Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is witnessing one’s relationship with God in their life, while therapy addresses emotional and psychological well-being with the intent to change something. Both can complement each other, but they serve different purposes.
This journey is usually a one-hour one-to-one meeting with one seeker acting in service to the other. Often, they speak. Often, they don’t.
You may talk about anything that happens in your life: work, play, relationships, personal struggles but always with a central question: Where is God in your life and how you may deepen your relationship with God?
Spiritual directors are trained professionals who offer guidance through prayerful listening. They follow ethical standards with complete confidentiality, receive supervision, and may be clergy or laypersons.
If you have general questions about spiritual direction, please contact email Nancy J Jones.
Parishioners are free to contact their Spiritual Director of choice via the contact information listed in the bios on this page.
- Eligibility: Open to adults 18 and older from all faith traditions.
- Format: Sessions can be in-person or virtual.
- Cost: Fees range from $45-$75 per session. A sliding scale is available, and each director will work with you individually.
- Frequency: Typically, once a month.
Spiritual Directors
Kathy Sales
Kathy Sales
A transplant from Ohio, my husband and I moved to Raleigh in 2019 and became active members of St. Francis shortly thereafter. As a mother of two adult children and a grandmother of two, my family is my heart.
I offer spiritual direction and care to anyone who desires a deeper relationship with God. As an active, certified Spiritual Director since 2013, I have witnessed individuals seeking God daily. My focus areas for direction are those experiencing a life transition or discernment of the next steps in their faith journey, college students and young adults, women’s issues, and those grieving. I have experience with Catholic directors and those from a different Christian faith tradition.
Deacon Phil Rzewnicki
Phil Rzewnicki, OFS
Permanent Deacon (ret.)
919-961-0206
philrzewnicki@gmail.com
Opportunities in my professional career as an agronomist and my voluntary church ministry as an ordained permanent deacon have enabled me to be happily married to my wife, Anna, for 51 years. I was baptized Roman Catholic soon after my birth in my hometown of Chicago, Illinois. We have raised one son and two daughters. We have three grandchildren (two in Ohio and one in Virginia). We are currently empty nesters, except for one dog.
My career as an agronomist in the Cooperative Extension Service has employed five land-grant universities. Each community’s local Catholic church parish was the ‘home base’ for social and faith-based activities. Anna and I often volunteered in faith formation and led scripture studies in each parish. This included participation in interfaith discussion groups and the Cursillo and Charismatic renewal movements. In Nebraska, I felt a calling to the diaconate. I was ordained in 1985. Since coming to Raleigh in 2003, I have been involved with prison ministry, have become a certified spiritual director, and have led and taught in ecumenical Christian spiritual formation in the Triangle area. I was a deacon for St. Thomas More Parish in Chapel Hill (8 years) and Holy Cross Church in Durham (11 years) in this diocese. In 2020, I professed to live the rest of my life as a Secular Franciscan.
I have been a certified spiritual director since 2009. I listen with a compassionate heart. I encourage my directees to tell me what is going on with their relationships with others (family, co-workers, acquaintances). Questions on my part are open-ended to encourage conversation. I emphasize being a companion on a directee’s spiritual journey, assuring confidentiality on my part. We explore together where or how God is relating to him or her. I consider it a privilege to gain their trust.
Gladys Whitehouse
Gladys Whitehouse, OFS
sfaspiritualdirection@gmail.com
919-906-0289
In experiencing spiritual direction, I have been awakened to the mystery of God’s presence and action in my daily life and have learned how to respond more freely. However, this is an ongoing challenge. Most of us need a companion who can listen to the inner movements of the
Holy Spirit and accompany us on this journey of spiritual awakening. That is the role of a spiritual director. We are there to listen, to pray for and with you, the directee, and hopefully ask questions that will lead to a more profound listening within.
My original formation for spiritual direction was done through the Shalem Institute. I have also been trained in Ignatian spirituality, group spiritual direction, and contemplative prayer groups and retreats. I was on staff at the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi for 14 years and
am a Secular Franciscan.
My husband and I have been married for 60 years and together parented nine children. One is Transgender, another was adopted after losing a child in infancy, and our youngest has Down syndrome. Learning to rely on God through all this has deepened my love and commitment to
live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Prayer is a spiritual charism that has deepened my faith and love for God. Being a companion on another’s spiritual journey is an honor and a privilege. I consider it a gift to share my gifts with others seeking to grow in their relationship with God.
Nancy Jones
Nancy J Jones, OblOSB
I am so happy that you feel God’s invitation to spiritual direction. This ministry is a unique call to a relationship with the Blessed Trinity and a lifetime journey. I’ve been practicing spiritual direction since 2017, and my directees have included women and men from all age groups, with Catholics and other Christian denominations, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and, since 2024, men incarcerated on death row.
I am humbled by the beauty of spiritual direction and how the Holy Spirit works between us in our time together. You will grow in your relationship with God in different ways, and I hope to be your companion and help you find your own unique way.
