Listing of Spiritual Directors

Here are the spiritual directors who have agreed to be part of this service. All are experienced in spiritual direction, are familiar with Henri’s writings, and subscribe to the guidelines for ethical conduct as outlined by Spiritual Directors International (SDI). You can order your own copy of the guidelines by going to the SDI web site.

Spiritual Directors: Jill Boyce, Rick Hatem, Wil Hernandez, Karen Patena, Joann Nesser , Susan Vander Woude

Jill Boyce

I am 57 years old, married to Tom for 34 years, and have two adult children. My faith tradition is Christian, having worshiped in Presbyterian and Episcopal communities and it was through Henri Nouwen's writings, and in meeting him years ago, where I began to seek a deeper understanding of God in my life. The richness of my own experience with direction was what led me to wanting to become a spiritual director. To journey with others in the deepening of their unique spiritual lives, especially in the face of suffering and/or loss is a privilege. My calling grows out of my long career in nursing and public health, and also having been trained as an interfaith chaplain. I was educated as a spiritual director at San Francisco Theological Seminary and now am attending Regent College in Vancouver, BC pursuing further theological studies. I am appreciative of different faith traditions, as well as dark times when God seems absent. The call of service to others is a strong thread of my personal story both locally and globally. I enjoy time with my husband, extended family, friends, reading, and time outdoors, including hiking, biking, skiing, and sailing.

Rick Hatem

I am 53, single and Catholic. I received training as a spiritual director at the Spiritual Renewal Center in Syracuse, NY. Today I work as a spiritual director through The Spirituality Network in Columbus, Ohio. While living in Jerusalem & Bethany from 1986 to 1991 I joined l’Arche and was active in dialogue groups with Jews, Muslims & Christians. Reading the Bible daily, the practice of centering prayer, experiences with the three monotheistic religions, and 12 years in l’Arche have been major influences in my spirituality. I enjoy leading retreats & breaking bread while exploring the Emmaus story and other scriptures. I moved back to Ohio in 2001 to help my parents with the challenges of aging and my mother’s Alzheimer’s. I spend five days a week with my parents in their rural home where we share life in the home and garden, and take trips to visit family, friends and keep up with doctor appointments.

Wil Hernandez

I graduated with a Ph.D. in Practical Theology with a special concentration in Spirituality from Fuller Theological Seminary. I am a trained counselor and a certified spiritual director who holds a private practice in Southern California. In addition, I teach courses and conduct retreats all year round on Henri Nouwen and his writings. Paulist Press has released two books on Nouwen that I have written titled Henri Nouwen: A Spirituality of Imperfection (2006) and Henri Nouwen and SoulCare: A Ministry of Integration (2008). I consider it a privilege to accompany people on their spiritual journey regardless of where they're at. I enjoy working ecumenically with both Catholics and Protestants, two faith traditions I feel equally at home with. I have been married now for close to 24 years to Juliet and blessed with two grown-up sons, Jonathan and David. Reading books of all types remains my favorite pastime of all!

Karen Patena

Karen is a spiritual and retreat director as well as a certified lay ecclesial minister in the Cleveland, Ohio Catholic Diocese. She facilitated lay ecclesial minister candidates in spiritual formation for 9 years. Her ministry includes inner healing prayer. She has a particular love for praying with scriptures and reflecting on the lives of the saints, big ‘S’ and little ‘s’, seeing in them God’s passionate love for us and the invitation for us to respond to that incredible love. Henri Nouwen is a great example to her of a little ‘s’ saint. He has served her at times as a mentor and as a spiritual director through the gift of his life and his writings. His honesty, openness of sharing his life’s struggles, the clarity in which he wrote, and the depth of his insights has touched her life tremendously. Karen is married to Jim and they take great delight in their two grown sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. She loves reading, walking, and nature, especially sunsets on Lake Erie.

Joann Nesser

I was founder and now retired Director of Christos Center for Spiritual Formation in Lino Lakes, MN. I am a graduate of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, have an MA in Pastoral Theology and Ministry from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN and a D. Min. in Spiritual Direction. I have taught contemplative prayer and spiritual formation at retreats, churches and conferences in the U.S., Europe and Africa. I am the author of Prayer: Journey from Self to God; Prayer: Journey into Reality and Contemplative Prayer: Attending to Prayer When the Well Runs Dry to be released in fall 2007. After reading his books for years, by happy chance I was able to spend a week retreating at Dayspring with Henri. I accompanied him to offer Eucharist at the group homes in Toronto, we ate meals together, washed dishes together and I was able to attend the daily Eucharist as well as informal chatting. I have never met a person so open, and real; a window to God for me. I will treasure these memories always. Because of my schedule, I’m available for email spiritual direction only.

Susan Vander Woude

I graduated from Tyndale Seminary, Toronto with a Master of Divinity Degree with a counseling focus in 2000, received training in spiritual direction at Tyndale and at Loyola House in Guelph, Onatrio, and have been a spiritual director for several years. Henri Nouwen has been an influential mentor to me through his writing and life witness. I enjoy and feel it is a great privilege to accompany others as they journey spiritually toward God. I also enjoy leading prayer retreat days, teaching listening prayer and facilitating spiritual direction groups. I have been married to Tony for 38 years and we recently moved to British Columbia after Tony's retirement. I'm a mother to three grown children and grandma to six grandchildren. I enjoy walking, hiking, reading, traveling, exploring and being a grandma.

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