The Art of Spiritual Direction

An Ancient Practice for Contemporary Times

Friday February 25, 2022 Part i
with Mary Pauline Diaz-Frasene

Friday April 22, 2022 part ii
With Joe Cussen

9:30am - 11:00am PST

Online via Zoom

Pat Kelly SJ & Sheila Barnes, presenters
Carla Orlando, facilitator

Patrick Kelly, S.J. is a Jesuit priest of the Midwest Province and an associate professor of theology at University of Detroit Mercy. Prior to 2020, Fr Kelly taught at Seattle University for 13 years and published numerous academic articles and book chapters on the subjects of Ignatian spirituality, discernment, Jesuits in a global context, the quest for God today, and religion and sport, which led him to collaborate with Vatican offices about the topic. Fr Kelly is a beloved formation director and has dedicated himself to walking alongside the communities of lay, Ignatian Spiritual Directors of the Pacific Northwest. He is a proud and grateful alumnus of University of Detroit, received a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Weston Jesuit School of Theology and completed his doctoral studies at the School of Religion at Claremont Graduate University in Theology, Ethics and Culture.

Sheila Barnes was a member of a Franciscan community for 30 plus years. Both as a member of the community and in subsequent years, ministry has been her focus.  Whether serving as teacher, parish pastoral minister, administrator, adult faith formation coordinator, campus minister, hospital chaplain, nursing assistant or hospice caregiver, companioning others on their journey has been her primary calling.  While co-director at the Priory Spirituality Center, she co-created Listening With the Spirit, a formation program for those seeking to become spiritual directors. Her mendicant spirit has afforded her broad travels with immersion into differing cultures. Retired from full time ministry, Sheila’s joy continues to be in offering spiritual direction and working with spiritual directors. 

Mary Pauline Diaz-Frasene is a counselor, chaplain, and community manager at The People's Supper where she engages laypersons and clergy to lead critical conversations about race and identity in their own communities. Mary Pauline grew up in a Pilipinx immigrant family with that “Did you eat yet?” kind of love, where ambitions and labor were for the generations, behind and beyond. Her work involves both communities and individuals, direct service and faith-based organizing, and spiritual care in hospital and workplace settings. Mary Pauline first made the Spiritual Exercises as a student at Seattle University where she studied theology and religious studies. She later received her MA in Theology and Culture at the Seattle School of Theology & Psychology.

Joe Cussen was born and raised in Massachusetts and is still an avid fan of all New England sports teams. He earned a BA in Theology and Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and then served for one year in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Phoenix, AZ. Joe earned a Masters in Theological Studies from Boston College before beginning his work in secondary education. For the last nine years, Joe has taught theology and directed a service immersion program at Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose, CA, Joe has a deep love of Ignatian spirituality and tries daily to practice gratitude and imaginatively pray with Scripture. Currently, Joe is working on a MA in Educational Leadership at the University of Notre Dame. Outside of work, Joe enjoys lifting weights, playing basketball, keeping up on current events, and cheering for New England sports teams and the Fighting Irish.