Spiritual Companionship and Direction
This is an opportunity to have a trained Spiritual Companion / Director accompany you in your faith journey.
What are some reasons people seek Spiritual Companioning/Direction?
- To help bridge the gap between our daily life and our faith-life
- To guide us in making decisions in alignment with our core / Christian values
- To support us in our journey in a non-judgmental way
- To be able to share in a safe and confidential setting
- To have someone to pray with and for us
- To assist us in times of transition and times of discernment
- To help us analyze healthy and unhealthy relationships
- To be there for us when we need someone to listen to us
- To encourage us to put our faith into action
- To help us recognize our beliefs and gifts
What does a Spiritual Companion/Director do?
The Spiritual Companion / Director acts as a supportive, attentive listener who creates an atmosphere where one can look honestly at his or her relationship with God. They guide, help one explore, clarify and facilitate the search for what the heart and soul seek. The focus of the time together is the individual and his or her relationship with God.
How often do people see their Spiritual Companion/Director?
The frequency of visits varies with the person and with the happenings of one’s life at a particular time. Often the sessions are scheduled monthly, more or less, based on the need of the individual. The important issue is a commitment to spiritual growth.
Does Spiritual Companioning/Direction have cost connected with it?
There is generally a fee for each one-hour session. Inability to pay is not to be a deterrent. The fee is negotiated and funding is available upon request.
Our Spiritual Companions
Jo Barto
I am a retired Catholic school teacher who is currently co-leading THE HUB where we focus on connecting our personal story to scriptures. All stories are welcomed and receive respectful listening. I also write and record The Midweek Pause, a ten-minute break of prayers and reflections. I received Spiritual Direction training and certification from Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center at Villa Maria, PA.
Meet via Zoom
Contact
Phone: 330-424-8469
Email: [email protected]
Deacon Mike Hayes
Deacon Mike Hayes has served as a spiritual director for young adults since 2013 and worked in ministry with young adults since 2000. He feels particularly called to those doing career discernment and is an Ignatian-based spiritual director who also dabbles with Franciscan and Dominican Spiritualities. Mike has been married to Marion since 2002 and is an ordained Deacon for the Diocese of Cleveland where he serves the diocese as the Director of Young Adult Ministry.
Meet in-person: West Side Cleveland, Rocky River, Avon and Cleveland – central city, OH
Also meet via Zoom
Contact
Phone: 646-671-3671
Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Sr. Kate Hine
Sr. Kate Hine, a Sister of Notre Dame has companioned young adults for over twenty years. She believes that personal prayer and listening to God’s voice in the everyday is essential to discernment and growth. Sister finds a variety of resources helpful to the journey and so may offer scripture, poetry and other reflection materials.
Meet in person: Her home in Highland Heights OH
Also meet: Zoom
Contact
Phone: 440-476-6094
Email: [email protected]
Charlotte Hobelman SND
Sr. Charlotte Hobelman, SND, MSW, is a graduate of the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University and is a certified spiritual director and retreat leader. Sister Charlotte offers the ministry of spiritual direction in-person or virtually in either English or Spanish. She walks with those seeking a deeper relationship with God through spiritual accompaniment focusing on our meeting places with God. Charlotte has served in ministry for many years with those living on the margins of society including eight years as a missionary in Nicaragua, as well as with those dealing with loss and grief.
Meet in-person: Cleveland East Side and West Side
Contact: Phone: 216-387-6815
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Rich Jerdonek
A spiritual director for more than fifteen years, I lead people in ongoing direction, the Spiritual Exercises, Busy Student Retreats at area universities, and group retreats at St. Ignatius High School and the Jesuit Retreat Center. I have served on the Alumni Spirituality Committee at St. Ignatius and Board Chair at the Jesuit Retreat Center, and am retired from a career as a management consultant. My wife and I are active volunteers serving those in need through the West Side Catholic Center, Loyola Service Team, and Project Redwood, a social venture fund of alumni of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. We especially enjoy being with our seven grandchildren.
