We need to find God, who cannot be found in noise and restlessness.
See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence.
See the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...
We need silence to be able to touch souls.
~ Mother Teresa ~
Spiritual direction and massage therapy are available during retreats at the CSA Hermitages for an additional fee.
Costs are arranged when you make appointments with the spiritual director or massage therapist.
What is Spiritual Direction?
“If you do not have someone to guide you, to hold onto you during the times of not knowing, you will normally stay at your present level of growth.” –Father Richard Rohr, founder of Center for Action and Contemplation.
Through deep listening, a spiritual companion can help others explore a deeper relationship with God without judging, proselytizing, or preaching. Sharing with a trained companion allows one to navigate life’s journey with courage, wisdom and a renewed sense of life.
Spiritual direction is not religious education—learning more about your faith tradition. Nor is it counseling or therapy—receiving professional advice for problem-solving.
Spiritual Direction at Hermitage
A hermitage provides time away from the ordinary duties and pace of life to rest, reflect and renew oneself. Seeking spiritual direction while in this sacred place can enrich this experience. Meeting with a spiritual companion offers the opportunity to listen deeply, ponder significant questions and explore the journey of one’s life in a safe place.
Usually, monthly appointments last about an hour, with a stipend offered, ranging from $40-$70 per session. All these are negotiable in the initial meeting.
Sister Beatrice Lindsay, CSA
Massage Therapist
I completed studies in massage and became nationally certified in 1996. After practicing in New Mexico from 1996 – 2002, I moved to Fond du Lac, where I have established a practice. I am certified for massage in Wisconsin and am a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. In addition to massage, I also provide basic cranio-sacral and ear candling.
Sister Ruth Battaglia, CSA
Spiritual Director
In 2015, I completed my training in Spiritual Direction from the Franciscan Spirituality Center, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Occasionally, since the mid 1980’s I accompanied individuals in their spiritual journey. My Master’s degree in Religious Education, with a concentration in liturgy, is from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. I have served as high school Social Studies and Theology teacher, Parish Minister and member of the leadership community of my community, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA). I am active in social justice causes and am the former Coordinator of the Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation office for CSA.
Sister Rhea Emmer, CSA
Spiritual Director
Spiritual Direction and retreat ministry have been my avocation for the past 40 years. I am a registered nurse and taught applied spirituality to healthcare professionals for 35 years. I am a graduate of the Christian Spirituality Program at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and have served on the summer staff at the Jesuit Retreat House, Oshkosh, Wisconsin since 1978. I believe that God is love and that we are the beloved of God. It takes a lifetime to let that sink in!!! Silence and solitude are doorways for love to enter us.
Sister Jean Hinderer, CSA
Spiritual Director
My Spiritual Direction preparation is from the Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, WI. Presently, I am a mentor for participants in that three-year program as they prepare to be a spiritual guide. I have been a spiritual guide and retreat director for over 20 years, and I believe that through the Scriptures, prayer, and with the use of imagination and creativity, we can become aware that our own life’s story is filled with “joyful and sorrowful mysteries” where God is always present with unconditional love and mercy. I have also worked in education, formation ministry, and vocation discernment ministry in my community for a number of years. I also write a weekly blog that is posted on the CSA website.
Sister Jomarie Zielke
Spiritual Director
Spiritual Guidance is a way of walking with another person on their life journey. In this is very privileged, sacred work the guide is present to the other as they share their life of encountering their God, the Divine Mystery. Each individual holds the answers and wisdom for their life within them. As a spiritual guide, I listen closely to what is being shared, ask questions to look more deeply, reinforce what the seeker has said as ways to discover their way. My professional training in spiritual guidance is fairly recent-in the Spiritual Guidance Training Program at Siena Retreat Center, but my life experience provides a firm foundation for this ministry.
Sister Patrice Rog, CSA
Spiritual Director
After completing my training for Spiritual Direction in Chicago, I was on staff at a small “house of prayer” in the African-American community and then joined the staff of Monte Alverno retreat center in Appleton, WI.During that time, I journeyed with people striving to find God. I am in awe at the many wonderous ways God is present in our lives. My delight is to walk with others as they experience God.
Sister René Backe
Spiritual Director
I earned a Master’s in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University and certification in spiritual and retreat direction in 1989. I have been companioning people spiritually for over 40 years. I have been Religious Education Director and involved in pastoral ministry in parishes as well as Academic Director for Deacon and Lay Ministry Formation in the Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico. I was Vicar for Religious in that Diocese and Director of Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Gallup. My goal in spiritual direction ministry is to serve the relationship of a person with God who so profoundly loves them.
Sister Susan Seeby, CSA
Spiritual Director
I am a graduate of the Christian Spirituality Program at Creighton University in Omaha. I have been engaged in the ministry of Spiritual Direction and retreat direction for 11 years, including preached and directed retreats at the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh. In addition to ministry of Spiritual Direction, I have taught Theology, at the high school level. I was a member of the Staff of the Brother David Darst Center for Spirituality and Education in Chicago, Illinois. I am a member of the leadership team of my community, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Agnes. In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. I believe that we are deeply loved by God and in the quiet may come to truly know this love.