Prairiewoods has four spiritual directors on staff who offer one-on-one spiritual direction. Spiritual direction has been part of Christian and non-Christian traditions from their very beginnings. It provides people with companionship on a spiritual journey. Spiritual direction might be ideal for you if you want to:
- find wholeness and balance in life and connect with God, Allah, Tao, Universe or however you may refer to the Source of All Being
- sense the integration of that Spirit within your daily life
- explore our true nature as human beings
Typically, spiritual direction sessions are one hour long and occur monthly and/or during a directed retreat of any length.
A spiritual director or companion is a trained listener and questioner, a guide for your soul. Topics for discussion and discernment are determined by you, the directee. A director does not give you answers or steer you in any one direction. Rather, a spiritual director asks questions that help you focus on the sense of direction that is already inside you. Together, you listen to how God or the Source of All Being is at work in your life.
As a directee, you may choose to reflect on:
- events from your past
- life in the moment
- your vision for the future
- your desires, hopes and dreams
- your longing to grow spiritually
In choosing to participate in spiritual direction, you may begin to gain clarity and contentment with the direction of your life.
The first session of direction is without cost or obligation. Future appointments cost $50–$60 per hour, though no one is turned away because of inability to pay.
If you would like to begin meeting with any spiritual director, please contact Ann Jackson, PBVM, at 319-395-6700, ext. 203, or ajackson@prairiewoods.org or contact the spiritual director with whom you would like to meet. (Find their contact information below.)
Joann Gehling, FSPA, is one of Prairiewoods’ foundresses and has been on staff since it opened in 1996. She is available for spiritual direction, counseling, hosting retreats and healing touch spiritual ministry. Sister Joann has a doctorate in ministry with a concentration in feminist theology and psychology. Joann can be reached at jgehling@prairiewoods.org or 319-395-6700, ext. 204.
Ann Jackson, PBVM, is Prairiewoods’ coordinator of spiritual services. Blending love of nature, literature, leadership and spirituality, Sister Ann delights in listening with others to the energy of Spirit stirring creativity, passion, discernment and service. She enjoys offering spiritual direction and facilitation to individuals and groups. Ann can be reached at ajackson@prairiewoods.org or 319-395-6700, ext. 203.
Leslie Schwarting serves as a full-time spiritual director and retreat facilitator at Prairiewoods. A wife, mother of three adult women and former hospital executive, Leslie completed her spiritual direction certification with the direct intention to tend to the souls of others on this journey of life. Leslie has extensive experience in leading large teams, developing organizational engagement strategies, improving processes and most importantly to Leslie, connecting deeply to those around her. Leslie loves to create space for her directees and support them as they explore what their hearts crave, identify where opportunities for healing are, contemplate the rich questions of our lives, and grow closer to God, the Earth, oneself and others. She is innately curious, loves reading, silence, spending time with her family, being outdoors, traveling, singing in her car while commuting, trying new things and meeting new people. She looks forward to the opportunity to walk with you as you savor, question, seek clarity and connect more deeply with Divine Source within and among each of us. Leslie can be reached at lschwarting@prairiewoods.org or 319-395-6700, ext. 215. If you would like to schedule directly with Leslie, you can get on her calendar here.
Lucille Winnike, FSPA, ministers as a retreat director and spiritual director. Earlier ministries include teaching and administration in Catholic schools, as well as administration within her community. Sister Lucille has a master’s degree in mathematics from Notre Dame University, where she later did further studies in spirituality and interned as a spiritual director. She says, “Many persons who come here experience the richness and healing powers of Prairiewoods itself, of Mother Earth, of God. It is my privilege to meet with some of those people.” Lucille can be reached at lwinnike@prairiewoods.org or 319-395-6700, ext. 221.