| Christine A. Gerety, Ph.D. Director of Spiritual Care & Engagement  (310 ) 566-1531Be guided by a trained spiritual director once a month for ten months in understanding and deepening your prayer life. 

As we journey in life, it is a great gift to find those companions that are guardians of our soul.  They assist us in seeing where God is speaking in our daily lives as well as alert us to the voices that can hinder our growth and peace of heart and mind.  The spiritual directors that are part of the St. Monica Center have all been trained as directors in either general Catholic spirituality or more specifically in a field of Catholic Spirituality, such as Ignatian, Franciscan, etc. They are primarily persons who assist the directee to hear the voice of God and follow it.  Once that voice is clear, they get out of the way and allow God to work more deeply in the directee’s life.

Spiritual Direction at the Center involves a commitment of daily prayer and meeting once a month for 45-60 minutes with a trained spiritual director for 10 months. The focus of the relationship is one’s relationship with God, their prayer life and ways to deepen this relationship. It is not primarily an intellectual exploration of theology but rather a journey into the heart and discovering God’s love. While persons of other faiths and Christian denominations are warmly welcome, the directors bring to the experience familiarity with the wisdom of Catholic spirituality, while always encouraging the wisdom of other faith traditions. 

Those interested should do the following steps:

• Review the brief biographies in the tab below and select 2-3 directors that appeal to your own interests.
  

   

• Submit a two-page spiritual autobiography (see tab below for guidance).
  
  
• Fill out a contact form, Click HERE to download the Contact Form.
  
  
• Submit your two-page spiritual autobiography, contact form, and the 2-3 directors that appeal to by you emailing the team at  and you will be contact to setup an interview.

Donation for Spiritual Direction

A suggested donation of $200 is encouraged for 10 one-hour sessions. Scholarships exist for those who may need them. Contact Christine at for scholarship information.

Once you have been accepted into Monthly Spiritual Direction, you can make your donation.

Click to make your Monthly Spiritual Direction Donation

| Christine A. Gerety, Ph.D. Director of Spiritual Care & Engagement  (310 ) 566-1531Be guided by a trained spiritual director once a month for ten months in understanding and deepening your prayer life. 

 

As we journey in life, it is a great gift to find those companions that are guardians of our soul.  They assist us in seeing where God is speaking in our daily lives as well as alert us to the voices that can hinder our growth and peace of heart and mind.  The spiritual directors that are part of the St. Monica Center have all been trained as directors in either general Catholic spirituality or more specifically in a field of Catholic Spirituality, such as Ignatian, Franciscan, etc. They are primarily persons who assist the directee to hear the voice of God and follow it.  Once that voice is clear, they get out of the way and allow God to work more deeply in the directee’s life.

 

Spiritual Direction at the Center involves a commitment of daily prayer and meeting once a month for 45-60 minutes with a trained spiritual director for 10 months. The focus of the relationship is one’s relationship with God, their prayer life and ways to deepen this relationship. It is not primarily an intellectual exploration of theology but rather a journey into the heart and discovering God’s love. While persons of other faiths and Christian denominations are warmly welcome, the directors bring to the experience familiarity with the wisdom of Catholic spirituality, while always encouraging the wisdom of other faith traditions. 

 

Those interested should do the following steps:

• Review the brief biographies in the tab below and select 2-3 directors that appeal to your own interests.
  

   

• Submit a two-page spiritual autobiography (see tab below for guidance).
  
  
• Fill out a contact form, Click HERE to download the Contact Form.
  
  
• Submit your two-page spiritual autobiography, contact form, and the 2-3 directors that appeal to by you emailing the team at  and you will be contact to setup an interview.

Donation for Spiritual Direction

A suggested donation of $200 is encouraged for 10 one-hour sessions. Scholarships exist for those who may need them. Contact Christine at for scholarship information.

 

Once you have been accepted into Monthly Spiritual Direction, you can make your donation.

 

Click to make your Monthly Spiritual Direction Donation

 

Spiritual Autobiography

Spiritual Autobiography

 

Thank you for your interest in the St. Monica Spirituality Center. While not exhaustive, the following questions are meant to aide you in your reflection and writing of your faith story. 

