My Roots

I am originally from Texas and grew up in an Episcopal parish that was deeply committed to liturgy, community, and learning. During my teen years, some members of my parish, including two of our priests, became Catholic. It was a formative journey for me, and I am indebted both to my deep roots and to the Church I now call home.

My Work

I currently serve on the faculty of the New England Catholic Biblical School and am an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University. I enjoy the community of a classroom as well as meeting new people at the parishes and places I visit to speak or direct retreats.

I am also the Director of Mission Advancement for the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a women’s religious community whose charism is to share the love of Christ with all they meet. It is a privilege to join in advancing the sisters’ mission of joy, love, and service.

My published work can be found in a variety of Catholic publications, including Give Us This Day, The Bible Today, and St. Anthony Messenger. 

My latest books are Stretch Out Your Hand: Reflections on the Healing Ministry of Jesus and Come to Me, All of You: Stations of the Cross in the Voice of Christ, a 2024 Association of Catholic Publishers award-winner. I have also published three volumes in Little Rock Scripture Study's Alive in the Word series.

My last name is pronounced AY-kay.

To view my CV, click here.

For testimonials, click here.

For my available books, click here.

My Family

I met my husband Ono in graduate school at Catholic University where we both studied theology. 

We married in 2000 and lived in southern Maryland for eleven years. In 2011, we moved to Milford, Connecticut, where we currently live with our four children:

Reya (23), Siobhan (22), Julian (15), and Eli (13). 

My family keeps me busy and happy!