Comments on: Catechists and Spiritual Direction http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/09/17/catechists-and-spiritual-direction/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:28:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Joe http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/09/17/catechists-and-spiritual-direction/comment-page-1/#comment-2731 Joe Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:05:22 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1643#comment-2731 Pete, I understand what you're saying. I would encourage you to look around for other opportunities for spiritual direction that may be available for a lesser cost or no cost at all from various retreat centers or other resources that your diocese may be able to refer you to. Pete, I understand what you’re saying. I would encourage you to look around for other opportunities for spiritual direction that may be available for a lesser cost or no cost at all from various retreat centers or other resources that your diocese may be able to refer you to.

]]> By: Pete http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/09/17/catechists-and-spiritual-direction/comment-page-1/#comment-2726 Pete Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:15:20 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1643#comment-2726 Sorry Joe, but our (wealthy) parish does not provide remuneration to catechists for spiritual direction, and the going rate for spiritual direction seems to be in the neighborhood of $75-$100/hour. That is not a donation. Some people seem to be making a career out of spiritual direction. Again, I don't think Jesus would do that. Because I give a lot of time to the Church I don't make as much as I otherwise might (I'm self-employed), and I can't afford such fees. Sorry Joe, but our (wealthy) parish does not provide remuneration to catechists for spiritual direction, and the going rate for spiritual direction seems to be in the neighborhood of $75-$100/hour. That is not a donation. Some people seem to be making a career out of spiritual direction. Again, I don’t think Jesus would do that. Because I give a lot of time to the Church I don’t make as much as I otherwise might (I’m self-employed), and I can’t afford such fees.

]]> By: Joe http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/09/17/catechists-and-spiritual-direction/comment-page-1/#comment-2720 Joe Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:49:36 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1643#comment-2720 Pete, thanks for your comment. I pay my spiritual director a set fee per month. This is quite normal and the fees are usually quite nominal. As a catechist, our ministry is supported financially by the parish we serve (through the donations of parishioners). Sometimes, parishes offer spiritual direction as part of their mission and are able to do so without charging because they can rely on parish income. However, many spiritual directors often either work independently or for a retreat center which is supported solely by fees charged for the services they offer. It is not the equivalent of paying someone in some kind of private practice who is seeking to not only cover costs but to make a profit. It is simply offering financial support for religious organizations or individuals who provide ministry while having few if any other sources of income. Think of it less as a fee and more as a donation. Pete, thanks for your comment. I pay my spiritual director a set fee per month. This is quite normal and the fees are usually quite nominal. As a catechist, our ministry is supported financially by the parish we serve (through the donations of parishioners). Sometimes, parishes offer spiritual direction as part of their mission and are able to do so without charging because they can rely on parish income. However, many spiritual directors often either work independently or for a retreat center which is supported solely by fees charged for the services they offer. It is not the equivalent of paying someone in some kind of private practice who is seeking to not only cover costs but to make a profit. It is simply offering financial support for religious organizations or individuals who provide ministry while having few if any other sources of income. Think of it less as a fee and more as a donation.

]]> By: Pete http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/09/17/catechists-and-spiritual-direction/comment-page-1/#comment-2719 Pete Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:35:44 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1643#comment-2719 It bothers me that many, in not most, spiritual directors in my part of the world (New York area) expect to be paid an hourly fee. Is this normal? Somehow, I don't think priests and nuns should be paid on an hourly basis. I'm pretty sure Jesus wouldn't ask for payment and I certainly am not paid for being a catechist, nor do I want to be. It bothers me that many, in not most, spiritual directors in my part of the world (New York area) expect to be paid an hourly fee. Is this normal? Somehow, I don’t think priests and nuns should be paid on an hourly basis. I’m pretty sure Jesus wouldn’t ask for payment and I certainly am not paid for being a catechist, nor do I want to be.

]]> By: Joe http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/09/17/catechists-and-spiritual-direction/comment-page-1/#comment-2609 Joe Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:09:00 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1643#comment-2609 Hi Diane, thanks for sharing your story. Glad to hear that you're being enriched by spiritual direction. Hi Diane, thanks for sharing your story. Glad to hear that you’re being enriched by spiritual direction.

]]> By: Diane http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/09/17/catechists-and-spiritual-direction/comment-page-1/#comment-2608 Diane Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:56:22 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1643#comment-2608 Hi Joe, I've had a spiritual director for about 7 years now and I was fortunate enough to have this ministry available in our parish. I also had a pastor who wasn't afraid to suggest that I might benefit by checking it out. When I started spiritual direction, I began with alot of questions and concerns about the church; and see what happened...now I'm a catachist! It really has helped me to grow in my faith and to be able to see God at work in my everyday life. Hi Joe,
I’ve had a spiritual director for about 7 years now and I was fortunate enough to have this ministry available in our parish. I also had a pastor who wasn’t afraid to suggest that I might benefit by checking it out. When I started spiritual direction, I began with alot of questions and concerns about the church; and see what happened…now I’m a catachist! It really has helped me to grow in my faith and to be able to see God at work in my everyday life.

]]> By: Joe http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/09/17/catechists-and-spiritual-direction/comment-page-1/#comment-2606 Joe Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:39:19 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1643#comment-2606 Hi Greg, my spiritual director actually introduced herself to me after a talk I had given about taking care of yourself spiritually. I told her I had been thinking about going to spiritual direction and she said that it must have been the Holy Spirit that nudged her to introduce herself to me. I started going and haven't looked back. Hi Greg, my spiritual director actually introduced herself to me after a talk I had given about taking care of yourself spiritually. I told her I had been thinking about going to spiritual direction and she said that it must have been the Holy Spirit that nudged her to introduce herself to me. I started going and haven’t looked back.

]]> By: Greg http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/09/17/catechists-and-spiritual-direction/comment-page-1/#comment-2605 Greg Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:30:51 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1643#comment-2605 Joe, On my "catechist's journey", I've encountered several people that have recommended a spiritual director. Can I ask how you found your spiritual director? Did you end up with the first person you talked to? I would think that chemistry between the two people is very important. Thanks for mentioning this on the blog. I'm sensing that I don't realize how important spiritual direction is unti l I'm utilizing it. Joe,

On my “catechist’s journey”, I’ve encountered several people that have recommended a spiritual director. Can I ask how you found your spiritual director? Did you end up with the first person you talked to? I would think that chemistry between the two people is very important.

Thanks for mentioning this on the blog. I’m sensing that I don’t realize how important spiritual direction is unti l I’m utilizing it.

]]> By: Bev O'Grady http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2009/09/17/catechists-and-spiritual-direction/comment-page-1/#comment-2604 Bev O'Grady Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:59:17 +0000 http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/?p=1643#comment-2604 Hello Joe, As part of my contract with St. Dominic's parish, the parish covers half of the cost of my spiritual direction. The pastor insisted that all people working in ministry needed this service. It's been wonderful. They also pay for a week of retreat time, which really helps to invigorate my ministry. Blessings, Bev Hello Joe,

As part of my contract with St. Dominic’s parish, the parish covers half of the cost of my spiritual direction. The pastor insisted that all people working in ministry needed this service. It’s been wonderful. They also pay for a week of retreat time, which really helps to invigorate my ministry.

Blessings,

Bev

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