Sister Mary Pat Garvin, RSM, Ph.D., a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, serves as an educator, consultant, and facilitator for national and international conferences of religious, as well as religious congregations worldwide. Her other ministerial experiences over the years have included: a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Leadership Team (2011-2017); co-designer and instructor in the UISG international program for the preparation of formators; and educator in primary, secondary, and higher education, including the Gregorian University where she received a doctorate in psychology and served on the faculty for eight years. Currently, Mary Pat is a member of the national boards of the Religious Formation Conference (RFC) and the Inter-Congregational Collaborative Novitiate (ICCN). In 2017 she received the Penet Award from the RFC for her contribution to the ministry of initial and ongoing formation. In 2025, Mary Pat received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). Her research interest is the interplay of spirituality and psychology in the promotion of a healthy and holy living of religious life.