Spiritual Direction & Guidance

Spiritual Direction | For the New and Experienced

 

Ideal for times of . . .

  • Discernment
  • Transition
  • Loss
  • Renewal
  • A vague sense of wanting something more

 

What Is Spiritual Direction Anyway?


Spiritual direction benefits include …

  • A non-judgmental environment for honest sharing about spiritual matters
  • Options for one-on-one or group sessions
  • An improved sense of how God is working in their everyday lives.
 

Events Related to Spiritual Direction

 

Spiritual Direction is offered in person at the Benedictine Center of St. Paul's Monastery.

We are also offering Spiritual Direction virtually via Zoom or FaceTime. If you have any additional questions, contact the Benedictine Center Staff at
651-777-7251, or info@benedictinecenter.org.

 

Spiritual Direction Team

The spiritual direction ministry of the Benedictine Center is made possible by a team of spiritual directors, as well as other faithful staff, volunteers, and partners. Click on the spiritual director names below to view their full bios.

Ann Siverling

Ann Siverling is open to receiving new spiritual directees at this time. She prefers to meet people in person at the Benedictine Center but can also be available to meet virtually on Zoom. Ann is a teacher, pastor, chaplain, spiritual director, writer, musician, and bereavement counselor. Ann received her B A. from St. Olaf College, M.Div. from Luther Seminary, MBA from Bethel University, certification in Spiritual Direction from the Christos Center in Lino Lakes, certification on Servant Leadership from University of Madison Continuing Studies, and certification in Thanatology (the study of death, dying and bereavement) from the Association for Death Education and Counseling.  Ann has also been an oblate of St. Paul’s Monastery since 2013. Ann has been blessed by the listening and guidance of her own spiritual directors for the past 25 years. She has experienced being listened to “with the heart of God” by her own spiritual directors, and that is what she tries to do with her own directees. Ann’s spirituality can best be described as both Benedictine and Ignatian. Ann finds immense joy and wonder in listening deeply to others, and to help them see God’s “fingerprints” in their lives. Ann loves to help others see…

Gwen Pickering

Gwen Pickering is a spiritual director at the Benedictine Center.  She has attended the Triduum retreat many times in the past.  Being with the Sisters during these holy days has drawn her into a deeper and more personal relationship with Jesus, which is why she is so excited to offer this same opportunity to others.

Jennifer Frenz

Jennifer Frenz is open to receiving new spiritual directees at this time. She is available to meet in person at the Benedictine Center or virtually on Zoom. Jennifer is a compassionate spiritual director focused on helping people deepen their relationship with God. As a person of faith, she has always felt called to serve others, and finds great joy in accompanying people on their spiritual journeys. Jennifer’s approach to spiritual direction is deeply rooted in the teachings of Saints Ignatius and Benedict. She believes that God speaks to us through our experiences and that we can discern God’s will by paying attention to our thoughts, feelings, and desires. In spiritual direction, she encourages directees to cultivate a contemplative stance towards life, to listen for the movements of the Holy Spirit, and to discern how God is calling them to respond. Jennifer has been trained in the art of spiritual conversation and in creating a safe and sacred space where people can share their deepest hopes and fears. She listens without judgment, asks probing questions, and offers gentle guidance and support. She encourages directees to trust their own inner wisdom and to develop a greater awareness of God’s presence in their…

Sister Virginia Matter, OSB

(Sister Virginia is open to meeting with retreatants, but is no longer meeting with ongoing spiritual directees.) Virginia Matter, OSB is a member of St. Paul’s Monastery and came to the Center from the health care field. She worked in nursing and in pastoral ministry. Virginia has done significant preparation in the area of spirituality, Centering Prayer, Bio-Spiritual Focusing, retreats, and Spiritual Direction. She also has experience in pottery and Native American creative arts. CONTACT e | vmatter@benedictinecenter.org Available for: One-on-one spiritual direction Bio-spiritual focusing Pottery instruction Questions about Centering Prayer

Peter Watkins

Peter Watkins, M.Div. is a certified spiritual director and retreat leader at the Benedictine Center.  He holds a certificate in spiritual direction from Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality where he teaches and accompanies people through the Ignatian Exercises.  He is a life-long runner, father of three sons, and a bluegrass banjo player.    

