Spiritual direction added to Consultation Center

Until recently, the Consultation Center offered only workshops and psychological counseling for groups or individuals. But according to Sister Kitty Hanley, CSJ, the center's directors learned that many similar centers across the country are providing both therapy and spiritual direction.

Sister Kitty, one of nine spiritual directors offering their services through the new program, noted that there is a growing desire for spiritual direction among Catholics of the Diocese.

"A lot of it comes from things like Renew 2000," she said. "People are realizing that their spiritual journey is important, and they would like to talk to somebody about it."

Guide for soul

Sister Kitty told The Evangelist that she has participated in spiritual direction for many years and finds it most helpful "when you're in a period of transition, a spiritual rut, a period of major decision-making."

Spiritual direction also reaches across religious lines. After pamphlets describing the new program were mailed out recently, one of the first inquiries about it came from a rabbi.

Open to all

"It is a professional ministry within the Church, open to all people -- not just priests and sisters," she said. "It can be of great assistance. A person, by honestly sharing what their experience of God is like and how they're finding God in everyday life, can mine those experiences and find how God is leading them."

Sister Danielle noted that getting involved in spiritual direction is like committing to exercise: "People say, `I really ought to develop a good exercise pattern. They go to the gym once a week, and then it's three weeks before they go again. Then they say, `I've got to, for my own sake, make a serious effort at this.' It helps us say to ourselves, `I am going to make myself accountable'" for developing a relationship with God.

(People interested in the program can call the Consultation Center for an "intake evaluation," and the name and address of a spiritual director who may be right for them. In addition to Sisters Kitty and Danielle, the list of directors presently includes Sister Maria DeMonte, OP; Sister Francis Anne Gilchrist, CSJ; Rev. Joseph McKay; Sister Constance Messitt, CSJ; Sister Christine Partisano, CSJ; Elizabeth Simcoe; and Marianne Zoltowski. To learn more, call the diocesan Consultation Center at 489-4431.)

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