Meet the Women of Bethany
Kiara Rose
Formation House
Thank you all for welcoming me back to a second year of Bethany! I am so excited for yet another year of great memories, to meet new people, and to get to know you all better! My name is Kiara Laube, I am from Brainerd, MN. Last year I found myself here in the beautiful Iron Range with some, (a lot) of persistence from Naomi and the Holy Spirit. I came back because I believe the Holsy spirit is not done working with me and within me here at Bethany, and I am excited to see what adventures He brings me on this upcoming year. I will be living with four other Bethany House women in the old Gilbert rectory as a part of the Formation House. Please pray for us as we go on this journey of healing, hope and joy as Sisters in Christ so that we may bring Christ’s healing, hope and joy to each of you in this beloved community. Immaculate Conception, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us!
Sophia May
Formation House
Hello everyone! My name is Sophia Krekelberg. I’m incredibly excited for my first year at Bethany in the Formation House. I’m originally from St. Paul, MN. My family moved to a homestead near Two Harbors, MN when I was ten years old. Growing up, I loved to sing, dance, write stories, and play with my three younger siblings. I was homeschooled throughout my childhood. Later on, I attended Lake Superior College as a PSEO student, where I earned my associate degree. I heard about Bethany last summer and immediately fell in love with the idea of slowing down and discerning God’s will for my life. As I learned more about Bethany, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in a very beautiful and personal way. Many signs appeared in my life that pointed towards Bethany. I reached out to Naomi and told her about these signs. She encouraged me to consider what Jesus was calling me to do. I was scared at the thought of leaving everything behind, but I surrendered my fears to Jesus and applied for Bethany. I’m so blessed to have this opportunity to serve as a missionary for the church, Marquette, and the greater community. I can’t wait to see where He leads me!
Kelsey Marie
Formation House
Hi everyone! It's Kelsey Marie, and I'm so grateful to be back for another year at Bethany—and for what Jesus has called me to in the upcoming year! This is my third year back at Bethany, and I'm beyond grateful that the Lord has called me here once again. This year, I'll be living in the Gilbert house, embracing a life of rest and community. For those who may not know me, here's a bit about myself! My family and I moved to Pequot Lakes, MN, in 2016 from Duluth, MN. Looking back, that was the most providential move, as it soon sparked my love for the Catholic faith. Some of the things I love doing include running (both on trails and roads), painting, discovering new hobbies, getting a cup of coffee, reading, and experimenting with new coffee recipes. These are just a few of my favorites!
Bethany has truly blessed my life in a way I can't articulate or fathom; it is a true and beautiful gift from Jesus' Sacred Heart. The people I've met, the places I've been, and the encounters of prayer that Jesus has let me take part in, and I cannot wait to experience more of what Jesus has for me and the community! Please pray for us, we are praying for you!
Katelyn Mary
Mission House
Hi everyone! My name is Kate Chromy. I grew up in New Prague, MN. I was the middle of five kids in my family and was blessed to grow up close to extended family who raised me in our Czech heritage. Some of my fondest memories as a kid include baking kolacky with my grandma on Saturdays and playing outside with my siblings. My family also spent many weekends exploring Minnesota state parks and trails. I was raised Catholic and attended grade school at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in New Prague, where I grew in knowledge of the faith and an understanding of Jesus’s love for me. I was confirmed into the Church in high school and chose St. Veronica as my confirmation saint, admiring her courage and simple act of compassion, which made her a saint.
I studied Psychology and Occupational Therapy at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. During my time in Duluth, I became involved in the University of Minnesota Duluth Newman Center, which was a very formative community for me in developing a personal relationship with Jesus. During my final year of grad school (2024-25), I was discerning the next steps for my life after school and found that every plan that I made fell through in some way. After each closed door, I felt a deeper opening in my heart for the Bethany House and finally gave my “yes” during the Easter season. I was pleasantly surprised by how the Bethany House fit with each of the desires of my heart. I am beyond excited to go on this journey with the Lord and with my new sisters and feel confident in the many blessings to come.
I will be living in the Mission House this year and working as an occupational therapist at Northland Learning Center. I will also be joining the Family Faith Formation Team. I am looking forward to growing deeper in my identity as a beloved daughter of the Father and being a part of such a wonderful community!
Kallie Joy
Mission House
Hey! My name is Kallie Joy and I’m from Hackensack, MN. I love the beach, campfires, reading, going on walks/hikes, playing card games and hanging out with friends. I became Catholic in June of 2019, ask me about it - I’d love to share my story! After my conversion, I went on a mission trip to Mexico City, a pilgrimage to Lourdes and then did FOCUS Summer projects in Michigan. These experiences changed my heart in a radical way. I eventually started to work at my home parish in Walker, MN as the secretary and youth minister. I fell in love with serving our beautiful universal church. After a couple of years of doing parish work, I got the call from Jesus (through Naomi) to drop everything and come to Bethany. I was immediately attracted to the idea of living with a community of women to go on mission on the iron range! The past two years at Bethany have been some of the most beautiful years of my life. It’s been a gift to live/serve in our mission field alongside my sisters and other faithful people in our community. One of my favorite things to do is to be a part prayer teams at mission field events. I love getting to see how open people are to recieve the Fathers healing. For the past two years, Ive worked at Marquette. This upcoming year, I will teach elementary art and run the aftercare program. I’m looking forward to what Jesus has in store for the students, their families and all of the staff. This year, I will continue living at the mission house located in Virginia. My heart is filled with an overwhelming amount of gratitude as we begin the third year of Bethany. I am beyond grateful to those of you who have supported us these past few years. Please know of my prayers and love for all of you!
