About Spiritual Companionship
Spiritual Companionship 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 walking with a spiritual companion.
If you are interested in being more attentive to notice the spiritual movements in your journey of faith...
If you are interested in
Growing in listening
Staying with
And responding to
God's presence...
Come and see what Franciscan Spiritual Companionship 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 companionship....It is more accurately a ministry of listening, guiding, and supporting rather than directing people. It is less about problem solving and more about staying with one's questions, life struggles and the inner terrain of the heart. Through attentive listening, observance of sacred silence, openess to inspiration, the slow process of discernment and deep gratitude, one learns to rest in God and follow the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit who is the true and ultimate Spiritual Director!
The person who seeks an exciting and vital spiritual journey is encouraged to allow God to be the center of attention.
All of life's issues are brought
to Spiritual Companionship. 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 spiritual companionship group
exercises. Typically, individual spiritual companionship is once
a month for an hour.
A Basic premise of companionship in the spiritual journey 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 companionship.
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 C. Flaherty, OFM
Fr. Richard was ordained in 1982 and did his theological and pastoral studies at Blessed Pope John XXIII Seminary.
Ministry experiences include Prison Ministry during the Vietnam War, working with special needs children and adults, Campus Ministry at St. Bonaventure University, Counseling, Retreat work and Parish Ministry. Fr. Richard received his certification as a Spiritual Companion from Cardinal Stritch University, WI.
Fr. Francis M. McHugh,OFM
Ordained in 1976, Fr. Frank has served in various ministries including teaching, Service Church ministry, Formation Director for men entering the Franciscans, Pastor, and Adult Faith Formation. He was certified as a Spiritual Director in 2004 while he was the Director of Worship at St. Anthony Shrine.
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 companioning and spiritual assistant for the Secular Franciscan Order. He completed his theological and pastoral studies at the Washington Theological Union
and studied spiritual companioning at Mt. Augustine Apostolic 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 Companioning 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 Companioning 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
Companioning.
Mr. Robert Giers, csd
A retired Civil Engineer for the City of Boston BPWD. He is a single father with children and grandchildren. He holds a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the San Damiano House of Prayer and Cardinal Stritch University. Bob is a former CCD teacher and a leader of Living with Christ program at his local parish. He has continued
Educational studies at Boston College Master of Arts in Ministry program at St John Seminary in Brighton, Mass. Bob's Ministry Experience includes Prison ministry, Cursillo, Men's Groups, Disability ministry and the Michael Judge Recovery Center.
Fr. Gene B. Pistacchio, OFM
Ordained to the priesthood in 1989, Gene was an assistant pastor in New Jersey and Virginia. He was spiritual assistant for the Secular Franciscans and is presently Ecclessiastical Assistant for the Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ, a Franciscan Secular Institute founded in Assisi. Gene enjoys retreat and prison ministries. He facilitates Centering Prayer and also ministers with Retrouvaille of New England, a ministry for troubled couples to save troubled marriages. He holds a Master of Divinity Degree from the Washington Theological Union and a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Companionship from the Shalem Institute of Spiritual Formation.
Mrs. Nancy Nichols Kearns
Nancy Nichols Kearns is a recently retired school administrator. She is married with children and grandchildren. She is experienced in curricula for youth faith formation and for adults as coordinator of the ARISE program for her parish. She leads a Centering Prayer group and is the Coordinator for Contemplative Outreach of New England. She is an active member of the Cursillo community and has participated in the Michael Judge ministry. She is a Certified Spiritual Director through the Cardinal Stritch University.
Bro. Daniel F. Murray, O.F.M.
Bro. Daniel has been a Franciscan Friar since 1973. In his time as a Friar, he has served in various parishes as teacher, religious education coordinator, and youth minister. He has served as a formator for candidates to Holy Name Province Franciscans both in the U.S. and in Peru. He received his certification as a Spiritual Director from Cardinal Stritch University, WI.
Fr. Barry Langley, O.F.M.
Prior to joining the Friars, Fr. Barry worked as an attorney in New Jersey for five years. After receiving his M.Div. degree in 1993 from the Washington Theological Union and being ordained in 1994, he has worked as a pastor, chairman of the board of a Catholic community hospital, done prison ministry, and led adult faith formation in three parishes. He received his certificate in Spiritual Companioning from Cardinal Stritch University, WI. He is also coordinator of the Seniors Program, the GLBT Ministry, and Tony's Travelers at the Shrine.
Who, what,
where, when, call...
| The
Franciscan Spiritual Companionship Ministry |
| WHO: |
People of all backgrounds and religious
experience interested in growing in the spiritual
life are welcome. |
| WHAT: |
Spiritual Companionship 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 C. Flaherty, OFM
Fr. Francis M. McHugh, OFM
Sr. Linda Greenwood, OSF
Mrs. Nancy Nichols Kearns
Fr. John Hogan, OFM
Br. Daniel Murray, OFM
Br. John Maganzini, OFM
Mr. Bob Giers, csd
Fr. Barry Langley, OFM
Fr. Raymond Mann, OFM
Fr. Gene B. Pistacchio, OFM
(617) 542-6440, Ext. 121
For information or to make an appointment.
Dirección espiritual disponible En Español.
A fee is asked for service.
|
