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Spiritual Direction

Thinking about Spiritual Direction ?

 


St. Benedict's Retreat Centre Spiritual Directors
Sr. Marie Baker, OSB, Sr. Catherine Labinowich, OSB,

Sr. Mary Rose Hammerling, OSB, and Sr. Irene Burzynski, OSB
 

Spiritual direction is a ministry and a relationship in which one believer accompanies another in the process of growing in intimacy with God.  The focus of a spiritual direction relationship is the directee's experience of the Holy One in her/his daily life and prayer. A director helps one to pay attention to God's personal revelation and to respond to God.  Problems arise in each of our lives; these will inevitably affect our relationship with God and therefore, will arise in the spiritual direction sessions. Problem- solving, however, is not the FOCUS of spiritual direction. God, in the life of the individual, IS.  Regular meetings with a spiritual director help one to pay attention to notice God in one’s self, others, events, all of life!

 

Who Seeks Spiritual Direction ?

Women, men, of all faith traditions are engaged in spiritual direction or companionship.

 

Do you find yourself desiring a deeper relationship with God?

Is your search for God at a crossroad?

Do you want to explore new ways to pray or has prayer become difficult?

Do you feel the need for someone to help in discerning the call of God for you?

Do you desire a companion on the spiritual journey?

If so, you may want to begin.
 

 

What Happens During Spiritual Direction

You can expect a director to listen attentively and with reverence, to ask reflective questions and to help you notice movements in your life.  Spiritual direction is a sacred time in which you talk about your relationship with God, self and others.  Since we believe that God communicates through ordinary human experience, you will be urged to pay attention to your experience so as to notice God’s nudges, invitations, challenges and confirmations.

 

Is There a Fee ?

St. Benedict’s suggests an offering of $30-45/session or the equivalent of your hourly wage. This can be discussed at the initial interview

 

How Do I Start ?

If you feel drawn to spiritual direction, call and ask for one of the available directors. Set up an initial interview to talk over your desire and mutual expectations. If you are comfortable with this director, you can begin this journey of trust and deepening relationship with God and all creation.

 



Shekinah
:

Formation & Training in the Christian Practice of Spiritual Direction
 

This two- year formation program is for women and men of any denomination and walk of life, discerning a call to accompany others in the spiritual journey. Goals of the program/process include deepening the participants’ capacity for contemplative listening and providing a learning community and supervision as participants learn the skills of holy listening as spiritual directors.

 

Co-Directors of Shekinah

Sr. Mary Coswin and David Walsh are seasoned spiritual directors, supervisors and trainers of new directors. They will be joined by resource staff including Sisters Sandra Stewart, Catherine Labinowich,  Mary Rose Hammerling and Marie Baker among others.

 

Those considering application must have at least one year’s experience of receiving monthly spiritual direction prior to entering the formation program.

 

The next program will be held September 2011-May 2012. Application packet will be available in January of 2011.

 

Download a printable brochure by clicking here.


For more information, please contact us!

 


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