I didn’t set out to serve as a spiritual director.  God invited me over time, first through a growing relationship.  A lifelong Catholic, I was a wife and young mother when God first called me through a desire to grow in prayer.  God always picks the right time- I had five children ages 2-11 and was beginning a practice in Childbirth education as a nurse entrepreneur!  That let to praying with a group, then genuine encounter with the Divine and deepening prayer and study.  Ministries in women’s groups, liturgical ministries, and coordinator of OCIA for a large parish followed.   It was there that my then pastor encouraged me to pursue spiritual direction.

I completed the internship in spiritual direction in 2009 and have been offering ongoing spiritual direction since then to men and women of all ages.  I am particularly drawn to those who want to go deep in their prayer and relationship with God, to go beyond saying prayers to praying as Jesus did.  Lately, I’ve become increasingly aware of the effects of trauma on one’s spirituality and image of God.

In addition to ongoing spiritual companioning, I am active in ISP , offering retreats to women who are in recovery from substance abuse and have experienced homelessness and volunteer with Ignatian Volunteer Corps.

I see directees Monday-Thursday, 8am-5pm; in person or zoom.  My contact information is as follows: yhymel09@gmail.com; 504-481-4319