Sister Carol T. Wagner, RDC, LCSW
Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Sr. Carol celebrates her Golden Jubilee this year! Sister has a lifelong connection to the Sisters of the Divine Compassion (RDC) having attended St. Frances de Chantal Elementary and Preston High School in the Throggs Neck community. Sr. Carol graduated from Good Counsel College/College of White Plains with a BS in Chemistry, and joined the Divine Compassion Community in 1973.
After teaching and school counseling for eight years at the Academy of our Lady of Good Counsel (GCA) and Preston High Schools (PHS), Sister earned an MSW degree at Fordham University, and post-graduate certification in Spiritual Direction and Family Systems Therapy. Her LCSW career continued as Clinical Supervisor at Our Lady of Mercy Out-Patient Psychiatric Clinic & The Center for Family Learning. In 1991, Sister returned to PHS as Guidance Chair, and in 1992 became the Founding Director of the Preston Center of Compassion Counseling
Services, located on the PHS campus. Since that time, the PCC has provided quality, affordable psychotherapy, counseling and a myriad of programs and services for Bronx women, children and families in need.
Sr. Carol served as RDC President and Treasurer, as part of the Leadership Team for 12 years, and as RDC Formation Director from 2001-12. Sister served in national leadership, as part of the LCWR, UISG, ACWR, & RFC National Boards, and as a Leadership Mentor, working with Sisters in Africa and Central America. Her own pilgrimages to Mexico, South Africa, El Salvador, and the Holy Land continue to expand her commitment to global networking and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Ministry (DEI).
Sr. Carol created “Compassion Connection” mission programs in Appalachia during the 1980s, serving women and families living in poverty, immigrants, homeless mothers, victims of human trafficking, teaching ESL, and countless others most in need of compassion. While living and volunteering in St. Frances de Chantal parish in the Bronx, Sister played the guitar, singing with the RDCs at the Sunday folk Masses, and offering pastoral counseling in the school and
parish.
Currently, Sr. Carol is PCC Director of Counseling Services, Mission & Spirituality. Her favorite gift to share is the gift of compassion she has received throughout her life, creating compassion circles, empowering culturally diverse women and children locally and globally. Sr. Carol loves yoga and dance, music, playing the piano, and outdoor activities at the water and in the woods, where in nature God speaks to her heart.