• What and who have been significant events, objects, places and people in your life that have pointed you towards God and led to your current involvement in the Church?

• Describe what prayer is for you and what you do to help you to pray. Describe any experience of using scripture and/or your imagination in prayer.

• Describe any experience with spiritual direction, retreats, meditation exercises, theological studies or special programs of spiritual/faith formation.

• Are there spiritual traditions that have shaped you in your own journey (Franciscan, Ignatian, ecological, Buddhist, Islamic, Teilhardian, Benedictine, Dominican, monastic, etc.)?

• Finish the sentence……… “ God/Christ is for me ……………….”

• If one could say that God has a dream for you, what comes to mind?

• If one could say that God has a dream for your parish, what comes to mind and what place do you feel you might have in realizing this dream?

 

Return your spiritual autobiography with an attached photo of yourself to us: .

 

Spiritual Directors

Review the brief biographies in the section below and select 2-3 directors that appeal to your own interests. 

 

Elsy Arevalo

Location: Palos Verdes, CA

Preferred Forms of Meeting: Virtual [Zoom]

Elsy Arevalo is the Assistant director of the Center for Religion and Spirituality. She coordinates and teaches in the Christian Spirituality, Spiritual Direction, and Contemplative Practices programs, both in English and Spanish. She obtained her Masters in Pastoral Theology, with a specialization in Spiritual Direction, from Loyola Marymount University. She currently belongs to a lay contemplative community founded in Argentina.

 

Sr. Betty Mae Bienlein

Location: Thousand Oaks

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person in Thousand Oaks, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

As a Sister of Notre Dame I have mostly ministered in elementary education as teacher and principal in South Central Los Angeles. I have a MA in Educational Administration from Mount St. Mary's. My assigned ministry is as a member of the secretarial team for our new USA Province of nearly 500+ sisters across the United States. In my spare time I enjoy reading, nature and justice advocacy.

 

Fr. Michael Braden, SJ

Location: Los Angeles

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person at LMU Jesuit Community, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, Etc.]

 

Fr. Michael Braden, S.J., is a member of the LMU Jesuit Community since July of 2017. He brings with him more than 20 years of experience in producing and teaching audio and video production and criticism in Jesuit Higher education. For the final ten years he served as Vice President for Mission and Ministry at St. Peter‚ University in Jersey City, New Jersey. During all of that time he was active in retreat and spiritual direction based on the Spiritual Exercises of St.Ignatius. Currently he is active as a regular spiritual director for lay and religious men and women in Southern California and in Hawaii. While in New Jersey he was active for ten years in inter-religious dialogue, especially with Zen practitioners, as a student of Fr. Robert Kennedy, S.J., Roshi.

 

Alexandra de la Vega

Location: Topanga

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person at St. Monica, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

Languages Availability: Spanish & English

 

Originally from Mexico, Alexandra (aka "Alex") is an experienced bi-lingual, bi-cultural, spiritual director, mentor and supervisor. She has served, over the past several years as a presenter, mentor, and supervisor for Loyola Marymount University's three-year Spiritual Direction formation programs, both in English and Spanish. She also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Good Samaritan Hospital in downtown Los Angeles.

 

Sr. Karen Derr

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Preferred Forms of Meeting: VIrtual [Zoom, FaceTIme, etc.]

 

In addition to Sr. Karen's spiritual direction ministry, she has a background in teaching (elementary, high school, and graduate school), direction of Ignatian retreats, religious formation, workshop facilitation, religious community leadership, and clinical psychology. In 2020, she retired after 27 years of work as a licensed psychologist. A great joy of her life is her membership in the Daughters of Mary and Joseph, an international congregation dedicated to being a compassionate presence in our world.

 

Sr. Julie Fertsch

Location: Los Angeles

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person anywhere in Los Angeles of at St. Monica, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

Sr. Julie is a Sister of St. Joseph: "I simply LOVE people! Walking along side of people on their journey has been and continues to be such a sacred privilege. I believe that God is always at work and love to listen for all that God is doing in each individual‚ life! Such a gift! I look forward to working with some of you this year!"

