About this Presentation:

While life has always been marked by change and loss, nothing could have prepared us for the sudden loss of “life as we know it” and the suffering that we have witnessed as a result of the ongoing global pandemic. 

In this program, Nicholas Collura, M.Div., considered experiences of grief in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, he helped participants to recognize and name grief in its many different forms, including anticipatory grief rooted in uncertainty, fear, and ambiguous loss, as well as collective "civic" grief for the suffering of our vulnerable world. Drawing on psychological, spiritual, and artistic resources, Nicholas shared insights regarding various means of coping with such grief and loss and concludes by inviting participants into a practice of self-compassion. 

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About our Presenter:

About this Presentation:

As the global health crisis grinds on, the demands of managing life in a new reality are taking a toll. Known routines of prayer and self-care have fallen away leaving many feeling unmoored. We invite you to take the opportunity to re-center, however briefly, in the positive connection between well-being and spirituality. 

In this program, Dr. Karen Shields Wright reflected on the commandment “Love thy Neighbor as Thyself” and what that looks like in the midst of a pandemic. What is the spiritual call to care for self and how does honoring that call, in momentary and intentional ways, naturally support flourishing and balance in body and soul? What are the ways to access the peace that surpasses understanding and, in doing so, maintain balance in this time of collective uncertainty?

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About the Presenter:

Our Fall 2019 workshop, "Spiritual Direction for Young Adults" was held on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at Ignatius House in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reflection Questions

The presentation allowed some “table time” built in for discussion for those viewing in groups. Those viewing on their own can also reflect on the following questions during this time:

1. What expectations do young adults bring to direction? Are they seeking someone to listen? To guide them? 

2. What challenges have you faced relating to these directees? What graces have you experienced working with them?

3. Have you ever directed a young adult who was estranged from the Church? Or who never identified as religious to begin with? How did it impact spiritual direction? How do you reach these young adults? 

Our spring workshop for spiritual directors was hosted at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, on March 30, 2019. This workshop was co-sponsored by the Office of Ignatian Spirituality and St. Peter's Catholic Church.

This two-part video series is excerpted from OIS's spiritual direction workshop, titled "Beyond the Myths of Grief: Wisdom for Spiritual Accompaniment" and presented by Melissa Kelley, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. This workshop was presented on April 21, 2018, and co-sponsored by the Office of Ignatian Spirituality and Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. To view the program in its entirety, click here.

Part I – The Myths of Grief and Beyond (75 minutes)

In this segment, Dr. Kelley sheds light on four myths of grief that have come to limit our understanding of and response to grief and loss. She addresses each myth by sharing insights from contemporary grief theory and emphasizes that faith and spiritual dimensions can be both a comfort and a challenge for those who companion others through times of grief.

Part II – Faith, Resilience, and Spiritual Accompaniment (50 minutes)

In this segment, Dr. Kelley draws upon well-known research linking resilience and self-care. She goes on to suggest ways that faith and spirituality, including concepts of meaning-making, mystery, and Christian hope, help to cultivate resilience in times of grief and loss.

Co-sponsored by the Office of Ignatian Spirituality and Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

Presenter: Melissa Kelley, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.

Resources:

• Slide Presentation

• References

About the Presenter:

Melissa M. Kelley is associate professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling and the faculty director of the Professional Ministry Practicum at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Previously, she was on the faculty of Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, MA. She has many years of pastoral-clinical experience, including serving as a campus minister for 14 years at both Boston College and Emmanuel College in Boston. She holds a PhD from Boston University in pastoral psychology. 

Dr. Kelley is a fellow and nationally certified pastoral counselor through the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. She is also certified in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement through the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the primary organization in the country for all bereavement researchers, educators, and clinicians. She is a pastoral formation guide with the Metropolitan Boston Association of the United Church of Christ and is the author of Grief: Contemporary Theory and the Practice of Ministry, published in 2010 by Augsburg Fortress Press.

On Saturday, April 1, 2017, Fr. Brian McDermott, SJ, addressed our Ignatian spirituality conference "We Walk with a Heart That Does Not Rest." More than 400 people participated in the conference either in person or online.

Presentation materials: Conference Program, Fr. McDermott’s presentation.

Here is the full video of Fr. McDermott's presentation: