Fourteen men and women have completed the reading, study and reflection required to become spiritual directors in the Diocese of Peoria.
The two-year process was led by Father Albert Haase, OFM, and Jessie Vicha, with assistance from Sister Linda Burkitt, OSF, as facilitator.

This is the second class of spiritual directors to complete the training designed and offered through the diocesan Office of the Permanent Diaconate.

The new spiritual directors are:
Deacon Al Angelo of St. Patrick Parish in Colona;
Deacon Gayle Cyrulik, St. Patrick of Merna, Bloomington;
Lourdes Delgado-Serrano, St. Ann, Peoria;
Nanette Gillan, St. Anthony, Spring Valley;
Sister Marion Lemon, OSF, St. Francis of Assisi Newman Center, Macomb; Suzie Meismer, St. Ann, Peoria;
David Nybakke, St. Mary, Bloomington;
Linda Racki, St. Monica, East Peoria;
Pam Smith, St. Mary, Bloomington;
Monika Tonsor, St. Philomena, Peoria;
Clare Tschirn, St. Thomas the Apostle, Peoria Heights;
Eileen Unander, St. Patrick, Urbana;
Deacon Joseph Venzon, St. Patrick, Washington, and
Deacon Kevin Zeeb, Blessed Sacrament, Morton.

In addition to the permanent deacons and their wives, the class was open to those who felt a desire to grow in their spirituality and sensed that they were being called to assist others in their spiritual journey, according to Sister Linda.

“Spiritual direction is leading a person deeper into their relationship with God,” she explained. “It’s also enabling that person to listen more deeply to the Spirit within them to gain knowledge of themselves through learning various prayer practices that might enrich that area for them.”

During the first year class members learned to do that by engaging in group spiritual direction and then moved into peer supervision groups the following year. Sister Linda said each person was required to have at least one directee during the second year to put what they had learned into practice.

The new spiritual directors join the 15 men and women who completed the first class in 2011. Those who are interested in spiritual direction with one of these people may call the Office of the Permanent Diaconate at (309) 671-1550.

(Provided photo)