Sister Hélène Mercier OSB of Saint Benedict’s Monastery in Saint Joseph, Minnesota, will become the Executive Director of the North American Commission for Interreligious Dialogue in June 2010. The appointment was announced on April 12 by Father Mark Serna OSB, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, who said, “We joyfully and enthusiastically look forward to Sr. Hélène’s ministry as Executive Director and promise our support and encouragement."

Sister Hélène has a Certificate in Monastic Studies from the School of Theology of Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, and a Masters in Christian Spirituality and Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

Sister Hélène is from Canada and was a member of the Benedictine Priory in Montreal before joining Saint Benedict’s Monastery. At Saint Benedict’s she most recently served as director of Oblates and as a spiritual director and retreat director. She has also been an advisor to the Hesed community in Oakland, California, which describes itself as “An Urban Benedictine Community for Christian Meditation.”

Sister Hélène has been on MID’s Board of Directors since 2007, and served as the Board’s Treasurer.