Shannon wants fellow disciples with LGBTQ+ experiences to know that they were inherently good and not alone. As a co-founder, she has worn almost every hat in the mission over the years, but currently works part-time focusing on design work, marketing, and project support. Shannon graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Social Welfare with Gender & Women's Studies and Entrepreneurship concentrations. Before co-founding Eden Invitation, Shannon worked in college campus ministry with The Evangelical Catholic and Brew City Catholic. She is currently working towards her Master's in Marriage & Family Therapy.
"On the Porch" with Shannon
We’re more than what we do or what we’ve done– we’re unrepeatable people with unique stories to tell.
So if you have a moment, pull up a chair on our metaphorical porch here and get to know us a bit more!
How have you seen God moving in your life?
Through Eden Invitation, I really feel as though God has slowly revealed more and more of the layers of my vocation to spiritual motherhood, and by the consistent renewal of my baptismal vows (we do this at the end of every retreat). It’s a gift to discover the unique ways we can live our call to holiness!
Who has inspired you on this Journey to Heaven? Patron Saints, role models, cool authors?
St. Francis of Assisi – even have a tattoo of him, and he was the first saint to make me realize sainthood was possible! I’m also deeply inspired by Caryll Houselander in the grittiness of her writing, as well as Fr. Walter Ciszeck through his powerful yet simple invitation in discerning God’s will.
What’s a beautiful part of your job? Perhaps something that people may not see from the surface level of your job description?
I’m behind the camera at most of our events so you won’t see me on camera, but you get to see what I see…. Unique, beloved, and unrepeatable disciples. Back when we first started Eden Invitation we didn’t know who all was out there (we had only knew a few big names), so Anna and I put ourselves on the line. It took time, but now (though up to personal discernment and safety) more and more disciples are comfortable sharing the story, and I have the privilege of sharing the gift of their heart through our videos and photos. I’m constantly humbled that people would courageously share their face as a witness and reminder of the goodness and joy that can exist in God’s people, here in the Church.
Can you show us a glimpse of your experience in this mission, like videos, links, interviews, etc?
Spiritual Motherhood | Testimony Released by the Catholic Woman
Faith & Flourishing in the LGBT+ Experience | This Whole Life Podcast
For more on the story of founding Eden Invitation, visit here and here.
How can people be praying for you and your work?
Please pray that my work may continue to invite people deeper into the heart of God through beauty! We try to be intentional with every little design choice, just as “everything is grace”, everything can tell a story, so I hope I can continue to do that in a blessed and beautiful way moving forward.
Porch Events are opportunities for people to get to know our community better. If we did a Potluck for a Porch Event, what are you bringing?
Living up to the midwest vibes, I’ve been really into bringing baked apricot glazed summer sausage. VERY Yummy!
Book Clubs are centered on walking together as striving Disciples with LGBTQ+ experiences, usually reading a spiritual classic or Eden Invitation blogs. BUT if you could do a Book Club with Eden Invitation people, on ANY book, which book would you choose?
We already have done the one I really wanted! He Leadeth Me. I think we first went through that book in 2019. For so many of us I feel like we find ourselves in circumstances we don’t choose… So this book is poignant in helping find God in those places and taking back agency to recognize the interior freedom we do have.
Otherwise, the play Heroes of the Fourth Turning. I did a read aloud with friends a while back and I think it’s an apt piece on modern American Catholicism that served as a mirror. We were all able to reflect back ways we found ourselves in the different characters and how we were being invited to grow. A striking and moving piece!
We love seeing the beloved and unrepeatable talents of our Community and Pastoral Team during our Retreat TalenTED show! What would you do for TalenTED?
I’ve read poetry and sung Unconditional by Katy Perry. Someday, I’ll probably break out my trumpet! I played it for 10 years growing up, but have let it collect dust. Might just need to find someone to duet “Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens so I can rock the trumpet breakdown!
If you could go on a Community Weekend, a kind of “family vacation” with your Hearth Group, to ANYWHERE in the world, where would you want to go?
Thinking of what’s close to the MN Hearth Group, I think it would be really fun to do a Boundary Waters/Voyageurs National Park trip. It's quite a drive, but it would be fun to canoe and camp together up north!
It’s time for Toasts! When we raise a glass to celebrate God’s Graces in our lives, what bevvy are you lifting up?
If it contains alcohol, it’s probably a manhattan or old fashioned… or some crazy cocktail I’ve made a funky simple syrup for (I once made a pho-based “brothtail” with home made chinese 5-spice simple syrup… DELISH). Otherwise I’m always drinking water (don’t go anywhere without a reusable waterbottle) and love a little lemonade with strawberry basil simple syrup or coke with grenadine in it.
What’s your favorite piece of EI gear?
I'm partial to all of it since I've designed or selected the merch we have available, but if I have to pick, I'd say the Corduroy hat. I’m a sucker for fun sunglasses and baseball caps. So I love the simplicity of this hat. It gives cozy vibes with the corduroy, but with the simple two triangles allows someone to wear it that can either invite conversation or just be trendy minimalist vibe.
We love building playlists for each year’s Retreat theme– what are some top songs on your playlists?
“Bigger” by Beyonce
“Dissect the Bird” by John Craigie (Live version is the best)
“Blackbird” by The Beatles
“Earth” by Sleeping at Last
“I Spoke Up” by Steffany Gretzinger
“Goodness of God” by Bethel