Spiritual Directors

Life has a way of continually bringing me to the end of myself.  Whether through the challenges of raising a family, moving five times in nine years, suffering from depression, or a mid-life crisis I often came up empty.  On the way through this life God has shaped and formed me.  I learned to discern God's voice, to listen to God, and to be open to God's transforming ways.  Meeing with a spiritual director has become an important discipline that helps me to stay awake to God, to my own journey, and to others in my life.  It is my deepest joy to offer this companionship to others.

Wai-Chin Matsuoka:

My husband John and I just celebrated our 19 anniversary. We reside in Westmont, Illinois and consider ourselves part of the body of Christ at Christ Church of Oak Brook. I lived in Singapore until I came to the States for graduate studies. Through a medical crisis, I have come to realize how much of my identity was wrapped up in my accomplishment and work, and that the seeming control over my life was in fact an illusion. Spiritual direction invited me into a deeper and more authentic journey with God.

Christine Grano:

I am a member of Christ Church of Oak Brook, raised in the Roman Catholic tradition. I live in Berwyn with Mike, my husband of 30 years. My adult spiritual transformation started back in 1984 when I entered alcohol rehab. About 11 years into that journey, I entered into a spiritual direction relationship which I am still in. That intentional relationship has been the constant on my journey that helps me to really listen to the small still voice of the Spirit in my life and invite transformation to take place.

Because I value this relationship so much, the Spirit moved me to in turn offer this relationship to others. I received my certificate from the Christos School of Spiritual Formation in May of 2007. I invite you to prayerfully consider this life-giving spiritual discipline.

Susan Groah:

I am from Orland Park, Illinois. I was "awakened" to the idea of spiritual formation through a week long course in spiritual direction back in April of 2003, with New Way Ministries in Colorado. Being hungry for more training and experience, I entered a 2 year program for spiritual direction that fall, graduating in May of 2005. I have been seeing a spiritual director and doing spiritual direction for 3 years now.

Shirley Morlock: 

My path in spiritual formation emerged out of personal failure and desperation 14 years ago. The acute and painful realization of my ever present need to be saved and redeemed brings with it a growing and deepening awareness and gratefulness for God's amazing grace--a love that has the power to change me. Spiritual direction has become a significant part of my journey with Jesus. It is a place that helps me listen to the questions: what does loving God with all I am and all I have look like? What does loving my neighbor as myself require of me--how does that manifest in me and in my life and relationships? God is in the midst of our lives and their circumstances and relationships. How do we see him, listen to him, trust him, love him? The Holy Spirit guides us. Each step in following Jesus is a movement in trust and love and one that draws us deeper into the heart of God and his good purposes in and through our lives for the world we live in.

Debbie Stojic: 

I reside with my husband, Peter, in La Grange Park. Our family have been members of CCOB for about 30 years. As I have raised my family of 3 daughters and a son, I have also been actively involved in many different venues of church life. My chief interest over the years has always been centered in the spiritual life. A personal crisis in a close family relationship required a genuine, loving response that I was alarmed to find I lacked capacity for. My yearning to be authentic in love, and recognizing it had to do with deepening my own relationship with God, led me to take training in a course of Spiritual Direction. Along the way, I discovered a desire to companion with others as they deepen their own intimacy with God in the midst of their ordinary, busy, daily living.

Mary Denny:

I believe spiritual direction creates a safe, nonjudgmental, loving space that enables an individual to notice, reflect on, and trust the presence and action of the Spirit in their life. It is an invitation to listen to how God personally communicates with you, perhaps thru scripture, other people, nature, your dreams and images, your body, or your desires. The relationship encourages one to live authentically. My own spiritual journey has been nurtured by experiences of Love in the midst of the difficult and joyful circumstances of life. It is in the fullness of the present moment that I experience the mystery of God's presence most deeply. I am personally committed to the disciplines of Spiritual Direction and Centering Prayer. I completed my training to be a Spiritual Director at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Hyde Park, Chicago. I live in Chicago, am the mother of three teenagers, and a nurse.

Phoebe Love:

Spiritual direction is about paying attention to what’s happening in our souls so we can better respond to what’s happening in our lives. A spiritual director helps by listening deeply to us while noticing the movement of the Holy Spirit in what we share. This is the gift my ‘director’ gives me and one I love offering to others. I received my formal training in spiritual direction at Loyola University--Institute of Pastoral Studies. I also completed a Masters in Pastoral Studies. I received my informal training in the many years before. I reside in Elmhurst with my husband and adult daughter. I have two sons, one married and one in college.