Sheryl Rose

(Sheryl Rose is open to receiving new spiritual directees at this time.) Sheryl Rose holds an MA in Organizational Leadership and Spirituality from St. Catherine University.  She was certified as a Labyrinth Facilitator at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and was trained at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, WI as a Spiritual Director. Sheryl recently retired from parish ministry after over 25 years in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Sheryl is available to journey with people via Zoom, inside her home in SW Richfield or at the Benedictine Center.  During the warmer months, she also offers spiritual direction in an outdoor setting, often using the sacred walking path of her backyard labyrinth for those seeking another way to integrate mind, body and spirit. Sheryl writes: Being a first born overly responsible type, I worked full time while raising two children and volunteering at our parish and in the community.  This life was managed by color coded calendars, sticky notes and to do lists posted all over the house and car.  I was either “On” or “Off” (asleep).  Sitting in church, I remember being indignant every time the Martha/Mary story came up in the Gospel reading because…

Steve Arnold

Steven (Steve) F. Arnold is a Deacon within the Lutheran confessional movement of the Church catholic. Steve is certified as a Director of Christian Education and as a Lutheran Teacher and has served the Church through parish ministry, teaching at a Lutheran high school, and serving on the faculty of a Lutheran university where he taught parish leadership and lifespan faith formation. Steve currently serves as a Chaplain at Crest View Senior Communities. Steve is a Spiritual Director, in the Christian tradition, and is a member of Spiritual Directors International. Steve continues in ongoing personal formation as a spiritual director. Steve’s formation as a Spiritual Director took place through The Christos Center. Steve has served as an organizational consultant and also has served on many boards and committees over the years.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Wittenberg English Ministry and on the Board of Directors for Venite Ministries in Minneapolis. Steve is a teacher, retreat leader, speaker, author, chaplain, tour leader and bridge-builder. His work has included a number of cross-cultural and international experiences of bringing Christians together from around the world to learn and grow together. Steve’s doctoral work and research are in the areas of adult…

Kami Pohl

(Kami Pohl is open to receiving new spiritual directees at this time.) Kami Pohl received her training as a spiritual director from the Franciscan Spirituality Center (La Crosse, WI). Kami has experience in working on a church staff as Director of Community Engagement, in classroom teaching, in organizational development and training, and in being a full time Mom. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in human resource development from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband live in Plymouth and enjoy time with family, friends, taking long walks, listening to live music and reading. Kami writes: I am a mirror that follows the Light to notice, listen, connect, reflect and encourage. That is my short explanation for who I am as a spiritual director or companion. The longer story of my involvement with spiritual direction began in the fall of 2012 when I was going through a time of transition. Changes in my family and work helped me realize I did not feel that I was living out my call from God. I longed for my spiritual journey to be woven into the fabric of each ordinary day. Meeting with a spiritual director provided a place to unpack…

Rev. Kathie Nycklemoe

(Rev. Kathie Nycklemoe is not receiving new spiritual directees at this time.) Kathie Nycklemoe has served in public ministry since 1989, and as a pastor since 1995. Her training in contemplative practices began at the Shalem Institute (Baltimore, MD) under the direction of Tilden Edwards and Gerald May, and she received her training to be a spiritual director from the Franciscan Spirituality Center (La Crosse, WI). She is Associate Pastor of St. Stephen’s Lutheran (Bloomington, MN) a pastor and spiritual director who regularly leads retreats for clergy and lay folks. She also serves as a clergy coach through the Fairview Clergy Health Center and as a mentor/teacher with the Spiritual Direction Certification Program at the Lutheran Southern Seminary (Columbia, SC). Kathie loves to spend time with her husband and three young adult children, be outdoors as much as possible, read, travel, and . . . embrace her inner sloth. CONTACT e | knycklemoe@ststephen.net Available for: Spiritual direction Clergy coaching Speaking/Facilitation Supervision for spiritual directors

