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Cheryl J. Barnard & Maria Hansen
Some partnerships are planned. Ours was providential.
Cheryl and Maria found each other the way most meaningful things happen in the Catholic world, through community, prayer, and a shared hunger for spiritual growth. Over the years, they crossed paths again and again in many of the same spiritual growth groups, and what began as a friendship quickly revealed itself as something more: a shared calling.
One of their favorite memories together is the moment they discovered they both had the gift of discernment of spirits. It was one of those holy surprises that could only make you laugh and marvel at how intentional God truly is. Two women, walking separate paths, had been given the same gift, and suddenly those paths were merging into one mission.
That shared gift opened the door to something they both love deeply: helping others discover their own charisms, those unique, Spirit-given gifts that God has placed in every person for a reason. Watching someone recognize their charism for the first time and then begin to understand how it connects to their purpose is one of the greatest joys of this work.
Together, Cheryl and Maria bring their gifts, their stories, and their deep love for the Church to every coaching relationship. Whether you are a woman searching for healing and identity, or a priest, seminarian, or ministry leader in need of renewal, you will find in them two coaches who have done their own interior work and are honored to walk alongside you in yours. This is not just what they do. It is who they are. 🕊️
Meet The Team
Cheryl J Barnard
Founder/Certified Catholic Life Coach, PPC
Cheryl J. Barnard is a Catholic life coach,PPC and the founder of Mercy & Grace Coaching, where she helps individuals discover the freedom, clarity, and peace that come from living in alignment with their God-given purpose.
Drawing from her own journey of faith, healing, and personal transformation, Cheryl walks alongside clients navigating life's most challenging seasons, helping them build healthy boundaries, overcome people-pleasing, and step into the fullness of who God created them to be.
Her coaching is rooted in truth, compassion, and the conviction that real and lasting change is possible for every person willing to do the work. Whether she is working with professionals on the edge of burnout, leaders carrying too much, or individuals longing for deeper peace in their relationships, Cheryl brings warmth, wisdom, and unwavering encouragement to every conversation.
She is currently accepting new clients and can be reached at Cheryl@mercygracecoaching.net
Maria Hansen
Spiritual Formation Life Coach
Maria Hansen has a passion for coaching others by guiding and supporting them to find their purpose in life through healing in faith by finding their true identity in Christ.
Maria is a cradle Catholic who has been married for 30 years, a mother of 7, 5 of whom are in heaven. She has a passion for ministering to priests, seminarians, and ministry leaders. She has been ministering to priests
since she was six years old and is blessed to partner with her son, Samuel, who is named after a priest and now intercedes for her from heaven.
My experience includes serving on the Unbound Ministries team, Prayer of The Heart ministry team as an intercessor, graduating from Encounter Ministry school in 2023, completing The Art of Accompaniment class through Father Boniface Hicks’ spiritual direction program, participating as a test pilot in a Prayer of the Heart study on Ignatian rules led by Father Darrin May, and an intercessor for Ember Rising Pregnancy Help Center. These experiences have led me to coaching under Mercy and Grace Coaching with Cheryl Bernard.
Maria is excited to walk alongside you to find your God-given mission in Christ!
She is currently accepting new clients. She can be reached by Email:maria@mercygracecoaching.net