Spiritual Direction / Spiritual Companioning

The primary task of spiritual companioning or guidance is to help another person notice how God is present in their life, and how they are responding to God.

The guide or companion acts as a listening, supportive person who creates an atmosphere in which the other can look honestly at her/his relationship with God, as it is lived out in everyday experience.

Important aspects of spiritual guidance or companioning include:

  • Discernment: to discuss the direction of one’s life as it develops in relationship with God.
  • Resources: referral to courses, reading materials, workshops, retreats.
  • Grounding: regular sessions which invite a remembering and awareness of the holy in daily life.

The frequency of visits with a spiritual guide or companion may vary with each person, and with the events in one’s life at a particular time. Visits may be two-monthly, monthly, or more frequently.

The following Spiritual Directors/Companions work from our premises:

Anne Warren CHF

I am a Holy Faith Sister with a background in primary school teaching,  administration and counselling. My ministry now is in spiritual accompaniment including retreat guidance.

Cathryn Wiles-Pickard rsm

I am a member of Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy NZ and have been working at our Spirituality Centre (Now called Hou Mana Wai Mercy Wellsprings) for many years. We have an ecumenical approach and I’m open to companion anyone whatever their Christian Tradition.

I practice daily Christian Meditation and have been a teacher of Christian Meditation for over twenty years. I’m also very interested in Creation Spirituality and Cosmology and meet regularly with an interest group. I have had opportunities of studying Scripture, Theology and Spirituality in New Zealand, Australia and America.

Approach to spiritual direction
I trained through the Spiritual Growth Ministry NZ and have been a Spiritual Director for 17 Years. I prefer to use the term Companion as I believe I am accompanying a person on their spiritual journey. I like to listen to the person – allow them to ‘tell their story’ encouraging them to trust their own personal experiences – reflect upon their experiences and ‘seeing’ how God is present in the ordinary and sometimes extraordinary daily events of life.

I offer Spiritual Direction online as well as in person.

I also facilitate Daily Retreats and Reflection Days on various themes.

Sheryl James rsm

iI am a member of Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy NZ and offer Spiritual Direction/counselling online as well as in person.

I believe life is a gift given by God and that “Our lives are not problems to be solved but journeys to be taken.”― Henri J. M. Nouwen, Spiritual Direction

I am a qualified counsellor and spiritual director with a special interest in transition, loss and grief, dementia and spirituality, wellbeing, creativity, and spirituality. At present I am doing a Graduate Certificate in Supervsion through Australia Catholic University. I have a special interest in dreams and visions. As a chaplain in aged care for 18 years, my experience includes walking beside the elderly and family as they transition into care as well as offering pastoral and spiritual care to staff, residents and their families in death and dying.

As a Spiritual Director, I am a soul friend to others as I accompany others as they search to deepen their relationship with the divine and grow in their own personal spiritual journey.

For me, “the real Director is the Holy Spirit hidden in the depths of our soul.” Thomas Merton.

Libby Thorp

I am very grateful for my Christian journey which spans several denominations. I aim to live as lightly as I can on our beautiful earth and I believe that God’s love and mercy is wide and broad. I am specifically in tune to grief and loss, and the process of faith deconstruction and reconnecting with the faith journey in healthy and creative ways.
I am a mother of 4 bustling children and wife to Alan. I am a qualified Registered Nurse working as a school nurse in the Epsom area, I enjoy being connected within my local community. I have a Diploma in Christian Studies from Regent College Vancouver. And have studied spiritual direction through SGM New Zealand, I have regular supervision and find the practice of Spiritual Direction to be life giving.

Association of Christian Spiritual Directors in New Zealand (ACSD)

Our spiritual directors are members of ACSD. If you would like to find a Spiritual director closer to you, click here.

If you would like to find someone through the Centre who could provide companioning or guidance on your spiritual journey, please fill in the form below. Alternatively you can call Cathryn on 021 1876 986
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"Hou Mana Wai Mercy Wellsprings is a welcoming and calm centre, well held and organised by Srs Cathryn and Rita. You can sense the many hours of community and spirit shared as soon as you you enter the building, and sit in the space. The comfortable buildings are surrounded by gardens, outdoor spaces, and well-planted older treed grounds out front. A lovely, simple venue with all that a group needs to refresh, replenish and learn together onsite."      
Simon d'Orsogna
Internal Family Structures, Australia and NZ
"Hou Mana Wai Mercy Wellsprings is a welcoming and calm centre, well held and organised by Srs Cathryn and Rita. You can sense the many hours of community and spirit shared as soon as you you enter the building, and sit in the space. The comfortable buildings are surrounded by gardens, outdoor spaces, and well-planted older treed grounds out front. A lovely, simple venue with all that a group needs to refresh, replenish and learn together onsite."      
Simon d'Orsogna 10.8.23
Simon d'Orsogna
Internal Family Structures, Australia and NZ
"The opening ritual of Hou Mana Wai Mercy Wellsprings in 2022 was a joy to attend. The presence of God’s spirit of life, love and joy was palpable... the spirit permeates this place - an oasis of peace and restoration, a source of new life for those who breathe its air and absorb the prayerfulness that permeates the gardens and walls of the buildings … a precious gift for the people of Tamaki Makaurau and beyond."
Adrienne Dunlop rndm
Spiritual Director
"The opening ritual of Hou Mana Wai Mercy Wellsprings in 2022 was a joy to attend.  The presence of God’s spirit of life, love and joy was palpable ... the spirit  permeates this place - an oasis of peace and restoration, a source of new life for  those who breathe its air and absorb the prayerfulness that permeates the gardens and walls of the buildings … a precious gift for the people of Tamaki Makaurau and beyond."
Adrienne Dunlop rndm 10.8.23
Adrienne Dunlop rndm
Spiritual Director
“Hou Mana Wai Mercy Wellsprings is central and close to the motorway; parking on site; facilities are meticulously clean; warm and inviting large room with comfortable chairs; delightful gardens. The true value of this centre is the dedication and care by the Sisters. A welcoming calm oasis in Auckland City.”
Jan Haworth
Mindfulness Aotearoa
“Hou Mana Wai Mercy Wellsprings is central and close to the motorway; parking on site; facilities are meticulously clean; warm and inviting large room with comfortable chairs; delightful gardens. The true value of this centre is the dedication and care by the Sisters. A welcoming calm oasis in Auckland City.”
Jan Haworth  1A0.08.23
Jan Haworth
Mindfulness Aotearoa
"The Centre is a sacred space offering contemplative practices and prayer. It is creatively curated, warmly welcoming, inclusive and built on a rich heritage of committed service, generous hospitality and an invitation to reflection, rest and renewal. It is a much appreciated gift, nourishing my soul. I highly recommend Hou Mana Wai Mercy Wellsprings."
Jenny Caston
Soulcare
"The Centre is a sacred space offering contemplative practices and prayer. It is creatively curated, warmly welcoming, inclusive and built on a rich heritage of committed service, generous hospitality and an invitation to reflection, rest and renewal. It is a much appreciated gift, nourishing my soul. I highly recommend Hou Mana Wai Mercy Wellsprings."
Jenny Caston (01) 10.08.23
Jenny Caston
Soulcare

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