 

 

Mary Garbesi

Location: Santa Monica

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person at St. Monica, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

Mary, Director of Congregational Care at Brentwood Presbyterian Church, formerly served as Director of Caring Ministries and Spiritual Formation at Santa Monica First United Methodist Church. She began her professional life as an occupational therapist, then went on to study theology and psychology, completing a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, is certified as a Spiritual Director. Mary was raised in the Friends (Quaker) tradition and is influenced by their contemplative approach to living.

 

Marisol Gaytan Escobar

Location: Burbank

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person at St. Monica or at Holy Family Catholic Community in Glendale, CA, Vitual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

Language Availability: Spanish & English

 

"I am a woman who is passionate about discovering God's presence and action in one's life. Some time ago, a kind soul had the compassion to walk by my side in finding God in my life. The impact that this accompaniment had in all areas of my life was so deep, that I decided to do the same for others. It would be an honor to accompany you in your journey towards a more mature, free, and human relationship with God."

 

 

Maggie Gross

Location: Encino, CA

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person or Vitual

Language Availability: English

 

As a spiritual director, I desire to serve those who seek to embody the fullness of God in Christ, while at the same time, remain open to offering hospitality to anyone of any faith who requests a spiritual director or spiritual companion. When we seek to explore the deeper dimensions of our lives, spiritual direction offers a sacred space for gathering and making meaning from the fragmentary ex[eriences of our lives. In an ongoing encounter with the Holy, director and directee together nurture and awaken the soul in love, discerning and embracing new possibilities for growth and wholeness. As a spiritual director, I have the privilege of welcoming and witnessing the unfolding relationship of directee with the Divine. I am a graduate of Mount St Mary's University, Los Angeles where I received a Bachelor Degree and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. I am in private practice at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino, CA.

 

Jenny Haggard

Location: Santa Monica, CA

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person at St. Monica, on the Westside, or around LA; Virtual (Zoom, Facetime, etc.). 

 

Jenny Haggard is a certified spiritual director, accomplished keynote speaker, and spiritual thought leader who focuses on discernment and young adult ministry. Jenny intersects the secular and sacred on a daily basis, and she believes that having an intimate relationship with the Lord leads you to greater peace and joy. She frequently hosts silent retreats, leads group retreats and small group sessions, and provides 1:1 direction for people of all ages across the country. A nationally popular speaker, you can find her giving presentations on discernment, prayer, surrender, and inner peace. She is a graduate of the three-year Spiritual Direction program at Mount St. Mary’s University. When she's not serving at St. Monica, Jenny is a Creative Strategy Lead at a tech company. Learn more about her at www.jenhaggard.com.

 

Ingrid Honore-Lallande

Location: Los Angeles

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person at St. Monica, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

Ingrid Honore-Lallande, CSJ (Carondelet), earned a Masters Degree in Educational Administration at St. Mary‚ College in Moraga, a Master of Divinity Degree from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley and a certificate in the Ministry of Spiritual Direction from Loyola House Retreat Center in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Sr. Ingrid has a background of formal education, professional training and long-time ministry experience in the Jesuit tradition and Ignatian spirituality, which has enlivened and informed her ministry as a presenter, mentor, and spiritual director. Understanding that God is the real director, Sister Ingrid believes that God brings each person to direction having already begun some movement toward awareness of God‚ unconditional love, change and transformation.

 

 

Sr. Maria Lai, CSJ

Location: Los Angeles

Preferred Forms of Meeting: VIrtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

Language Availability: Chinese [Dialect: Cantonese] & English 

 

"I belong to the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange. I currently am a Spiritual Director(freelance as well as Loyola Marymount University), Resident Minister(LMU), Graduate Minister (LMU), Facilitator (VLCFF, Dayton University) and a Director of Religious Education (Saint Bridget Chinese Catholic Parish)"

 

 

Douglas Leal

Location: Santa Monica

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person at St. Monica, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

Douglas’s approach to direction is grounded in the Ignatian tradition and contemplative spirituality. He is a frequent presenter on spirituality, faith formation, liturgy, and other topics at St. Monica, the LA Religious Education Congress, and elsewhere, and he delivers retreats and seminars nationwide. Douglas holds a Master of Arts from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and a Certificate in Contemplative Practice from LMU; he also completed The Living School at Fr. Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation. Douglas has experience as a management consultant and as a professional actor and director. He currently serves as Chief Mission Integration Officer with Providence health system and was previously the Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. www.douglasleal.com

 

Kevin McCardle

 

Location: Santa Monica

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In person at St. Monica, Virtual [Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, etc.]