I am an Ignatian-trained spiritual director. Completing the Spiritual Exercises profoundly changed my relationship with God. Starting in Spring 2020, I will offer a one-on-one 12-week Ignatian Retreat in Everyday Life, Finding Christ in the World (by Joseph Tetlow, SJ). I have also been a group spiritual direction mentor with Shalem Institute, where I trained as a Contemplative Prayer and retreat Leader.
I look forward to hearing from you and will be praying for you!
Kathy Sales
Kathy Sales
A transplant from Ohio, my husband and I moved to Raleigh in 2019 and became active members of St. Francis shortly thereafter. As a mother of two adult children and a grandmother of two, my family is my heart.
I offer spiritual direction and care to anyone who desires a deeper relationship with God. As an active, certified Spiritual Director since 2013, I have witnessed individuals seeking God daily. My focus areas for direction are those experiencing a life transition or discernment of the next steps in their faith journey, college students and young adults, women's issues, and those grieving. I have experience with Catholic directors and those from a different Christian faith tradition.
Deacon Phil Rzewnicki
Phil Rzewnicki, OFS
Permanent Deacon (ret.)
919-961-0206
philrzewnicki@gmail.com
Opportunities in my professional career as an agronomist and my voluntary church ministry as an ordained permanent deacon have enabled me to be happily married to my wife, Anna, for 51 years. I was baptized Roman Catholic soon after my birth in my hometown of Chicago, Illinois. We have raised one son and two daughters. We have three grandchildren (two in Ohio and one in Virginia). We are currently empty nesters, except for one dog.
My career as an agronomist in the Cooperative Extension Service has employed five land-grant universities. Each community's local Catholic church parish was the ‘home base’ for social and faith-based activities. Anna and I often volunteered in faith formation and led scripture studies in each parish. This included participation in interfaith discussion groups and the Cursillo and Charismatic renewal movements. In Nebraska, I felt a calling to the diaconate. I was ordained in 1985. Since coming to Raleigh in 2003, I have been involved with prison ministry, have become a certified spiritual director, and have led and taught in ecumenical Christian spiritual formation in the Triangle area. I was a deacon for St. Thomas More Parish in Chapel Hill (8 years) and Holy Cross Church in Durham (11 years) in this diocese. In 2020, I professed to live the rest of my life as a Secular Franciscan.
I have been a certified spiritual director since 2009. I listen with a compassionate heart. I encourage my directees to tell me what is going on with their relationships with others (family, co-workers, acquaintances). Questions on my part are open-ended to encourage conversation. I emphasize being a companion on a directee’s spiritual journey, assuring confidentiality on my part. We explore together where or how God is relating to him or her. I consider it a privilege to gain their trust.
Gladys Whitehouse
Gladys Whitehouse, OFS
sfaspiritualdirection@gmail.com
919-906-0289
In experiencing spiritual direction, I have been awakened to the mystery of God’s presence and action in my daily life and have learned how to respond more freely. However, this is an ongoing challenge. Most of us need a companion who can listen to the inner movements of the
Holy Spirit and accompany us on this journey of spiritual awakening. That is the role of a spiritual director. We are there to listen, to pray for and with you, the directee, and hopefully ask questions that will lead to a more profound listening within.
My original formation for spiritual direction was done through the Shalem Institute. I have also been trained in Ignatian spirituality, group spiritual direction, and contemplative prayer groups and retreats. I was on staff at the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi for 14 years and
am a Secular Franciscan.
My husband and I have been married for 60 years and together parented nine children. One is Transgender, another was adopted after losing a child in infancy, and our youngest has Down syndrome. Learning to rely on God through all this has deepened my love and commitment to
live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Prayer is a spiritual charism that has deepened my faith and love for God. Being a companion on another’s spiritual journey is an honor and a privilege. I consider it a gift to share my gifts with others seeking to grow in their relationship with God.
Nancy Jones
Nancy J Jones, OblOSB
I am so happy that you feel God’s invitation to spiritual direction. This ministry is a unique call to a relationship with the Blessed Trinity and a lifetime journey. I’ve been practicing spiritual direction since 2017, and my directees have included women and men from all age groups, with Catholics and other Christian denominations, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and, since 2024, men incarcerated on death row.
I am humbled by the beauty of spiritual direction and how the Holy Spirit works between us in our time together. You will grow in your relationship with God in different ways, and I hope to be your companion and help you find your own unique way.
I am an Ignatian-trained spiritual director. Completing the Spiritual Exercises profoundly changed my relationship with God. Starting in Spring 2020, I will offer a one-on-one 12-week Ignatian Retreat in Everyday Life, Finding Christ in the World (by Joseph Tetlow, SJ). I have also been a group spiritual direction mentor with Shalem Institute, where I trained as a Contemplative Prayer and retreat Leader.
I look forward to hearing from you and will be praying for you!