
| - | 1 | 9 | News pieces about Hildegarden, 2016-2017, undated |
| - | - | - | Ordination, |
| - | 1 | 10 | Diaconate, 2019 July 10 |
| - | 1 | 11 | Priestly, 2019 August 3 |
| - | 1 | 12 | Incardination and sub-conditione ordination, 2023 September 23 |
| - | - | - | Photographs, |
| - | 1 | 13 | Danube Seven 20th Anniversary celebration at HIldegarde Haus, 2022 |
| - | 1 | 14 | Selection of liturgies and ministries, undated |
| - | 1 | 15 | Women priests, undated |
| - | 1 | 16 | Photographs and editorial cartoon, Rev. Dagmar Braun Celeste, 2002, 2021 |
| - | 1 | 17 | Vita, including certificates of ministry and news stories, 2003-2025 |
| - | - | - | Writings, published, |
| - | - | - | An Enchanted Journey. Self-published, 2016. |
| - | - | - | Hildegard at the Hive: Encountering Light through the Honey Bee. Self-published, 2016. |
| - | - | - | Celebrating Angels & Orbs. Self-published, 2017 |
| - | - | - | 30-Day Journey with St. HIldegard of Bingen. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2019. |
| - | 1 | 18 | "An Apologia pro Amore: Testament of a Roman Catholic Woman Priest." Blog post, 2019 November 26 |
| - | - | - | Forbidden Grace: HIldegard of Bingen and a Modern Woman's Call to the Catholic Priesthood. Alameda: Page Mill Press, 2021. |
| - | - | - | Writings, unpublished, |
| - | 1 | 19 | "Biblical Basis for the Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching And Its Implications for the Church Today," M.A. Project, St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, April 2007. |
| - | 1 | 20 | "And Then God Created HER in God's Own Image: A Reconstruction of the Sacred Feminine within Roman Catholic Tradition." M.A. Thesis; Ursuline College, May 2011. |
| - | 1 | 21 | "Celebrating the Gift of Women in the Life and Mission of the Church," Doctor of Ministry Project; St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, 2012. |
| - | 1 | 22 | "Empowered by the Living Light: Who Was the 12th Century Nun, Hildegard of Bingen and What Does She Have to Say to Ecclesial Leadership Today?" Ph.D. Dissertation; Union Institute & University, May 2016. |
| - | 1 | 23 | "Women's Actrive Participation in the Catholic Church," a seminar by Dr. Shanon Sterringer; St. John's Regional Seminary; Ramanthapur, Hyderabad, India, 2018 January 20. |