Meet in-person: Greater Cleveland OH and Fairlawn OH [near Akron Ohio]
Also meet: Zoom
Contact: Phone: 440-364-0446
Email: [email protected]
Terrie Kiley
Terrie Kiley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Psychology (1990) from Loyola University Chicago, a certificate in Catechesis (2016) from the University of Dayton Virtual Learning Community, and a certificate in Spiritual Direction (2019) from the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University. While Terrie’s ministry is open to all God’s people wherever they are in life, she has become experienced in the area of discernment and working with women and young adults. She has been married to her husband, Chuck, since 1995 and stayed home to raise their seven children. She is grateful that her call to the formation in, and ministry of, spiritual direction has proven to be a graced integration of her education, life experiences, and spiritual journey. In addition to spending time with God, family, and friends, Terrie enjoys running, hiking, reading, gardening, and beach vacations.
Meet in-person: West Side of Akron and Akron OH
Also meet: Zoom
Contact: Phone: 330-310-8683 (phone or text)
Email: [email protected]
Rev. Bob Meyer
Rev. Bob Meyer has recently retired as a pastor, serving PCUSA churches in Colorado, Illinois, and for the last 25 years Wooster, Ohio. He is a certified spiritual director through the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University. Over the years he has led a variety of programs including retreats at the College of Wooster. He is married to Christi and they have 9 children and 10 grandchildren.
Meet by: Zoom
Contact: Phone: 330-465-8898
Email: [email protected]
John Scarano
I am married to Christine, and we have three children: Erica, Matthew and Sarah. I served as the Director of Campus Ministry at John Carroll University for 20 years. Prior to JCU, I served in Youth Ministry for 5 years in Miami, Fl, and as a Campus Ministry Director in Miami and Illinois for another 17 years. I have an MA in Theology from the University of Notre Dame with a concentration in Scripture. I have been engaged in Spiritual Direction and in leading young people through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius for the past 15 years.
Meet in-person: East Side of Cleveland OH
Also meet: Zoom
Contact: Phone: 440-241-9578
Email: [email protected]
Mary Ann Spangler HM
Sr. Mary Ann Spangler, a Sister of the Humility of Mary, brings years of educational, parish, and retreat/spiritual direction experience. She obtained a master’s degree at Kent State University and a spiritual direction certification from the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University. She has also served as Vocation Minister for the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. Some focus areas are prayer, relationships, discernment and transitions in life.
Meet in-person: Northeast Ohio
Also meet: Zoom
Contact: Phone: 440-356-6560
Email: [email protected]
Sr. Jeanne Thurin HM
Sister Jeanne Thurin HM, a Sister of the Humility of Mary, comes to spiritual companioning by way of many years teaching in elementary schools and on-the-farm with Farm-Based Environmental Education. She received a master’s degree in Religious Education from LaSalle University and graduated from the Spiritual Direction Formation Program at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center as a certified spiritual director. She offers spiritual companioning/direction in-person or virtually and has a special interest in the relationship of
dreams to personal spirituality. She currently works with Sister Mary Ann Spangler with HM
Young Adult Ministry. Her hobbies include cooking and baking, and creating animal balloons and laughter as JOT the Clown.
Meet in-person: Cleveland area
Also meet: Zoom
Contact: Phone: 330-610-3209
Email: [email protected]
Deborah Zawislan
Deborah is a Humility of Mary Associate as well as a Covenant Companion, a certified spiritual director, and a certified executive and wellness coach. In addition to traditional spiritual direction, she has directed Busy Student Retreats throughout Ohio. Her expertise is in Ignatian 8-day silent retreats as well as in women’s leadership development with a focus on work-life integration. Deborah is a wife, a mother of a young adult, dog lover, a gardener, and a beekeeper.
Meet in-person: Far West Side of Cleveland OH and the Lorain/Elyria OH area
Also meet: Zoom
Contact: Phone: 216-469-2509
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]