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.

For questions or to make arrangements for Spiritual Direction, call 563.582.3592, option 1.

meet our spiritual directors

Sr. Marci Blum, OSF

Sr. Marci Blum, OSF, 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.  She has also been awarded Masters in Divinity and Masters in Religious Education degrees.  Additionally, Sr. Marci is the author of the book Living Like Francis Today, published in 2005.  *Currently accepting new clients.

Sr. Ginny Heldorfer, OSF

Sr. Ginny Heldorfer, OSF, 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. She listens intensely to what is not being said, then asks questions to address the deeper meanings in what was spoken. Sr. Ginny does not give advice but rather assists you to listen to what is already in your heart. *Not accepting new clients at this time.

Jade Angelica MDiv, DMin.

Jade Angelica, MDiv, DMin., guides seekers by combining various religious traditions’ wisdom teachings with the classical spiritual direction model developed by the early desert mothers and fathers.  They believed that the path to knowing God is through self-discovery, that enlightenment is within us, and that identifying our passions, attachments, desires, and motivations will help to clear away obstacles and fears as we journey on.  Walking together through the unknown, the invitation in spiritual direction with Jade is to open hearts and minds to recognizing, responding to, and trusting the divine source of life.  Through careful, caring listening, Jade’s intention is to guide seekers toward deepening awareness of, and love for, themselves, others, and the God of each seeker’s understanding. 

Jade received her Masters of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1992, her spiritual direction training from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, DC in 2005, and her Doctor of Ministry in 2012 from Andover Newton Theological School.  She was certified as a spiritual direction supervisor at C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction at North Park Theological Seminary in 2017. *Currently accepting new clients.

Marion Huettner

Marion Huettner is a married laywoman with two adult daughters. She completed her training in Spiritual Direction at Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI in November 2018. She is a member of Spiritual Directors International (SDI). She worked as a Licensed Pediatric/Child Clinical Psychologist for more than 33 years before her retirement in 2024, and also holds an undergraduate degree in Theology.  Marion is rooted in the Catholic Christian faith tradition and is enriched by the wisdom of multiple other spiritualities and traditions.  Her years of study, reflection, life experience, and spiritual practice ground her foundational beliefs that everything is Sacred/spiritual and that everyone and everything belongs.  As a Spiritual Director, Marion listens with persons seeking spiritual direction with nonjudgmental, open-hearted presence, no matter what their spiritual and life background might be. *Currently accepting new clients.

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. *Not accepting new clients.