Spiritual Direction

“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2)

Fathers William Barry and William Connolly, in their book The Practice of Spiritual Direction, define spiritual direction as:

“Help given by one Christian to another which enables that person to pay attention to God’s personal communication to him or her, to respond to this personally communicating God, to grow in intimacy with this God, and to live out the consequences of that relationship.”

Building on this thought, it is good to keep in mind that the real director in the spiritual direction relationship is the Holy Spirit.  The primary relationship is between the Holy Spirit and the directee, the secondary relationship between the director and directee.

Here are some basic “dos and don’ts” of spiritual direction:

Spiritual direction can be

• An experience that over time, helps the directee become more attentive to God’s presence and action in your life.
• Facilitates the growth of the directee’s relationship with God and can lead to a greater appreciation for the role of the sacraments in your life.
• A contemplative approach rather than a psychological approach
• Facilitates the formation of growth (and/or development) in both the human and divine likeness of Christ.
• A process of seeking to understand and follow God’s will in all aspects of life.
• Something that flows from and enriches religious experience.
• A discernment of the movement of the Holy Spirit working in the life of the directee.
• A relationship of trust that involves a commitment to be open and candid.

Spiritual direction is not

• Directive in terms of telling a person what to do.
• Psychological counseling 
• Pastoral or crisis counseling
• Life coaching
• The sacrament of penance. However, if your spiritual director is a priest, you may discuss with him how the sacrament of reconciliation may fit into the direction setting.
• Primarily advisory (although some suggestions might be offered)
• Primarily informative (although there can be “teachable moments”)
• Relinquishing of personal responsibility
• Always comfortable

For more information, contact Erin McGeever, Director of Christian Formation: emcgeever@dosafl.com.

Approved Training Programs for Spiritual Directors

Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute | Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center (bonsecoursrcc.org)
Faith Formation (immaculateconceptioncenter.org) (Steubenville)
Sacred Presence: Spiritual Director Formation | San Pedro Center | Winter Park, Florida
School of Mary – a site specialising in spiritual life
School of Spiritual Direction – MARIAN SERVANTS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE®
Spiritual Direction Graduate Certificate | Spring Hill College | Alabama (shc.edu)
Spiritual Direction, Directed Retreats (Cert) | CreightonSpiritual Direction, Directed Retreats (Cert) | Creighton
Spiritual Direction Certificate – Divine Mercy University
Audire Spiritual Direction
Ignatius House, Atlanta

Trained Spiritual Directors   January, 2025

Sr. Tina Alfieri, diocesan hermit
Queen of Peace, Gainesville
352-318-1500 (cell)
tmalfieri@yahoo.com

Ted Benning
St. Francis Mission, Yulee
678-878-9023
trbiii@gmail.com

Christene Beyrer
Santa Maria del Mar
352-931-5789
cbeyrer@gmail.com

Annmarie Brennan
Santa Maria del Mar
352-318-1652
annmarie.brennan@icloud.com

Janice Capano
St. William Parish, St. Simon’s Island
770-500-5468
jcapano06@hotmail.com

Patty DeHaan
Holy Faith, Gainesville
(352)514-0335
pattyddehaan62@gmail.com

Father Al Esposito
Queen of Peace
(Spanish and English)
352-332-6279
fral@qopparish.org

Candace Flanagan
Santa Maria del Mar
386-986-8527

Paula Fuller
Cathedral and Shrine
paulafuller8@gmail.com

Susan Hagerty
Our Lady Star of the Sea
sah1157@aol.com

Dcn John Harvey
Santa Maria del Mar
386-439-2791
deaconjohn@smdmcc.org

Diana Hennig
St. Anastasia Parish
Marian Servant of the Blessed Sacrament
(904)217-4343
gunnerdi005@gmail.com

Christopher Fernandez
St. Patrick Parish, Jacksonville
954-633-0991
mathmajorc@yahoo.com

Sister Joan Gabbin, SFCC
Our Lady Star of the Sea
904-280-7321 (home)
904-881-0921 (cell)

Mary Griggs
Blessed Trinity Parish
(904)710-4284
marycgriggs@comcast.net

Diane Hemsoth
St. Joseph Parish
dhemsoth@comcast.net

Rhode L. Jean-Aleger
St. Joseph Parish
rj551@nyu.edu

Jeannie Johnson
Santa Maria del Mar
386-986-7205
jeanjohnson450@gmail.com

Kathleen Patneau
St. John Paul II
904-614-0241
kpatneau@comcast.net

Kathy Richards
St. Joseph Parish
kathy@olearyrichards.com

Mary Rousseau
St. Joseph Parish
maryrousseau1@gmail.com

Mary Shaw
(Gainesville)
peaceofjesus@gmail.com

Gladys Stewart
St. Joseph Parish
(Spanish and English)
904-824-1752 (work)
904-260-9724 (home)

Fr. Herberto Vergara
St. Francis Xavier Parish
(Spanish)
heribertovergara@yahoo.es

Sisters of St. Joseph Renewal Center in St. Augustine

Spiritual Directors are available through St. Joseph Renewal Center
234 St. George Street
St. Augustine, Fl 32084
Contact: Sister Florence Bryan, SSJ
904-824-5894
stjosephrenewal@ssjfl.org

Fiat Center: Mercedarian Sisters

1211 NW 10th Avenue, Gainesville
(352) 451-4544

Stipends should be negotiated with individual spiritual directors.