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Almighty God,
author of my life,
help me learn to read
what you have written on my heart.
Give me discerning eyes
and an untiring spirit
to look within me
in order to understand how
to reach outside of me.
And once I have begun
to read you aright,
give me the generosity
to help others to read you,
to sound you out one letter,
one word of radical giving
at a time.
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“Spiritual Directors engage in ongoing formation and continuing education by continuing to discern their call to the ministry and service of spiritual direction.” |
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Dear Colleagues,
The above words caught my attention recently as I reviewed the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct by Spiritual Directors International. Continuous discernment keeps us attentive to our ongoing formation and to fresh ways of hearing our call to the service of spiritual direction.
This discernment might move us in a new direction, like a spiritual director who recently told me he hasn’t been in supervision but now wants to be. It might get us thinking about how we can identify and/or be of service to those discerning a call to become a spiritual director or supervisor.
This newsletter is filled with opportunities for ongoing education and enrichment. So I invite you to discern how you are being called at this time to the service of spiritual direction in light of the following questions.
Are you:
- eager for summer enrichment programs?
- ready to learn more about reflective practices in your spiritual direction ministry?
- seeking training to give the 19th annotation Spiritual Exercises retreat?
- a spiritual director with little or no formal training and a desire for more?
- discerning a call to the ministry of supervision or seeking a supervision training program?
- a supervisor seeking additional formation?
- considering individual or group supervision?
- able to reach out to a spiritual director with little or no formal training or someone discerning a call to become a spiritual director by forwarding this email?
As we anticipate Pentecost, may you ponder these questions in the company of the Spirit whose breath animates the unique gifts given to each of us.
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Together in the Spirit,
Nancy
Nancy Small
Associate Director for Spiritual Direction Initiatives (ISDI)
Office of Ignatian Spirituality
USA East Province of the Society of Jesus
929-232-3056
nsmall@jesuits.org
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Deepening Our Engagement
Reflective Practices for Ignatian Spiritual Directors
Three-Part Virtual Series featuring Damian Zynda, Th.D & Ryan LaMothe, PhD
Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19, 2024, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET
Program Fee: $125 (Scholarships available by clicking here.)
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Reflective practices are at the heart of Ignatian spirituality. They are also a key component of an Ignatian spiritual direction practice, cultivating ongoing growth in our ministry of accompaniment.
This three-session series will explore the theological, psychosocial, and Ignatian foundations for reflective practices along with the pastoral application of these practices. Ethical considerations, such as boundaries and confidentiality, as well criteria for effective reflective practitioners will be addressed. Through deepening engagement with these reflective practices, participants will expand their knowledge while gaining a greater appreciation for the essential place these reflective practices hold within a spiritual direction ministry.
This program is designed for trained spiritual directors and spiritual directors in formation programs. Each session will be recorded and all registrants will receive a copy of each recording.
Click here for a detailed program description and to register.
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SUMMER PROGRAMS FROM OUR IGNATIAN PARTNERS | |
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Online Spiritual Direction Enrichment Program
Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center, Sandy Springs, GA
Thursdays in June, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET
Cost: $60
Registration deadline: June 4
Ignatius House in Sandy Springs, GA, is pleased to offer a June 2024 Spiritual Direction Enrichment Series via Zoom for spiritual directors who have already completed their spiritual direction formation training. Sessions will be recorded for viewing at a later date.
Click here for more information and to register.
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Discernment: The Heart of Spiritual Direction
Program presented by Sr. Elizabeth Liebert, Ph.D.
St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, Stoneville, NC
August 6, 2024, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $175 In-Person, $125 Virtual
Offered by World on Fire Formation Program
Application Deadline: July 15
Click here for more information and to register.
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SUPERVISION PROGRAMS FOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS | |
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This program, led by Maria Tattu Bowen, Ph.D, was originally offered by the ISDI in May 2023. A recording of it is now available in our archives for general viewing. It is intended for spiritual direction supervisors, for those in supervision training, and for spiritual directors discerning a call to supervision ministry.
Click here to view the recording.
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A Virtual Practicum in the Art of Supervision
Experiential Learning sponsored by the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality
Director / Facilitator: Karen M. Doyle, SSJ, MA, D.Min
Application deadline: June 1
This Practicum is designed to provide experienced Spiritual Directors with the fundamental skills and experiential learning to grow in the art and skill of the supervision of spiritual directors. Program components include exploration of the dynamics and fundamental skills of supervision, deepening understanding of the supervision process in light of the Rules for Discernment, a supervised practicum, peer group supervision, assigned readings, real play, role play, and ongoing discernment.
Must commit to nine Saturdays from September 2024 through May 2025 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET. For more information, including a list of program requirements, tuition, dates and application process, please email Colleen at mcis@fairfield.edu.
