Sponsored by The Racine Dominicans
at Siena Center

SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE TRAINING PROGRAM

A Two-Year Program
January 2009-November 2010 now in progress

We are currently accepting applications for our sixth Spiritual Guidance Training Program, to be held from January 2011 to November 2012. This is a seasoned program that deepens and broadens participants' spiritual insight through study, sharing, ritualizing, and practice in companioning others in their spiritual journey.

APPROACH

An ecumenical staff leads this two-year program, based on the Christian tradition and enriched by various faith perspectives. Permeating the process and content of the program is a belief in the sacredness of all creation and of human experience as the place of God's revelation. Belief in God's unconditional love for and presence in creation is foundational.

Candidates for this program will need some theological background. Training consists of eight annual three-day sessions and utilizes several learning styles throughout. Graduates receive a certificate of completion.

 FOUNDATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

Story is a sacred process in which the Divine is revealed. Story is foundational to the program, and it is at 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 core. The Program is based in the Christian tradition and is enriched by embracing the diversity available in various faith perspectives,  the New Cosmology, and a holistic approach 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, 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 begins with several topics which form the theological base of the program.  After this foundation, the program addresses topics particularly pertinent to the practice of spiritual guidance. 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
 Enneagram and spiritual guidance
Prayer
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

Gatherings alternate between Friday-Sunday and Thursday-Saturday.

2011
Jan 7-9
Feb 17-19
Mar 25-27
May 5-7
June 2-5
Sept 8-10
Oct 7-9
Nov 17-20 

2012
Jan 6-8
Feb 16-18
Mar 23-25
Apr 26-28
June 7-10
Sept 6-8
Oct 12-14
Nov 15-18

COMPONENTS OF A GATHERING

Every gathering begins and ends with prayer together and sharing. Forming a community of trust is essential for this two-year journey.

Substantial reading and formal input provide the academic component of the program.  This formal input is given by a variety of presenters with expertise in the field.

Participants interact in two small groups:
   - Integration group – a place to integrate the readings, presentations and one’s own life experience.  A staff member facilitates the group.
   - Practicum group – a place in year one to practice spiritual guidance with each other.  In year two, when participants are guiding people outside the program, the practicum group offers a reflective process called peer assistance.  A staff member works with the group. Some of the practicum training also takes place in the total group.

Each participant meets regularly with a staff member for supervision.

Centering prayer, T’ai Chi, drumming, quiet time, and informal sharing all help make the gathering and the program a rich formative experience.
 

PROGRAM STAFF

The staff consists of certified practicing spiritual guides with strong theological backgrounds and extensive experience in spiritual guidance. Core staff:

Sharon Gray, SCN, DME,
              Program Coordinator 
Miriam Brown, OP, MA
Colleen McGeady-Ambrose, MM  
Rita Lui, OP, MA, Retreat Program Director

For some topics there will be guest presenters.

COST:

Total cost of the two-year Residency Program:

Application fee   $75.00
             after July 31  $100.00
Tuition, room, meals, and retreats  $5,000.00
 
Payable in four equal installments or as arranged.   Upon acceptance, a $250 enrollment fee is due and will be applied to tuition.

Books and personal spiritual direction are additional.                                              

For information or to apply, call or write:

Spiritual Guidance Training Program
Siena Center - Retreats
5635 Erie St.
Racine, WI 53402
(262) 639-4100 x1230
rlui@racinedominicans.org