Claire Sokol, OCD, Composer

Claire Sokol, OCD  After graduating from Indiana University with a performance degree in Cello as a student of Janos Starker, Sr. Claire performed professionally with the Omaha, Winnipeg and Vancouver, BC orchestras. She entered the Seattle Carmelite Monastery in 1982 with the desire to touch our world more directly through prayer. It wasn’t until she composed Therese’s Canticle of Love (1997) honoring St. Therese of Lisieux, that she discovered her gift for composition. In celebration of the 500^th anniversary of the birth of St. Teresa of Avila (2015), Sr. Claire composed a setting of St. Teresa’s well-known prayer, Nada Te Turbe, and invited Carmelite nuns from around the world to join in singing it together as a virtual choir. Sr. Claire is currently a member of the Carmelite Monastery in Reno, NV.  Several of her choral compositions are available through GIA Publications, Oregon Catholic Press and J.W. Pepper.

 “Artistic expression flows naturally from the contemplative life. It can take many forms, including visual art and music.  I hope my life and music can become an echo of the beauty of the Sacred in our world.”    Sr. Claire

Sa Ra Lee, OCD, Artist

Sa Ra Lee, OCD was born in South Korea. She obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Kyung Book National University in 1987 and a Master’s Degree in Fine Art from the Kye Myung Graduate School in 1989 before coming to the United States, where she continued her studies at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, obtaining another Master’s Degree in Fine Art in 1993.  Sr. Sa Ra taught art for several years before entering the Carmelite Monastery in Reno, NV in 2004. Sr. Sa Ra uses the mediums of water color, oil, acrylic or pastel to express the harmony and wholeness found in the beauty of nature and allow it to illumine the beauty that lives within each of us.

“Painting is like breathing for me: it is natural communication between me and this world. I want to share peace, harmony and beauty with others through my paintings.”    Sr. Sa Ra

Chris Donovan, Author

Chris Donovan is an author and frequent lecturer on Scripture and Spirituality.  Chris is a member (non-vowed) of the Carmel of Reno and spends her time in her hometown of Boston, MA and Reno, NV.  Prior to joining the community in 2014, Chris enjoyed a 27 year career in Finance and Global Markets at Brown Brothers Harriman, Goldman Sachs and State Street.  Chris holds a BA in Economics from Stonehill College, Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) from Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Master of Theology (Th.M.) and Post Masters Certification in Spiritual Formation from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.  Chris enjoys accompanying individuals encounter the Sacred Spirit of Love in Scripture, Prayer, and Nature.