Family Matters Pairs Parents with Spiritual Directors
By Nancy Small
In the Fall of 2024, Ignatian Young Adult Ministries, an initiative of the Office of Ignatian Spirituality, partnered with GoodFaith, a non-profit Catholic apostolate, for a pilot program called Family Matters. This fifteen-month spiritual program for families with children ranging from infants through high school offers families an opportunity to explore faith through prayer, service, discernment and community building.
One unique aspect of this program pairs parents with spiritual directors. Sixty-five families from eleven different Catholic faith communities participated in the pilot program, and they were accompanied by more than fifty spiritual directors affiliated with the OIS. Three of these spiritual directors were invited to share their reflections on this experience.
“I learned that there is a great deal of hunger among parents to connect with God on a deeper level”
“I was drawn to the Family Matters program because I know it can be very challenging to find support even in a parish or faith community through my own experience of raising a family,” said Amy Hoegen, a spiritual director in the Scranton area. “It excited me to be able to offer spiritual companionship to parents who are often given the message by society that they should be able to do it all (raise children, work, nourish their marriage, maintain a household and extended family relationships, etc.) without much help.”
Amy was moved by her experience. “I learned that there is a great deal of hunger among parents to connect with God on a deeper level,” she said. “Finding time to nourish their relationship with God is a significant challenge for many parents. Having dedicated time set aside each month for spiritual direction was a way they could nourish their spiritual life, explore that inborn hunger for God, and notice and respond to the Spirit of God moving in their lives.”
“It was a joy to offer spiritual direction to someone who may not have had such an opportunity otherwise...”
Seasoned spiritual director Virginia Blass of New London, NH agreed. “It was a joy to offer spiritual direction to someone who may not have had such an opportunity otherwise, witnessing to how my directee deepened in faith and relationship with God, especially by bringing real questions, desires, and concerns to God.”
Parents who participated in spiritual direction found that it created space for important spiritual conversations that they otherwise wouldn’t have had. “Every session with my spiritual director has been grace-filled,” said one parent. Another spoke of it as an experience of being met and accompanied on the road to Emmaus.
“Spiritual direction for the parents helps foster and deepen their relationship with God, which often leads to gratitude and the ability to see God in others and the desire to be of service.”
Some spiritual directors found themselves exploring new pathways. “I directed couples for the first time,” shared Rich Begley, a spiritual director in New York state. “The experience was initially challenging because although they were participating in Family Matters as a couple, the intention for direction was to focus on them individually. I was mindful to maintain confidentiality and boundaries. What was important was their personal experiences in prayer and activities, not what the other spouse was experiencing or not experiencing.”
Family Matters helps parents put their faith into action and pass on Catholic Social Teaching to their children. “I found it inspiring to hear about how parents are integrating Catholic Social Teaching in their family life.” said Amy. “Spiritual direction provided an opportunity to celebrate their good work in the world. It was also a place of support and encouragement as they strive to pass along our tradition of justice and service to their children.”
Rich concurred, saying, “Spiritual direction for the parents helps foster and deepen their relationship with God, which often leads to gratitude and the ability to see God in others and the desire to be of service.”
He heartily recommends participating in this program to other spiritual directors, describing it as “a very positive experience.” Virginia agreed, noting a deep sense of gratitude for her participation in the program. “I’m delighted to be included in a program that makes spiritual direction available to parents in parishes,” she said.
Amy spoke of the grace of accompanyiing other parents who are seeking God in daily life and the inspiration she received in return. “By working toward God’s dream of justice and equality in our broken world and passing that hope onto the next generation, my directees have inspired me to be open to new ways to pursue justice and to uphold the dignity of every person amid the busyness of family life.”
This program is kindling faith in the context of family life in dynamic ways. We look forward to how the Holy Spirit will fan these flames as new cohorts begin in Fall, 2025.
Are you a spiritual director interested in assisting Family Matters?
Family Matters will be looking for spiritual directors to participate in next year’s program. Interested spiritual directors must have completed a spiritual direction training program and be receiving supervision. Preference is given to trained spiritual directors who carry liability insurance.
Interested spiritual directors may contact Mary Beth Cassidy, Associate Director for Ignatian Young Adult Ministries, at mcassidy1@jesuits.org.