Spiritual Direction |
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Spiritual direction has had a long and esteemed history within Christianity. Despite its name, it is not one person telling another what to do. Rather, it is a dialogue through which we discover and discuss with a director the action of God’s Spirit in our life. The director is only a facilitator in the process, or as Thomas Merton aptly says,
"The director is merely ‘God’s usher’, confirming and validating where God is calling me.”
During each monthly meeting, the director and the directee seek to enter into a prayerful conversation attentive to the Holy Spirit who is, in fact the Real Director. We invite you to examine the question, "What is God up to in my life?"
Mayslake Ministries is a leader in the field of Spiritual Direction, with seventeen certified spiritual directors on staff, each skilled in a wide variety of areas including: grief, addiction, adoption and infertility, elder issues, military, oncology issues, Women’s and Men’s Spirituality. We also have a licensed Pastoral Counselor on staff . First sessions are complimentary; a suggested donation of $50 is accepted for sessions thereafter. |
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Call Dr. Mary Amore at 630-268-9000
to schedule an ppointment. All calls are held in the strictest of confidence. Dr. Amore will talk with you and determine who best to match you with for your first, complimentary visit. |
| Jill Bates, D. Min. |
Jill Bates, D. Min. is an experienced presenter in the areas of Women’s Spirituality and Lay Ministry. Jill earned her Doctor of Ministry degree in ecumenical studies from the Graduate Theological Foundation and a Master of Pastoral Studies degree in spirituality from Loyola University. Her goal as a Spiritual director is to companion others on their journey towards a life lived peacefully and abundantly in body, mind, soul and spirit. She believes that we connect with God when we are open and receptive, and Spiritual direction affords us that opportunity. During her career she has been a director of adult faith formation, a Chaplain and a coordinator of hospital Catholic ministries. Jill has worked extensively in ministries for caregivers women's retreats and companioning clergy of many denominations on their pastoral journeys. |
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| Fr. Tom Borkowski |
Fr. Tom Borkowski is a priest of the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph, Missouri and is involved in spiritual direction, retreat work, adult religious education and faith formation. His training in spiritual guidance was at the Shalem Institute of Spiritual Formation. Fr. Tom holds a Master of Education in Special Education from the Univ. of Missouri - Columbia, a Master of Divinity from the Pontifical College Josephinum, and post graduate studies in Carmelite spirituality and contemplative prayer. |
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| Fr. Pat Brennan |
Fr. Pat Brennan holds doctorates in Pastoral Ministry and Psychology. The author of more than 15 books and articles, Fr. Pat is the director of the National Center for Evangelization and Parish Renewal. He also currently serves as the Director of Development at Mayslake Ministries. Fr. Pat is the former pastor of Holy Family Parish in Inverness.
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| Eugenia Callison |
Eugenia Callison holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Claret Center. She is< an accomplished music therapist who works with the emotional and social needs of an individual. Eugenia has done extensive work in the area of bereavement, and joins our staff as a spiritual director specializing in the spiritual needs of military families. |
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| Mary Beth Desmond |
Mary Beth Desmond is a registered nurse at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital providing highly personalized compassionate care for her patients. She holds a Master’s Degree in Spirituality from Loyola University, and is in the process of completing her Master’s in Nursing from Lewis University. Mary Beth has a passion for tending to the human spirit, both the pati ent’s and the caregiver’s. She is the co-facilitator of our new ministry program exclusively for home caregivers. |
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| Dennis Erwin |
Dennis Erwin's diverse ministry involves serving Mayslake Ministries as a spiritual director, providing consulting services to faith-based hospital systems Advocate Healthcare and Franciscan Alliance, and teaching in the Leadership, Ethics, and Values graduate program at North Central College. Spirituality has been the focus of Dennis’ graduate studies at Loyola University Chicago and Catholic Theological Union. He has attempted to integrate this work with his doctorate in healthcare leadership and change management from Rush University Medical Center. Dennis is particularly interested in spirituality, personal spiritual formation, prayer and discernment and how those are integrated into our work lives, leadership, and healthcare. |
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| Fr. Jonathan Foster, OFM |
Fr. Jonathan Foster, OFM is a priest of the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart and the founder and former director of Mayslake Ministries. He received his Ph.D. in Adult Education and Development from the University of Chicago and continues to be involved in adult spiritual formati on in myriad levels. Fr. Jonathan has been active as a writer, publishing articles in several journals. He also presents weekend retreats, book studies, and is an experienced spiritual director. |
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| Christine Grano |
Christine Grano received her Spiritual Direction Certificate from the Christos Center for Spiritual Formation. Trained in Christian Lay Counseling & Inner Healing Prayer, Chris is also an accomplished musician and singer. Chris co-presents retreats with Fr. Jonathan, facilitates women’s retreats & offers a variety of programs in the area of spirituality. Married and the mother of two adult children, Chris holds a B.S. from the University of Illinois. Chris’ faith life and ministry is deeply rooted in 12 Step Spirituality. |
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| Chris Hannigan-Wiehn |
Chris Hannigan-Wiehn is a Lay Franciscan Associate who holds a certificate in spiritual direction from the Claret Center, and Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University. A graduate of the Diocese of Joliet New Wine Program, Chris is currently attending Catholic Theological Union. An experienced spiritual director, Chris specializes in women’s spirituality and issues of grief and addiction. |
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| Lois Hodgson |
Lois Hodgson completed a two-year spiritual directi on training program at the Institute of Spiritual Companionship and has a Master of Arts degree in Spirituality from Loyola University. Lois is on staff at Epiphany Lutheran Church, ELCA, as the Director of Spirituality and Discipleship. At Epiphany she off ers spiritual direction, leads small groups, leads retreats, teaches classes focused on spiritual growth and helps to coordinate and teach a discipleship program. She loves canoeing, kayaking, cycling, hiking and camping. Lois works full time in a corporate setting. Married and the mother of 4 adult children, Lois is the facilitator of our Wilderness Retreats. |
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| Christine Hopkins |
Christine Hopkins received her B.S. in Nursing from the College of St. Teresa, Winona, Minn., a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and has a certificate in Spiritual Direction. Married for 35 years Chris has worked as a Pastoral Associate for 5 years and as the Director of the Emmaus Formation for Ministry at CTU for 3 years. Christine works exclusively in the far southern suburbs. |
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| Phil Jackson |
Phil Jackson is a Mayslake Ministries affiliate and a Coordinator for Contemplative Outreach in Chicago. Phil is also a Teaching Elder in Richard Rohr’s Men as Learners and Elders. A graduate of Catholic Theological Union, Phil has been commissioned by the Institute of Spiritual Companionship. Trained as an engineer, Phil Jackson is married and the father of four young adults. |
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| Dr. Barbara Jarvis-Pauls |
Dr. Barbara Jarvis-Pauls is a Pastoral Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, received her Master in Counseling Psychology from Lewis University and her Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling from Graduate Theological Foundation. Barbara provides individual, marital, and family counseling. She is experienced in working with families in transition or crisis who are coping with issues of death, divorce, single parenting, remarriage or blended families and annulment advocacy. Dr. Jarvis-Pauls is a member of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers, Illinois Counseling Association, Illinois Mental Health Association, and the National Board of Certified Counselors. She completed the Internal Family Systems Therapy Certificati on Program. Dr. Jarvis-Pauls is married, a mother, and a grandmother. |
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| Gail Krema |
Gail Krema holds a Master of Arts in Spirituality from Loyola University, a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from The Institute for Spiritual Leadership, and a BS in Nursing from the College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN. Gail has passion for Ignatian Spirituality/The Spiritual Exercises, and works with The Ignatian Volunteer Corps and the Ignatian Spirituality Project. She considers it a privilege to hold the sacred story of another in spiritual direction, and feels called to contribute to the healing of those returning from military service (especially those with the hidden wounds of Mild-Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). |
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| Sr. Valerie Kulbacki, SSJ-TOSF |
Sr. Valerie Kulbacki, SSJ-TOSF is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. She received her Certificate in Spiritual Companioning from the Diocese of Joliet, and her Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling. She has specialized in grief work surrounding death, divorce and other life-changing events, also serving those struggling with issues of co-dependency, addiction, and life situations which compromise one’s spiritual and emotional well-being. |
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| JoAnne McElroy |
JoAnne McElroy is an imaginative presenter, spiritual director, educator, and life coach. JoAnne holds a Master of Arts in Spirituality from Loyola University and Certificate in Spiritual Direction. With extensive experience in adult faith formation programs, workshops and retreats, JoAnne is married, and the mother of three adult children and a grandmother. |
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| Sandy Reed |
Sandy Reed holds a Master of Arts in Spirituality from Loyola University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. A registered nurse, Sandy has worked with hospice patients, and specializes in areas of grief and the elderly. Sandra is married, and works at the LaSalle Street Church and Senior Center as a spiritual director. |
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| Dr. Tricia Treft |
Dr. Tricia Treft is an experienced chaplain and spiritual director. Tricia holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, and a Master of Divinity from Andrews University. She is currently completing a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling from Concordia University. Tricia also holds a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Institute of Spiritual Companioning. She specializes in adoption and infertility issues with men and women, and counsels oncology patients. Dr. Treft is married and works at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital as Pastoral Care Manager and Special Projects Director. |
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| Don Vicha |
Don Vicha received his Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Christos in 2007 and has been a facilitator in the training of spiritual directors through the Christos Tending the Holy program in the Chicagoland area. He is also on the Board of Directors of Christos. A member of First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn for 17 years, he is married with two grown sons. His interests include men’s spirituality, wilderness contemplative prayer, and explorati on of using the Web to conduct spiritual direction for those in the mission field. |
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| Jane Zimmerman, RN, MSN |
Jane Zimmerman, RN, MSN, has a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Claret Center. She is enrolled in a Master of Arts for Spiritual Direction at Loyola University. She is certified to provide training and assessment related to intercultural competency. She has also had training in various approaches to meditation and healing. Jane has worked with young adults and parents of young children, although she feels called to be with anyone who desires to grow spiritually. |
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