Audrey Elizabeth
Mission House
Hello sweet friends! I'm Audrey and it is such a joy to be a part of Bethany House this year. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest with my five winsome and wonderful younger brothers and sisters where we spent our days reading good books and soaking up all the mountainous beauty the West Coast has to offer. Over the last few years, I studied English Literature and Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, and I finished a graduate program in Theology and the Arts from the University of St Andrews in Scotland this past summer. I love spending time on the beach, in the kitchen, chasing sunsets, playing piano, writing, behind the camera, and sharing in the glory of ordinary life with those around me. I have been deeply shaped and formed by the life and love of Our Blessed Mother and the writing of both St. John Paul II and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. My heart seeks to imitate the courageous surrender and devotion to Christ and His Church. The Holy Spirit truly led me to Bethany House, and I cannot wait to share in the beauty and abundance of life with Christ with each and every one of you. I’ll be living in the Mission House and am blessed to serve the beautiful outreach of the Mission Field through communications and development.
Taylor Mae
Mission House
Hey sweet friends! I am so excited to be back for my second year at Bethany! The Lord is so sweet to me for calling me back for a second year!
Some little things to know about me: I grew up in Pequot Lakes MN, am the oldest of six children, I went to college at Winona State University, I love to bake, I can be found taking a walk at any given minute, and love an iced chai latte!
This upcoming year at Bethany I will be living at the Virginia house and working at Marquette Catholic School as the kindergarten teacher. I’m excited to see all that the Lord has in store for this year!
My journey to Bethany was so blessed by the Lord. Two years ago I found myself in a place of being ready to take the next step in my life, but was uncertain of what that next step was. Through prayer and the counsel of my godmother, I found the Bethany House and it truly felt as if the Lord was opening the door for me. Last year was such a beautiful year of personal growth and I am looking forward to finding out what is in store for my heart this coming year!
Please know of my many prayers for each of you,
Jaclyn Sarah
Discerning Religious Life
Hello, dear friends! My name is Jaclyn Johnson, and I am so grateful for the Lord’s call on my life to Bethany! I am from Brainerd, MN and I come from a family of four. My younger sister and I grew up on lakes and in the woods, which has created a deep love in my heart for the beauty of creation—I especially love camping, hiking, and traveling. I also love the little joys in life found in good books, competitive sports and games, fun puzzles, beautiful music, and good coffee. One of my favorite titles of Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and two of my dearest friends in Heaven are Mary Magdalene and Elizabeth of the Trinity. I graduated from the University of St. Thomas where I studied Family Studies and Catholic Studies, and for the past few years I have served as a Missionary on college campuses in Kansas City and St. Paul. I am so grateful to now be back home in the Diocese of Duluth! Through the Lord's faithful work of healing, hope, and joy in my life, and the bold persistence of my sweet friend Naomi (whom I have had the delight of knowing since preschool), Jesus called me to this life of Jubilee. This call has far surpassed what I believed was possible for my life, and I have received a hope that does not disappoint. I am incredibly excited to live the Jubilee with you all, and I am deeply honored to serve alongside you in the Blessed Kingdom of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bless you!
Naomi Catherine
Discerning Religious Life
Hey friends! It’s Naomi! I grew up in Crosby, MN & had the beautiful opportunity to attend St. Francis school with my nine brothers & sisters as a kid. Much of what defines us is written into us from a young age, and for me childhood was a wonder-genesis: discovering the mystery of creation, of humanity, of suffering, of God who is Love. Truly it was this wonder & love of story, language, & beauty that later launched me into my study of English Literature at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
These past four years I have been blessed to live, serve, & belong to this mission field community first as a missionary in the school & now as a Youth Minister, Campus Minister, & member of Bethany House. I have been so held by this community in the joys & sufferings of these years & your love has truly led me to the Healing, Hope, & Joy of Jesus.
Some things I totally love: sitting by water, stars, literature & poetry, swing dancing, adventures in the wilderness, podcasting, pine trees, the ice cream bike, mountains, attempting to garden & playing dodgeball with kindergartners. I have also been deeply encouraged by the radical witness to love, joy, & holiness of St. Francis & St. Clare— two saints who truly risked & gave everything in that simple, expansive freedom of being in love with Jesus.
I am completely amazement at all God has done as we begin this third year in the story of Bethany; this is the joy of my life & one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. You all have loved us to life & my heart overflows with gratitude. Buckle up, this is just the beginning!
