Breakfast with Women

"Spirituality has been a primary focus of my ministerial call for over 40 years. As a registered nurse, I taught applied spirituality to health care professionals in faith-based and community- based health care systems across the U.S. for 35 years. I have had the privilege of companioning others in spiritual direction and retreats for 40 years, including being part of summer staff at the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh. I have a M.A. in Christian Spirituality and a D. Min. in Creation Spirituality.

"I believe that each of us has a spiritual connection to the Mystery of Love that many call God. This spiritual connection is a pure gift of unconditional Divine Love that is always present but may seem hidden.  As women in particular, we need support to become aware of this extravagant gift of Unconditional Divine Love so as to awaken to the hidden wisdom of our own spiritual journey and bring that Woman Wisdom to our hurting world. I believe that Divine Love wants to love us and bring that Love through us to others."

"Spiritual direction is sometimes called spiritual guidance or spiritual companioning. It has a wide variety of definitions, and writers offer many images for spiritual direction. We all have a deep-down sacred space within us that desires to be known and loved by our God.

"So whatever name or image one has of God, there are guides who are trained in the art of sacred listening and who companion those who wish to reflect on their life experiences in a deeper way, integrate spirituality into their everyday lives, and desire to grow in their awareness of God’s presence in their lives.

"A metaphor may help give a better understanding of spiritual direction, In the past, I came across the term, “Trail Angels.” These are volunteers on the Appalachian Trail that stretches from Georgia to Main. Trail Angels help to maintain the environment of the trails, provide food, clothing, shelter, first aid, overall hospitality and kindness to the hikers.
Perhaps spiritual direction offers “hospitality of the heart” through skilled listening and other practices for those willing to walk the adventure of their soul journey.

"I have been a spiritual guide over 25 years and have received training through the Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, WI. I have had further educational opportunities, and also provide private retreats through our CSA Hermitages."

"As a spiritual companion for over 25 years, I have been privileged to sit with women and men who are engaged in heart/soul tasks.  Listening to their stories, I am in awe! The Holy One calls, and as a companion, I assist the person in discerning and responding to that call. I marvel at God’s tender, persistent love to challenge us."

"What is Spiritual Direction? Perhaps a story from the Hebrew Scriptures helps us to understand. After running away from his life in Egypt, Moses is out tending sheep in his new life when he stumbles upon a burning bush that is not being consumed by the fire. Curious, he approaches the bush and a voice speaks to him saying, 'Moses, take off your shoes, the place where you stand is holy.'  Every one of us has that little holy fire within, as well as that curiosity about the mystery of our life’s meaning. The place where we stand; our physical, emotional, spiritual being, as well as creation and our fellow beings is the holy ground that a seeker desires to understand and brings to Spiritual Direction. Together the seeker and the Spiritual Director take off their shoes, listen to that inner voice,  and explore the presence of this Holy Fire in the seekers life.  

"I’m a graduate of the Spirituality Program at Chreighton University, and also have studied World religions. I have continued to enrich my own exploration of Spirituality as a lifelong seeker and learner.I have practiced Spiritual Direction and retreat work for 20 years."

"Spiritual Guidance or Direction is a way of walking with or companioning another person on their life journey. This is a very privileged, sacred work that encourages and is present to the other as they share their life of encountering their God, the Divine Mystery. My underlying belief is that each individual holds the answers for the life within them. As a spiritual guide, I listen closely to what is being shared, perhaps ask questions to look more deeply, or reinforce what the seeker has said as ways to discover the wisdom within. I am present as a witness to the beauty of the person and their life journey. No matter how the seeker unfolds her/his life or concerns or wonders, I hold that person in deep respect and maintain a safe place for that sharing.

"Though my actual professional training in spiritual guidance is fairly recent-in the Spiritual Guidance Training Program at Siena Retreat Center, my life experience provided a firm foundation for that program. Those experiences include professional nursing in numerous clinical settings, missionary ministry in Nicaragua, leadership roles in CSA and assisting in developing and providing one-one-one spirituality services at CORE-el Centro, a non-profit organization offering affordable wellness services in Milwaukee."