Spiritual Direction

Call: (320)632-0680 | Email: fpminfo@fslf.org

Spiritual Direction supports you, especially in times of

discernment
transition
renewal
loss
discovery
a hunger for something more

Spiritual Direction offers you:

attentive listening with a trained director
safe explorative conversation without attachment to answers
space to discover your inner wisdom and God’s voice in your life

Spiritual Directors

For more information about spiritual directors in the area, please contact us.

Jamie Deering

(currently offering spiritual direction)

Jamie’s heart is to companion others in times of transition and renewal. Coming from curiosity and a commitment to live in appreciative inquiry, she asks questions to explore what is coming up. She offers reframing for thoughts and mirrors back invitations for action. She completed her spiritual direction certificate at St. Placid Priory (Lacey, WA) and a two-year program to lead contemplative groups and retreats to inspire transformation in the world. Her varied background of Peace Corps service, business ownership, and healing arts and her consistent ‘yes’ to new adventures makes her a good fit for someone exploring out of the box thinking. She welcomes everyone to the conversation.

Michelle L’Allier

(not currently offering spiritual direction)

Sister Michelle, a Franciscan Sister since 1987, loves accompanying people in their spiritual journey. She completed her spiritual direction training at the Pecos School for Spiritual Directors in Pecos, New Mexico. Michelle has an MA in Theology from St. John’s School of Theology in Collegeville Minnesota and a certificate in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure University’s Franciscan Institute in New York. She lives in an intentional community of Sisters and other adults in St. Cloud Minnesota and serves in pastoral, retreat, cross-cultural missions, and congregational leadership.

Common Questions about Spiritual Direction

Q: What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual direction is a one-on-one companioning process for anyone who yearns for a more conscious and intentional relationship with self and Divine Presence. As you reflect on your life experiences, Spiritual directors listen attentively and ask explorative questions without attachment to answers in support of spiritual growth. It cultivates deep listening into the stories, events, thoughts, and feelings of your life, nurturing your inner wisdom and hearing the voice of God in your life.

Q: How do I discern the best fit for a spiritual director?

Reflect and Contact Us

Begin by reflecting on the qualities you might seek in a spiritual director. What is the one thing now that seems to call you to spiritual direction? What life experience or perspective would the spiritual director need to have for you to feel supported in your exploration? Would any quality be non-negotiable for you? Spend some time journaling or in conversation with a trusted person.

Then, contact the Franciscan Programs Ministry office to get started. Knowing that the Spirit is at work in this process, we will listen and help you get in touch with a trained director for a free initial conversation to explore your interest and answer questions you might have. If after the initial meeting, it seems a mutually good fit, you might continue meeting together. Otherwise, this director can draw from what you learned together to recommend someone else.

Q: Is there a cost?

The recommended donation for spiritual direction is $45-75 for individual sessions. Those who are able often give more and thanks to such generosity, assistance is available for others. We offer a free initial conversation with a director.

Q: What types of Spiritual Direction are there?

Individual Spiritual Direction

This one-on-one experience is for spiritually hungry individuals seeking an experienced companion to journey with them. It is a time for intentionally exploring the movement of and listening to the Spirit in one’s life. It can also be a way to seek and discern new paths. Sessions are confidential and generally last an hour.

Group Spiritual Direction

Occasionally, we offer programs that include group spiritual direction. In them, a spiritual director guides a group process of listening and reflecting on your spiritual journey. The goal is to become more aware, open, and responsive in Divine Presence.