Spiritual Direction

from Spiritual Directors of Ontario:

What is Spiritual Direction?

"Spiritual direction" refers to an active conversation between two people that centers on the one's relationship with God and is informed by both persons sensing of the movement of the Spirit. While traditionally the persons offering to guide others on this spiritual journey are referred to as spiritual directors, today many people refer to them in less hierarchical terms such as "spiritual guides" or "companions." Spiritual guidance or "direction" for Christians explores, within a Gospel context, the authentic, dynamic connection with our deepest selves, and with the God of our tradition.

The ministry of companioning another in the quest for a deeper understanding of their relationship with God. Providing a sacred safe space to explore one's inner life. If there are folk in your parish who could benefit from this ministry, perhaps a day/month could be arranged to have a director available at your church. Private space would be required.

Contemplative Prayer from the Christian Tradition

This program offers the participants an opportunity to experience prayer from the Benedictine, Ignatian and Franciscan traditions. Also an opportunity to experience prayer with the songs of Taize. Offered as a Day Retreat in your church, or as a five week series.

1. Lectio Divina - slow meditative prayer with Scripture.
2. Gospel Contemplation - visualizing and entering into a gospel story.
3. Awareness Examen - discerning God's activity in personal life experiences.
4. Franciscan - praying with the stories of Francis of Assisi.
5. Prayer with the songs of Taize - an experience of prayer in the tradition from Br. Roger of Taize France.

Francis of Assisi - How he continues to speak to us today.

This program reveals how Francis of Assisi's message is relevant for today. Using stories from Francis' life, participants will be invited to reflect on various themes that emerge. Offered as a day or weekend retreat or 6 week series.

Includes:

1. Respect of creation - The story of the birds, The Mountain Jonquil.
2. Respecting Others - Meeting the Muslim Sultan of Egypt.
3. Facing our Fears - Encountering the Leper.
4. Making choices - Francis and his father.
5. Balanced Life - The Road and the Cave.
6. Peace Making and Reconciliation - The Wolf of Gubbio.

Women of the Bible and how they speak to us today.

This program can be offered as a day retreat in shortened form, a weekend retreat or an eight week series.

Includes:

1. Mary of Magdela
2. Mary of Bethany
3. Mary of Nazareth
4. The Woman at the Well
5. The Bent over woman, The woman with a hemorrhage, The persistent woman.
6. Sarah
7. Rebecca
8. Ruth

Storytelling in the first person, as well as reflection questions and group sharing will be part of this experience.

Finding God in the Story of My Life

This program invites the participant to research and reflect on their life story in context of God's creative activity.

Areas of focus include:

1. Family of Origin - research into ancestral story
2. Growing up years
3. Leaving Home
4. Vocational Choices
5. Desert Places - where God felt absent, crises etc.
6. Romance and Intimacy
7. Promised Lands

A guide is provided which contains my story divided into these seven areas of focus. After each focus there are reflection questions to aid in writing. Offered for groups or individuals. Suggested 8 weeks in duration.

Individuals or groups often find that a ritual of healing the family tree is helpful at the conclusion of this program.

The Guide Book - FINDING GOD IN THE STORY OF OUR LIVES. A Guide to Discover Your Sacred Story is available for purchase. The cost is $15.00 Cdn. includes tax. Please email us if you are interested.

Spiritual Exercises:

1. Annotation 19 - The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

   An at home directed prayer retreat. Participants are given daily Scripture meditations to pray with and are asked to journal their reflections with special attention on how they were moved by the readings. Up to 40 weeks in duration. Regular meeting with a spiritual director is required, individually or as a small group.

2. Franciscan Directed Retreat

   An at home directed prayer retreat in the Franciscan spiritual tradition. The life of Francis of Assisi is the consistent example for this retreat. Sacred Scripture and Murray Bodo's book Francis the Journey and the Dream, will be used for daily meditation. Up to 20 weeks in duration. Regular meeting with a spiritual director is required individually or as a small group.

3. Week of Directed Prayer in Parish Setting

   A way of making a directed retreat in the midst of daily living.

   Beginning Sunday afternoon, closing Saturday morning. Participants are asked to spend a half-hour each day in prayer and meet daily for 30 - 40 minutes with a spiritual director to share their insights on the readings.

   This can also be offered over a period of 6 weeks.

   Themes include:

   1. The Creator Loves Me
   2. Creation Reveals God's Love
   3. Recognition of My Brokenness in light of God's Love and Call
   4. To be Open to God's Love and Healing
   5. We are Called to serve beyond Ourselves

   These programs begin with a group introductory gathering, and a final closing prayer ritual.

Fee Structure

Spiritual Direction: $50-70.00 /hour

Evening, 1/2 day talk or workshop: $150.00

Retreat Day Facilitation: $250.00

Weekend Facilitation: $500.00

For spiritual direction and other ministries, if finances are a problem, please let us know.

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