The Franciscan Center for Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction Groups

Women’s Spiritual Direction Group
Will reconvene in the Fall
Dates & Times will be announced


Men's Spirituality Group
Wednesday, July 23
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Contact: Fr. John Carroll at 617-699-5425. M - F, 9 - 5


Lunch Time Rosary Group
3rd Thursday, July 24
12:30 – 1:00 PM – Anthony Room


Introduction to Centering Prayer
Saturday, Sept. 6th, 2008: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Shrine Auditorium

Centering Prayer is a receptive prayer where one surrenders all thoughts and images to rest in a loving and abiding presence of God. -Be still and know that I am God.- Facilitators: Fr. Gene Pistacchio, ofm and Tovah Snyder. Lunch will be included. Donation of $10 requested. Enjoy a day discovering a simple prayer method enjoyed by monks and mystics through the centuries. Please join us.
Contact: Fr. Gene Pistacchio at 617-542-6440, ext. 121


Scholarship Fund

Many hours of Spiritual Direction are provided to individuals who otherwise could not access such a service without the generous donations of Friends of St. Anthony’s Shrine to the Spiritual Direction Scholarship Fund.

You may also make a donation to the Spiritual Direction Scholarship Fund in memory of a loved one. Enclose the name and address of the person you would like to receive acknowledgement of the gift and your name and address so we can send you a letter for tax purposes. Thank you for all you do to support our Spiritual Direction Ministry!

Spiritual Direction
(617) 542-6440
Ext. 115

"The Lord requires of you: Only to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God."

- Micah 6:8


About Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Direction provides a safe, confidential space in which a person can explore God’s invitation to a deeper relationship. The primary focus is recognizing God at the heart of daily life. Experienced spiritual directors are
available to companion people from all backgrounds and religious experience interested in the spiritual journey. Invitation...
Do you draw strength, peace and direction from your faith?

You may want to consider spiritual direction...

If you are interested in being companioned along the journey of faith...

If you are interested in
Growing in noticing
Staying with
And responding to
God's presence...

Come and see what spiritual direction is all about.
These are just a few of the consequences of a deepening relationship with God.

"I have come that you may have life and have it to the full." Jn 10:10

Spiritual Direction has been a vital ministry in the Church down through the ages. It is more accurately termed "spiritual companioning" because the Holy Spirit is the ultimate Director.

The person who seeks Spiritual Direction is encouraged to allow God to be the center of attention. All of life's issues are appropriately brought to Spiritual Direction. A prayerful and trusting atmosphere is sought where the goal is recognizing God at the heart of daily life.

What is required of you? A willingness to seek God through prayer and to reflect upon life experiences.

This can take place individually or in group direction. Typically, Spiritual Direction is once a month for an hour.

A Basic premise of Spiritual Direction is that:

God Is Love

  • God's love is personal
  • God's love is communicated
  • God's love is experienced
  • God's love is gift
"The Lord requires of you:
only to act justly, love tenderly and
walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:8
Relationship with God is the primary focus of Spiritual Direction.

Consideration is given to:

Awareness of God's presence
Living in the present moment
Seeing God in the ordinary
Recognizing God at work
Responding to God
Prayer and other spiritual practices result in a greater
  • reliance upon God in everyday life
  • integration of faith with all of life
  • trust and openness

Staff

Fr. Richard Flaherty OFM
Fr. Richard was ordained in 1982 and did his theological and pastoral studies at Blessed Ppe John XXIII Seminary. Ministry experiences include Prison Ministry during the Vietname War, working with special needs children and adults, Campus Ministry at St. Bonaventure University, Counseling, Retreat work and Parish Ministry.

Sr. Margretta Flanagan, MFIC
Sr. Margretta holds graduate degrees in Education, Holistic Spirituality, Spiritual Direction and is certified in focusing. Ministry experiences include extensive involvement in pastoral care, spiritual direction, directed retreats and the Spiritual Exercises.

Sr. Linda Greenwood, OSF
Sr. Linda is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. She is the Director of San Damiano House of Prayer in Lowell, MA. She studied at Sacred Heart School of Theology, WI; Fairfield University, CT; Franciscan Studies, St. Bonaventure, NY; internship at St. Francis Retreat Center, WI and ministered at the Franciscan Center in Andover as a spiritual director and retreat facilitator.

Fr. John Hogan, OFM
Fr. John's ministry experiences include: service Churches, formation director for candidates to the Franciscans, vocation director, retreat director, adult faith formation, spiritual direction and spiritual assistant for the Secular Franciscan Order. He completed his theological and pastoral studies at the Washingotn Theological Union and studied spiritual direction at Mt. Augustine Apolstolic Center in Staten Island, NY.

Bro. John Maganzini, OFM
Bro. John holds degrees in Education and Religious Studies. He holds certificates in Church Leadership from Boston College and Spiritual Direction from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Ministry experiences include teaching, adult faith formation, Catholic School leadership, religious education, retreats, days of recollection and pastoral ministry.

Fr. Raymond Mann, OFM
Ordained in 1959, Fr. Raymond has ministered in Georgia, Bolivia, Boston and New Mexico. After studying Franciscan Spiritual Direction in Cincinnati, he served as Spiritual Director at a treatment center for priests and religious. In 1991 he returned to Boston where he continues his ministry of Spiritual Direction.

Mr. Rene Perreault
Mr. Rene Perreault is a married man with children and grandchildren. His background is in Philosophy, Theology and Management . He is a certified Spiritual Director and presently serves on the Spiritual Direction Teams of St. Francis Chapel City Ministry Center in Providence and is a volunteer at the Franciscan Center for Spiritual Direction at St. Anthony Shrine. Ministry experiences include: Men's Groups, Youth Ministry, Retreats, American Catholic Theatre Producer/Director, Director of JPIC and Hospital Ministry.

Fr. Gene B. Pistacchio, OFM
Ordained in 1989, Friar Gene has been assistant pastor and spiritual assistant for the Secular Franciscans. He is an experienced youth minister, retreat leader, teacher of scripture, prayer and liturgical music. He has a Master of Divinity from Washington Theological Union and is a certified Spiritual Director.

Who, what, where, when, call...
The Franciscan Center for Spiritual Direction
WHO: People of all backgrounds and religious experience interested in growing in the spiritual life are welcome.
WHAT: Spiritual Direction provides a safe, confidential space in which to explore God’s invitation, “Come to me...” Mt 11:28
WHERE: St. Anthony Shrine
100 Arch Street
Boston, MA 02110
WHEN: Monday - Saturday
By appointment
CALL:

Fr. Richard Flaherty
Sr. Margretta Flanagan
Sr. Linda Greenwood
Fr. John Hogan
Bro. John Maganzini
Fr. Raymond Mann
Fr. Gene B. Pistacchio

(617) 542-6440, Ext. 115
For information or to make an appointment.

Dirección espiritual disponible En Español.

A fee is asked for service.

 

Saint Anthony Shrine, 100 Arch St.   Boston, MA
Please feel free to Contact Us anytime.