Joan Carney writes, "Since our commissioning last fall, I've been busy taking graduate classes in Religious Studies at John Carroll. I am currently enrolled in Dr. Nuth's class on Women in Christian tradition. The work is fascinating...lots of writing!
     "I am blessed to be directing two wonderful women in 19th annotation retreats and enjoyed working with Rita Carfagna (ISI '05) at Saint Christopher parish (fall '07) and Father Jack White at Saint Ignatius this spring in nine week versions of the spiritual exercises.
     "On a personal note, I am now the proud grandmother of a beautiful little girl. Sofia Rosa was born to my son Patrick and his wife, Jenni on February 16th. What a joy it is to see the love in this new little family!
     Thanks to Melinda and the Youngstown carpool from ISI class of '07 for putting together a dinner reunion last month. It was wonderful to see so many of our classmates. Those who couldn't make it were sorely missed."

Pat Cleary-Burns is beginning his first effort at a ministry of support for those in ministry with "PHEW!: A Weekend of Support, Respite & Celebration for Those Who Minister Among God's People" this April. (Read the listing on the Upcoming Events page.) He will also be leading an 8 day retreat in April at the Jesuit Retreat House in Parma.

Sr. Marian Durkin asks for prayers. She is having total hip replacement surgery on Tuesday, March 11th. She will have the surgery at St. Vincent Charity Hospital and will do her recovery at the motherhouse. Her contact information: 5232 Broadview Road, Richfield, OH 44286/ 330-659-5100.

Congratulations to Sheila Flynn on the arrival of a new granddaughter, Mia, born November 5th, 2007. "She is my little spiritual director," Sheila writes, "teaching me to be still and consider her as an incarnation of God's love."
     Sheila has also joined a contemplative dialogue group: she recommends using easily available materials entitled Bridges to Contemplative Living. This Fall she completed four units from "Sacred Art of Living and Dying." She writes, "I found the course helpful in spiritual direction, especially for listening, spiritual pain and the ancient roots of the art of spiritual direction."

Janet Lehane continues to practice spiritual direction at St. Ignatius High School, River's Edge and help with the JRH parish Ignatian retreats. She continues to "love to witness a directee's experience of God." She reports that her family is healthy and thriving!

Eileen Novotny has recently written an article about Spiritual Direction for her diocesan newspaper, The Exponent. She has kindly shared the article with us; you can read it by clicking here.

John Ropar recently returned from leading ten year-long volunteers in Ecuador on a three-day retreat.