 

Kevin is a recently ordained deacon for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He currently serves as President of Saint Monica Preparatory, the TK-12 parish school of St. Monica Catholic Community. He is widowed with three adult biological sons and an adult foster son. He earned a certificate from the 3-year spiritual director training program offered by ADLA and Mt. St. Mary's University.

 

 

 

John McCarthy

Location: San Jose

Preferred Forms of Meeting: Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

"I am married, father of two adult children, and member of Holy Spirit Parish. I completed an Ignatian Spirituality Leadership pilot program FIRE, here at Holy Spirit, in the Spring of 2016, and completed the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in 2017, through El Retiro Jesuit Retreat Center. In May 2019, I completed the training to enable the giving of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius (via Center of Ignatian Spirituality in Sacramento). I have been a member the San Francisco retreat team of the Ignatian Spirituality Project (Retreats for Homeless Men in Recovery) since 2013. In the Fall of 2018 and Spring I Co-Lead Planting sessions of Growing our Friendship with Jesus. For 34 years I have been involved in Recovery work, finding a deep freedom and grace in 12 Step spirituality. In 2019, I participated in a Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity Leadership Training. I am active sharing Christ‚ love in various social ministry efforts at Holy Spirit (Chair of HS Strategic Social Committee, Village House, Nicaragua Mission Trip, former Chair, Gifts of Opportunity, former Gleaner SHCS)."

  

Susan McCarthy

Location: Fair Oaks

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person in Fair Oaks or Sacramento Area, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

"I am a woman religious, a Sister of Mercy, for over 50 years. My background training is in education and I also have been in school administration; formation of new members ministry; congregation leadership; diocesan ministry - RENEW, Evangelization and Delegate for religious. I have been journeying with persons who wish to deepen their relationship with God for many years. I have been blessed and awed by listening to the working of God in the lives of these people."

 

Mary McGrath

Location:

Preferred Forms of Meeting:

 

Mary is a Registered Nurse and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She has done graduate work at the University of Maine, Bangor [Me.] Theological Seminary, and St Joesph's College [Maine]. Mary has completed her certification for Spiritual Direction at the Mercy Center in Colorado in the class 0f 2005-2006. She is married with five adult children and fifteen grandchildren. Mary says “the experience of being a companion to another's seeking God has taught me to deeply reverence that holy journey and bow in humility to the privilege of being a witness.”

 

Ofelia Neri

Location: Los Angeles

Preferred Forms of Meeting: Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

Languages Available: Spanish & English

 

Ofelia Neri is a consecrated lay woman and founder of Discipuli Christi. She works as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing Faith-Based mental health services at Nueva Creación de Dios, a non-profit charitable organization she founded for the purpose of providing holistic formation. Ofelia Neri holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from Loyola Marymount University, a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and a certificate in Spiritual Direction and Retreat Facilitator from Mount Saint Mary‚ University. Ms. Neri is fluent in English and Spanish. She enjoys spending time with family, praying with her community, socializing with friends, and serving others with joy.

 

Margaret O'Rourke

Location: Los Angeles

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person in Los Angeles [South Los Angeles, Pico-Union, USC]

Languages Available: Spanish & English

 

"I am a native Californian. My professional life has been in education at the elementary, high school and university levels. I was blest to have been a missionary in Chile for 25 years. My spirituality is informed by both science and my faith. I am currently teaching at el Centro de Aprendize in Watts."

