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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! |
