Sr. Kieran Sawyer, SSND

Sister Kieran Sawyer, SSND, is nationally known for her creative work in youth ministry and catechesis. She is an acclaimed author and lecturer on youth ministry and character formation, with a special focus on chastity education. Over the years she has taught religion at all grade levels in Catholic schools and in religious education programs, and has presented workshops and programs for religion teachers and youth ministers across the country and abroad. Her theological degrees are from Marquette University, St. John’s University in Collegeville, and Catholic University.


Sister Kieran was the founder and director of the TYME OUT Youth Center in Stone Bank, Wisconsin, where for many years she directed retreats and character education programs for the teens and pre-teens of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Her current ministry includes promoting family-based chastity education and abuse
prevention programs and conducting training workshops for catechists, youth ministers, and L.I.F.E. facilitators.

She was honored by the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry as a recipient of the 2006 National Youth Ministry Award.

Sister Kieran is a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province.

In addition to LoveEd, Sister Kieran has written and contributed to many other published works, including:

  • Sex and the Teenager: Choices and Decisions
    (Ave Maria Press, 1990, 1999, 2008), a teachers’ manual and student
    text on adolescent relationships and sexuality.
  • Confirming Faith
    (Ave Maria Press, 1980, 1994) Teacher’s manual and student book
    designed to prepare high school students to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation.
  • Youth Ministry Access
    (Center for Ministry Development), 2009 to present) Lesson plans for
    middle school and high school youth ministry programs.

Sr. Kieran's Passion

Sister Kieran's passion is helping children and teens to understand relationships and sexuality.

Central to her teaching is the acronym L.I.F.E., which she uses to explain the distinction between four basic human relationships: Love, as in committed family love; Infatuation, the emotionally exciting experience known as falling-in love; Friendship, our basic every-day relationships based on respect, trust, and acceptance; and Exploitation, our human propensity to use people rather than respect and love them.

Contact Sr. Kieran Sawyer