Fifteen attend School of Spiritual Direction

By Deacon Greg Sass & Carole Brown

The 2022 Session of the Covenant School of Spiritual Direction had fifteen students this year, eight second-year students and seven first-year students. The school follows a three-year schedule focused on prayer, healing, and virtue. The 2022 Session was focused on healing. The two-week school included teaching the elements of spiritual direction, small spiritual direction practice groups, large sharing groups, praying for specific graces using assigned scripture readings, daily Mass, opportunities for confession, individual spiritual direction, and receiving healing prayer.

Two-hour evening sessions featured Dr. Clare Ten Eyck teaching on healing ministry during the first week and Deacon Jim Scherr and Bishop Peter Muhich teaching on “Deliverance” during the second week.

As part of the school’s requirements, the first-year students will complete an 8-day Ignatian Retreat, the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius Loyola, or attend the diocesan Cor ad Cor program (also based on St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises) before attending their second year. The second-year students will complete a seventeen-week practicum where they will provide teaching and directing of an individual, under the supervision of the school’s co-directors.

If you would like more information about the school, visit http://cssd.one, or contact either co-director Carole Brown, cbrown@diorc.org, 605-985-5906 or Deacon Greg Sass, gsass@diorc.org, 605-343-3541 x2228. To make a financial contribution in support of the school, visit https://siouxspiritualcenter.org/support-this-ministry.

Group photo: Back: LaVerne Trangmoe (Montana), Kathy Ackerman (Hill City), Cathy Smith (Faith), Susan Gunn (Lemmon), Mary Thomas (Rapid City), Mary Shepanski (instructor), and Susan Wagner (Rapid City). Middle: Rachel Uhrich (Sioux Falls Diocese), Barb Klang (Montana), Dcn. Bill White (Porcupine), Diane Say (Spearfish), Shawna Hanson (Rapid City), Gail Wingert (Rapid City), Donna Aberle (Timber Lake), and John Shepanski (instructor). Front: Fr. Dave Axtmann (Sioux Falls Diocese), Fr. Jim Hoerter (McLaughlin), Bishop Peter Muhich, Deacon Greg Sass, and Dr. Carole Brown.