 

Loretta Pehanich

Location: Sacramento

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person in Sacramento Area, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

Loretta Pehanich is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director who also completed a three-year spiritual director‚ program at the Bread of Life Center in Sacramento in 2013. She is a Catholic writer and the author of A Book of Grace-Filled Days 2022, Women in Conversation: Stand Up! and Fleeting Moments: Praying When You Are Too Busy. Loretta blogs monthly at IgnatianSpirituality.com. One of the founders of ministry for women at St. Francis Parish, Loretta gives retreats, offers webinars, leads small groups, and actively engages in parish life. She holds a bachelors‚Äô degree from USC‚ Annenberg School of Communication. She and her husband Steve have 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren.

 

Ann Pettit

Location: Camarillo

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person in Camarillo, Virtual [FaceTime, etc.]

 

Ann Pettit is a long time member of Padre Serra parish. She has been married for 34 years and has 3 grown children. Recently retired from 36 years of teaching Physical Education, coaching and being the Athletic Director at Oak Park High School, Ann is continuing her work as a Spiritual Director, meeting with individuals seeking spiritual direction, giving workshops and helping to plan retreats. She received her certification through two programs, Mount St. Mary‚ University and Abbot David‚ School of Spiritual Direction. She has done extensive work on developing retreats, creating and using rituals to enrich lives, and using simple spiritual practices on one‚ journey.

 

Ann Sanders

Location: Pasadena

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person in Pasadena and parts of Los Angeles, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

"It is a privilege to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, allowing the Spirit to work through me in the roles God calls me to in my life. I am a wife - married for 36 years, mother of three adult children, grandmother to two, sister and friend. I am a registered nurse, member of the Order of Malta, Liaison to Healthcare Ministry in the Office of Life, Justice and Peace for the Archdiocese, and volunteer in my parish because a passion of mine is service ministry in the church. I enjoy and welcome listening to others as they share their stories of how God has been a part of their lives."

 

Mary Paulynne Tubick

Location: Long Beach

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person at St. Monica or anywhere in Los Angeles, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

"My name is Sister Mary Paulynne and I am a Sister of Notre Dame. I have been in the field of education in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for a number of years and currently I am the Director of Ministry at St. Bartholomew in Long Beach. I have been a spiritual director for over ten years. In addition, I spent over seven years as a missionary to Uganda, East Afrrica serving as teacher and administrator in our primary school, St. Julie. Currently, I am involved in detention ministry through our Archdiocese and serve as chaplain at Camp Kirby in East Los Angeles. I truly believe "God is good all of the time" and I strive to live my life God has given to me inspired by Mother Teresa's words:" We have only today....let us begin."

 

Rose Marie Tulacz

Location: Thousand Oaks

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person in St. Monica, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

"I am a servant of the Gospel. I have deeply experienced God's love and mercy, and my identity, vision, and ministry are intertwined in these experiences. I believe that without a deep experience of God in our life, there can be no mission, no vision, no true purpose. We must live from our experience. I am passionate about sharing with others this great love and mercy of the Father. I can't do it, but the Holy Spirit, through Mary makes it happen. In faith I bring my story and the story of Jesus to the storyof others so that together we find meaning, healing, resurrection, and deepen a personal relationship with Jesus. I am confident that in accompanying individuals and groups, God is very active and present in their lives. I see my role as helping people to name and claim that presence, to take ownership of their experience with God."

 

Mary Wiese

Location: Upland

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person in Upland, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

Mary holds a Masters Degree in Pastoral Theology and has been a spiritual director since 2013. She describes the relationship between the director and directee as a spiritual companionship based on mutual respect and honesty. As a spiritual director, Mary accompanies others in listening for the movements of the Holy Spirit and is in continual awe of God's activity in the lives of her directees. Mary resides in Upland, CA with her husband of 41 years.

 

 

Fran Zonfrillo

Location: Pacific Palisades

Preferred Forms of Meeting: In-person at St. Monica or Westside of LA, Virtual [Zoom, FaceTime, etc.]

 

Fran is a parishioner of St Monica and actively volunteers in ministry. She has been a Spiritual Director since 2017 and describes Spiritual
Direction as a sacred journey of Holy listening, and Presence with each other and the Holy Spirit to hear God’s call in our everyday life. Professionally, Fran has a graduate degree in Nursing.