Spiritual direction is sometimes described as holy listening, spiritual friendship or sacred journeying. Whatever it is called, spiritual direction offers a time and place to step back and take notice of the sacred in our lives and an opportunity to become aware of the wonderful and surprising ways God is present.

In the busyness of our everyday lives, it is often difficult to recognize the sacred story of our relationship with God and to acknowledge this relationship openly. Spiritual direction gives us a time to notice where God is present in our lives. The spiritual director is a companion of this journey, listening, encouraging. This kind of reflection and awareness often leads to new discernment of what God is calling us to be as we live our story in our family, community and workplace.

You may seek spiritual direction in a time of challenge, of struggles or decisions to be made. Taking some "time out" and having someone listening to you without judgment allows you to reflect on your life events, your response to them, acknowledge your thoughts and emotions and to find God in all of it.

Gifts of Spiritual Direction

• Notice and savor your experience of God
• Bring your spirituality into your everyday life
• Find understanding, encouragement and affirmation
• Share challenges, losses and disappointments
• Celebrate joys and growth
• Grow in relationship with God, yourself, and others