Spiritual direction is a ministry which fosters an individual's personal, intimate relationship with God. It is assistance given to one person (the directee) by another person (the director) which enables the directee:

To pay more attention to God's presence and activity in her or his life
To become more aware of God's loving desires
To respond with great freedom to the mystery of this unconditional love

Why is Spiritual Direction helpful?

Spiritual direction is helpful because it enables the directee to focus on and to articulate her or his experience of God in the myriad and mysterious ways in which God is present:

In prayer and in the sacred writings of various faith traditions
In people and in human relationships
In the natural beauty of creation
In the wonders inherent in the ordinary events of daily life

In exploring these experiences and the feelings connected with them, the directee can again encounter the mystery of God and God's loving call at even deeper levels.

When is Spiritual Direction Appropriate?

Spiritual direction is appropriate for anyone with a personal commitment to prayer, but especially:

When one desires to deepen an already existing relationship with God
When one is experiencing a significant transition or loss
When one's prayer life seems stagnant or "stuck"
When one is discerning critical life choices
When one's vague restlessness leads to a search for something more

How does one arrange for Spiritual Direction?

One arranges for spiritual direction by calling to schedule an initial interview with Rene Perreault the facilitator of the Spiritual Direction Ministry. During this first session, dates, times, cost and choice of spiritual director will be discussed. For more information or to make an appointment, contact:

Rene Perreault
Facilitator of Spiritual Direction
Phone: (401) 274-3434
Fax: (401) 453-0034
Email: info@stfrancischapel.com

Spiritual Directors

Alice M. Cotter
is a graduate of the 3-year Spirituality of Christian Leadership Program at Our Lady of Peace Spiritual Life Center, in Narragansett, RI. She is also a Graduate of the 3-year Spiritual Direction Certificate Program, at Mercy Center, in Madison, CT. She has been actively engaged in Spiritual Direction ministry for the past eleven years.

Fr. Charles O'Connor, OFM
holds a doctorate in Theology and a diploma in the art of Spiritual Direction. Much of his priestly ministry has been spent in education and spiritual direction. Presently, he is working in the area of Adult Faith Formation, Spiritual Life, and is the Director of Worship at Church of St. Mary and St. Francis Chapel.

Rene Perreault
has certification in Spiritual Direction from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT. He is presently on the Spiritual Direction staff of Church of St. Mary and St. Francis Chapel in Providence, RI and St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, MA. Rene is a member of Spiritual Directors International and is a board member of its Regional Group. At Church of St. Mary/St. Francis, he is the facilitator of the Spiritual Direction Ministry and also the Director of Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation. He is the facilitator of Engage--the Franciscan Nonviolent Peacemaking Program, and Manager of Men's Concerns. He serves on a volunteer basis at the Miriam Hospital of Providence, in the Spiritual Care Department ministering to the needs of the patients and staff.

Fr. Frank Sevola, OFM
is the Pastor of Church of St. Mary in Providence and Guardian and Executive Director of St. Francis Chapel. He is a certified Spiritual Director with certification from the Spiritual Direction Program at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. He holds degrees in History, Theology, and Organizational Management. He has spent 10 years in parish work in Connecticut, New York and Arizona, and has also worked as a vocation director and the director of a domestic violence shelter.

The Ministry of the Franciscan Friars in the City of Providence, Rhode Island

General Inquiries: info@stfrancischapel.com