Tod Twist

(Tod Twist is open to receiving new spiritual directees at this time.) In addition to being on the Spiritual Direction team at the Benedictine Center, Tod Twist also serves as Co-Director. Tod trained as a Spiritual Director through the program at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, WI. At present, Tod’s work life is bi-vocational: he works in building maintenance at St. Paul’s Monastery in addition to his role at the Benedictine Center. Tod writes: After things went differently in mid-life than I thought they were supposed to, spiritual direction was a big part of my learning to live the life that was actually happening for me, as opposed to the life that I thought I was supposed to be living. It took a long time for me to adjust, and I needed others to listen to me as I trudged through it all.    Aside from marrying my beloved spouse and being blessed with our two children, the best thing that has ever happened in my life is growing in my experience of God’s presence. For me, that experience of God’s presence comes along different pathways—some traditional, some unexpected. The central conviction that I bring to spiritual companioning…

Rev. Peggy Thompson

(Rev. Peggy Thompson is open to receiving new spiritual directees at this time.) Rev. Peggy Thompson (known as Margaret Carroll in the art world) is a chaplain, spiritual director and artist who enjoys combining creativity and spirituality in her own work  and with her clients. Peggy received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, an M.Div. from United Theological Seminary, and certification in spiritual direction from The Cenacle Retreat Center. She is ordained in the United Church of Christ and is board certified in The Association of Professional Chaplains. Peggy has been an Oblate of St. Paul’s Monastery since 1993 and has been trained to teach Centering Prayer. She maintains a studio in the Northrup King Building in Northeast Minneapolis where she paints, as well as a family cabin in the North Woods where she finds rest and renewal. Learn more at www.mcarrollartist.com.  

Sister Jacqueline Leiter, OSB

Jacqueline Leiter, OSB is a member of St. Paul’s Monastery and serves on the Leadership team as Monastery Treasurer.  She has served as a teacher in the St. Paul Public Schools and is a spiritual director for the Benedictine Center. Sister Jacqueline is also an artist and photographer.  One of her original works of art won first place in the 2017 Seeing God Juried Exhibit at St. Paul’s Monastery Gallery.  Her work was featured in a group exhibition at a local St. Paul church in 2022 with a solo show scheduled in the fall of 2023.

Spiritual Direction FAQs

A: Most often guests meet monthly for about an hour (as individuals) or two (as groups), either at the monastery or at a more mutually convenient location. There are no set number of meetings for spiritual direction, nor a need to commit to a certain length of time. Together with your director, you determine how this ancient practice can best be most helpful to you.
A: The recommended payment for spiritual direction is 75.00 per hour for individual sessions and 40.00 for groups. Those who are able often give more and, thanks to such generosity, assistance is made available for others.
A: Spiritual Directors are available to provide group direction for up to six people at a time, using two-hour sessions, and at a cost of 40.00 per person. New groups are most often formed from a waiting list, after individuals have contacted the Benedictine Center and a group of four to six is assembled. Facilitated praying, sharing, and listening help participants notice God’s guidance and presence.
A: Start by contacting the Benedictine Center. We respect that the Spirit is at work in this process, so, after listening, we’ll put you in touch with someone for a free initial conversation. You will likely meet together to explore your interest in spiritual direction and to answer questions you might have. If it seems a mutually good fit, you might continue meeting together. Otherwise, this team member can draw from what you learned together to recommend someone else.

Testimonials

Anonymous Patron

“When I see all these people sharing their souls, I can’t help but wonder what mine has to say.”

Anonymous Artist

“Returning for the juried show each year helps me stay at my practice all year long.”

Wendy

“It’s so peaceful here. Even my body feels it when I walk through the door.”

Jim

“Wow. What can I say? I cannot thank you enough for the way that you helped me. This was a wonderful experience—one of a lifetime.”

Mark

“I am moved every time I walk in these doors and encounter a new exhibit.”

Jill

“I am an artist who just moved to town. I have found my people.”

Dr. Mel Kimble

“We found the spiritual atmosphere, architecture and interaction with the community of St. Paul's Monastery as asset to our work . . . the Benedictine Center keeps our focus on the spiritual dimension of life as it unfolds.”

Fr. Chuck Brambilla

“As a staff we were amazed at the quality of our experience together.”

Pastor Ruth Conrad

“God has breathed empowering courage into my life and ministry through times of silence in this beautiful center.”

Aaron Miller, Campus Minister

“The Benedictine Center made our retreat with college students nothing less than spectacular. What we encountered was a true sense of Benedictine hospitality and prayerfulness.”

Nancy

“I can’t believe I slept for twelve hours straight. It must have been what my body needed.”

Dianne

"Our time was peaceful and beautiful and blessed."