This Professional Development conference will feature six distinguished presenters to enrich your spiritual direction practice. Two sessions plus lunch will be offered each day. Topics include God's Revelation Continues, Culture's Hidden Voice Challenges Faith, Sowing Peace Through Spiritual Conversation, The Use of Scripture in Spiritual Direction, Toward a Theology of Suffering, and Ongoing Healing Through Ministry. This event is open to the public. You do not have to be a spiritual director to attend. A light lunch is included.

Tuesday, July 9th

Morning Session The Use of Scripture in Spiritual Direction Presenter: Fr. Francis Macatangay

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path. We recognize our stories as part of the story of God. This connection guides, consoles, and uplifts the seeker. As spiritual directors we are called to continue to be attentive to and grow in this connection and to become more skilled and creative in helping these truths reveal themselves to our directees as they share their stories.

Afternoon Session God’s Revelation Continues Presenter: Elizabeth McLaughlin

Church dogma and doctrine are gifts for the faithful. At the same time, we are challenged to be open to the Holy Spirit’s unfolding revelation of the heart of doctrine. As spiritual directors we are called to be attentive to this movement and invitation to reflection and response for ourselves and our directees.

Wednesday, July 10th

Morning Session Culture’s Challenging Voice Hidden in Faith Presenter: Maureen Bacchi

We are inevitably enmeshed in our culture. Like the air we breathe, we can fail to notice its impact. Especially in regard to key questions of life and death we can unknowingly absorb values that clash with the faith we profess. As spiritual directors we are called to become more aware of those places of dissonance within ourselves and better able to hear them in those we accompany.

Afternoon Session Toward A Theology of Suffering Presenter: Kathleen Messina

Suffering comes into every life and is often part of the experiences of those whom we accompany in spiritual direction. Christians, even and especially those with deep faith, are challenged as they try to reconcile life’s suffering with a loving God. As spiritual directors we are called to a mature theology of suffering grounded in hope so that we can stand firm in faith and compassion alongside our suffering directees.

Thursday, July 11th

Morning Session Sowing Peace Through Spiritual Conversation Presenter: Sr. Odessa Stanford

The powerfully transformative art of spiritual conversation passed on by Ignatius Loyola is as meaningful for our relationships with one another and with God as it was for Ignatius and the first companions. It is a style of interacting and relating that opens the door to recognizing both the common and particular ground of our deepest desires. Ignatian spiritual conversation extends the gift of our call to spiritual direction beyond the ways and places we currently offer it.

Afternoon Session Ongoing Healing for Ministry Presenter: Becky Oates

The journey to wholeness is a lifelong assent to God’s merciful healing. The woundedness, anxiety, and fears of those whom we accompany seems particularly acute these days. We recognize ourselves as wounded healers and have benefitted from the wisdom of Fr. Groeschel, Henri Nouwen, James Finley and others. There are new voices and pathways available for us to be aware of and consider as we continue our own journey and assist those who come to us.

*Please note that due to materials, presenters' time, and programing logistics we will not offer refunds for this event