spiritual direction

Seeking God is a universal human quest — common to all ages and to all cultures. Growth in the quest for God happens when we pray with honest, authentic desire.

The spiritual director helps an individual to sort out the various desires in their life, and to recognize and respond to their desire for God.

God wants a personal relationship with each one of us. God has a dream — and it is for our happiness, even in this earthly life. The Good News that Jesus came to bring us is that we are friends of God! (John 15.15)

Growth in that friendship gives meaning and brings true happiness to life! Spiritual direction assists people in such growth. Shalom is happy to offer an opportunity for Spiritual Direction.

With questions or to make arrangements for Spiritual Direction, call Shalom at 563.582.3592.

meet our spiritual directors

Sr. Marci Blum, OSF

Sr. Marci earned her Doctor in Ministry (D.Min.) from St. Paul Seminary at the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN and her Spiritual Director certification from the Center for Spiritual Guidance, St. Paul, MN. Blum has also been awarded Masters in Divinity and Masters in Religious Education degrees. Additionally, she is the author of the book Living Like Francis Today that was published in 2005.

Jade Angelica MDiv, DMin.

Jade guides seekers by using classical spiritual direction training (from the Shalem Institute of Spiritual Formation) with interfaith seminary education (from Harvard Divinity School), and welcome directees from all Faiths. She written spiritual resources for Alzheimer’s caregivers: Where Two Worlds Touch: A Spiritual Journey Through Alzheimer’s, and Meeting Alzheimer’s: Companionship on the Journey (in audio format with music), and offers guidance to persons with dementia and caregivers through spiritual direction.

Sr. Ginny Heldorfer, OSF

Sr. Ginny Heldorfer completed the three year Spiritual Direction Preparation Program at the Franciscan Spirituality Center, LaCrosse WI in 2017.  She has experience in discernment skills, support groups for separated/divorced, grief groups as well as co-facilitating reflection/retreats with parishioners and college students.  

Marion Huettner

Marion is a married laywoman with two young adult daughters. She received her certificate of completion in Spiritual Guidance/Direction from Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI in November 2018. She is a member of Spiritual Directors International (SDI). Marion is rooted in the Catholic Christian faith tradition and has an inter-spiritual heart. She believes that everything is sacred/spiritual and that everyone and everything belongs. She hopes to receive persons who are seeking spiritual direction with nonjudgemental, open-hearted presence, no matter what their spiritual background might be.

Hunter Darrouzet, MPM

Hunter completed his two-year Spiritual Direction Certification from the Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program in Grand Junction, CO based out of Colorado Springs, CO in 2015 and he completed his Master in Pastoral Ministry from the University of Dallas in 2011. Rooted in his Catholic faith tradition with a calling to inter-faith dialogue, Hunter has been a campus minister since 2008 and has a calling to men’s ministry and male spirituality. However, due to his training, life experience, and openness to God’s call, he is open to walking with anyone who wants to grow closer to God.

Sr. Suzanne Rubenbauer, FSPA

Suzanne completed the 3-year Spiritual Director Preparation Program at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, WI in 1988. She has personal experience and education in mindfulness based stress reduction techniques, mind-body-spirit awareness and integrative daily scripture spirituality. As a cancer survivor and presently a caretaker for her aging parent, Suzanne realizes the gifts of compassionate listening to self and others, moment-to-moment awareness, and seeing God in the ordinary. She brings this to her spiritual companioning practice.