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Foundations of Supervision
With the pause until 2025 of Fordham’s Advanced Certificate in Supervision, Together in the Mystery is offering Ignatian-inspired supervision training. Three cohorts of Foundations of Supervision will begin this year with each offering an intensive, followed by eight months of individually-supervised practice, culminating in a second intensive. Click on the cohort that interests you for more information and to register.
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Advanced Supervision
Together in the Mystery will offer one cohort of Advanced Supervision online beginning in October (registration deadline is July 15). Designed to dovetail with Foundations of Supervision, Advanced Supervision is appropriate for those forming student directors and those interested in more comprehensive supervision training. It may be completed concurrently with Foundations of Supervision. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in Foundations of Supervision or completion of classic Together in the Mystery training between 2009-2019.
Please contact Maria Tattu Bowen (maria@togetherinthemystery.org) with questions or for further information.
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SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FORMATION PROGRAMS OFFERED BY IGNATIAN PARTNERS | |
PROGRAMS FORMING NEW COHORTS | |
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Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Fordham University, Bronx, NY
Featuring cognitive and applied learning, this program is offered online, hybrid or on campus and requires satisfactory completion of 6 courses (18 semester credits).
Summer 2024 – GRE Summer Session
1. Pastoral Counseling Skills, 6/10-6/14
2. Discernment in the Christian Tradition SPGR, 6/24-8/14
Fall 2024 – GRE Fall Session
1. Spiritual Direction: Theology and Practice, 8/28-10/22
2. Practicum I SPGR 7740*, 9/7, 9/28, 10/26, 11/23, 12/14
*Enrollment in Practicum I requires completion of Summer 2024 courses and enrollment in Theology of Spiritual Direction in Fall 2024.
Spring 2025 – GRE Spring Session
1. Practicum II DTB Students must pass Practicum I to enter Practicum II.
2. One Spirituality elective course from the following:
• History of Christian Spirituality I or History of Christian Spirituality II
• The Ignatian Way
• Contemporary Christian Spirituality
Click here for more information on the Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction at Fordham.
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Tending the Flame
Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center, Sandy Springs, GA
Program begins January 2025.
Application deadline: Sept. 1
This two-year program, grounded in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, highlights the importance of spiritual conversation in keeping the flame of faith burning and the role of the spiritual director in tending to this flame.
Course curriculum includes segments on trauma, addiction, and cultural competency while the program practicum focuses on individual and retreat direction.
Click here for more information.
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Click here to access the full ISDI directory of Spiritual Direction Formation Programs in the Jesuit East province.
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ONLINE PRACTICUMS IN GIVING THE 19TH ANNOTATION RETREAT | |
Both of the following practicums will explore the content, graces and dynamics of the 19th Annotation Retreat in Everyday Life and provide support to spiritual directors as they give the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. | |
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An Online Practicum in Giving the 19th Annotation
Facilitated by Linda Robinson
St. Raphaela Center, Haverford, PA
Monthly on Sundays,
Sept. 2024 - May 2025,
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET
Cost: $900
Registration deadline: July 1
Click here for more information and to register.
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Virtual Practicum in Giving the 19th Annotation: Retreat in Everyday Life
Facilitators: Karen M. Doyle, SSJ and Ruthann O'Mara, SSJ
The Sisters of Saint Joseph Center for Spirituality
2nd Sunday of each month,
Sept. 2024 - May 2025,
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET
Donation: $900
Registration deadline: May 31
Click here for more information or contact Karen M. Doyle, SSJ (karendoyle327@gmail.com) or Ruthann O’Mara, SSJ (ssjruthann@gmail.com).
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Holy Trinity Church, a Jesuit parish in Washington, DC, is seeking a Director of Ignatian Programs. Learn more by clicking here. | |
St. Anthony Shrine, a center for Roman Catholic ministries in Boston is seeking a Director of its Spiritual Direction Training Program. Click here for more about the program. To apply please submit a resume or CV to Carol Mitchell at cmitchell@stanthonyshrine.org. Questions may also be sent to this email address. | | |
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ISDI CATALOG OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS
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Thanks to all of you who updated your record in the ISDI Catalog and/or responded to our request for more available spiritual directors. To learn more about the Catalog and consider registering, click here.
If you haven’t updated your record recently, you may do so here, especially if your information or availability has changed.
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WHAT ARE THEY SAYING ABOUT SPIRITUAL DIRECTION? | |
"In spiritual direction, I discovered not a God of distance but a God in response to the query, 'And where was God in this?' I found a loving God, a God of my Celtic roots; I worked outside in my garden as well as inside my heart, as God, my director and I worked in the garden of my life."
— An Avid Gardener
If you have quotes to share about the importance of spiritual direction, please email them to nsmall@jesuits.org.
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