Sponsored by The Racine Dominicans
at Siena Center

SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE TRAINING PROGRAM

A Two-Year Program
January 2009-November 2010

This is a seasoned program, taking participants through a two-year cycle that deepens and broadens their spiritual insight through study, sharing, ritualizing, and practice in companioning others in the spiritual journey.

Below is information regarding: Purpose, Approach, For Whom,
Content, Schedule, Program Staff, Cost, and Contact.

PURPOSE

The intent of this Spiritual Guidance Training Program is:

• To enrich the spiritual life and theological awareness of the participants
   
• To offer resources, experience, and support which can prepare participants to sensitively and skillfully practice the art of spiritual guidance
   
• To enhance participants' ability to companion another in diverse ministries

A Certificate of Completion will be given at the end of the training program.

APPROACH

Story is the sacred process in which the Divine is revealed. Story is foundational to the program, and it is the heart of spiritual guidance.

Recognizing the evolutionary story of our Universe, the developing of faith traditions, and the unfolding of our personal and communal stories in light of our world today, participants prepare to listen and respond as companions and witnesses to the stories of spiritual seekers.

Belief in God's unconditional love for and presence in creation is a core belief. The Program is based in the Christian tradition and is enriched by embracing the diversity available in various faith perspectives, feminist theology, the New Cosmology, and a holistic aproach to life. Several learning styles are utilized in the integration of this material.

FOR WHOM

The Spiritual Guidance Training Program is available to women and men who sense a call to spiritual guidance ministry and who wish to explore that call, engage in personal spiritual growth, and enhance the knowledge and skills needed for this ministry.

In addition, this program is for persons who:

• Have some theological background
• Desire an integrative body-mind-spirit approach
• Appreciate learning with others from different faith traditions and diverse backgrounds
• Have experienced and are willing to engage in personal spiritual direction
• Have considerable life experience and a willingness to share reflectively
• Are well grounded in faith
• Have an interest in and willingness to do readings between sessions

CONTENT

Year One offers the theological base of this program and includes process groups. Year Two offers knowledge pertinent to the practice of spiritual guidance, and group assistance as participants begin seeing persons seeking a spiritual guide. Topics addressed in these two years reflect the following:

Introduction to spiritual guidance and the art of listening
The Universe Story
God story in the 21st century
Jesus' story and the Cosmic Christ
Personal sacred story; spiritual journey                                                                         Spirituality of power                                                                                                             Focusing                                                                                                                                Enneagram and spiritual guidance
Sexuality and spirituality
Role of desire and resistance
Discernment in spiritual development                                                                               Shame and guilt                                                                                                            Forgiveness
Global vision and justice

Retreat experiences are included throughout the two years.

SCHEDULE

This training program consists of monthly residency sessions, January to June and September to November; there is no meeting in the month of Easter.

2009 Gatherings
Jan 9-11               June 4-7
Feb 19-21            Sept 10-12
Mar 27-29            Oct 9-11
May 7-9                Nov 19-22
   

2010 Gatherings
Jan 8-10                June 3-6
Feb 11-13             Sept 9-11
Mar 19-21             Oct 8-10
May 6-8                 Nov 18-21

PROGRAM STAFF

Miriam Brown, MA in Religious Studies, is a Sinsinawa Dominican on the retreat staff of Siena Center. She is trained in spiritual direction and has many years' experience in retreats, faith exploration, and spiritual conpanioning.

Judith Christopher, MDiv., is an ordained United Methodist clergywoman and experienced spiritual guide. She is founder of Beyond the Walls Ministry, providing spiritual guidance, reiki, retreats, and workshop leadership. She is the mother of four adult children.

Sharon Gray, MA in Theology, is a Sister of Charity from Nazareth, Kentucky. Sharon is currently Adjunct Faculty at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, teaching spiritual companioning in the Spirituality Department, and is on staff at the Claret Center. She has years of experience as a spiritual guide, teacher, and retreat leader. Sharon holds a doctorate in music education.

Rita Lui, MA in Sacred Studies, is Director of the Retreat Program at Siena Center. A Racine Dominican sister, she is the on-site coordinator of this program and involved in its planning.

Colleen McGeady-Ambrose is a spiritual director on staff at the Claret Center, Chicago, and facilitates retreats and workshops. Her spiritual guidance training is from the Institute of Spiritual Companioning, Wilmette, and from the Claret Center. Her theological training comes from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. In addition, Colleens holds a Master of Management degree, and is a wife and mother.

COST

Total cost of the two-year Residency Program:

Application fee: $75.00    After July 31,  $100.00

Tuition, room, meals, and retreats:    $5000.00
         Payable in four equal installments or as arranged

Make all checks payable to Racine Dominican Retreat Program.

Books and personal spiritual direction are additional.

Upon acceptance, a $250 enrollment fee is due and will be applied to tuition.

28 participants will be accepted for the program.

Application forms are currently available.

CONTACT

For information or to apply, call or write:
Spirituality Guidance Training Program
Siena Center - Retreats
5635 Erie St.
Racine, WI 53402

(262) 639-4100 x1230
rlui@racinedominicans.org