NEWSLETTERS

Conference of Spiritual Directors Australia (CSD Australia) produces bi-monthly newsletter for members. The latest Newsletter can be downloaded now CSD Australia Newsletter March 2026

Invitation to contribute to the newsletter: Contributions are welcome from members of CSD Australia and other organisations of spiritual directors. Please email Karen the Chair with your contributions or suggestions.

Closing Date for the next Newsletter:  Monday 27th April 2026 for the May 2026 issue.

Past newsletters

CSD Australia Newsletter December 2025.

CSD Australia Newsletter September 2025.

CSD Australia Newsletter July 2025.

CSD Australia Newsletter May 2025

CSD Australia Newsletter March 2025

CSD Australia Newsletter November 2024

CSD Australia Newsletter September 2024

CSD Australia Newsletter July 2024

CSD Australia Newsletter May 2024

CSD Australia Newsletter March 2024

CSD Australia Newsletter November 2023

CSD Australia Newsletter September 2023

CSD Australia Newsletter July 2023

CSD Australia Newsletter May 2023

CSD Australia Newsletter March 2023

CSD Australia Newsletter November 2022

CSD Australia Newsletter September 2022

CSD Australia Newsletter July 2022

CSD Australia Newsletter May 2022

CSD Australia Newsletter March 2022

CSD Australia Newsletter November 2021

CSD Australia Newsletter September 2021

CSD Australia Newsletter July 2021

CSD Australia Newsletter May 2021

CSD Australia Newsletter March 2021

CSD Australia Newsletter December 2020

CSD Australia Newsletter September 2020

Artist: Therese Quinn

NEWS FROM NATIONAL CHAIR

From the National Chair

A Shared Journey Ahead

A very warm welcome to our first newsletter of 2026, and my first as Chair.

I extend my deep thanks to each of you for your support, encouragement, and trust in me. I step into this role with a profound sense of humility and gratitude. I am keenly aware that the heart and strength of CSD Australia does not rest in any one role or voice, but in each of you.  In your wisdom, your integrity, and your faithful commitment to walking alongside others with attentiveness and reverence.

As we begin this year within the reflective season of Lent, we are invited into a time of deeper listening, renewal, and openness to transformation. There is something deeply life-giving about belonging to a community that honours the sacred movements of the Spirit in the ordinary and the extraordinary moments of life. It is this shared calling to listen deeply, to accompany gently, and to foster spaces of transformation, that continues to shape who we are together.

As we move into 2026, my hope and commitment is to support the work of CSD Australia in increasing awareness of the sacred role of Spiritual Direction. Highlighting its significance within our wider communities and ensuring we continue to grow in excellence, integrity, and responsiveness. This includes strengthening and advancing our processes, nurturing best practice, making systems where directees can connect with directors more efficiently and fostering formation that supports spiritual directors in an ever-changing world.

At the heart of this vision is a desire to deepen connection: connection with one another, connection with those we walk beside, and connection with the sacred presence that guides and sustains our work. I look forward to listening, learning, and walking this path with you. Attentive to where we are being called as a community, and open to the new possibilities that await us.

May this year be one of renewal, courage, and hope for us all.

 

With every blessing in your ministry

Karen Englebretsen

National Chair

BOOK REVIEWS

Dark Night of the Soul by Gerald May here​

Supervision of Spiritual Director: Engaging in Holy Mystery by Mary Rose Bumpus and Rebecca Bradburn Langer reviewed by Karen Englebretsen. here​

Pope Francis Hope: The Autobiography reviewed by Rita Malavisi. here​

Every Day is New by Michael McGirr reviewed by Mark Needham. here​

Enneagram Companions: Growing in Relationship and Spiritual Direction by Suzanne Zuercher reviewed by Patricia Naughton. here

Present Moment, Wonderful Moment by Thich Nhat Hanh reviewed by Fran Smullen. here

Spiritual Direction Supervision: Principles, Practices, Storytelling by Lucy Abbott Tucker reviewed by David King. here

Conversations with Silence: Rosetta Stone on the Soul by Sally Longley reviewed by Maureen O’Halloran. here

Walking the Labyrinth as the Beloved in John’s Gospel by Sally Longley reviewed by Marie O’Shea. here

The Immortal Diamond: The search for the True Self  by Richard Rohr reviewed by Gerry Kalinowski. here

Christ-Figures: There on our Screens by Peter Malone msc reviewed by Rita Malavisi. here

The Simple Care of a Hopeful Heart: Mentoring Yourself in Difficult Times by Robert J Wicks reviewed by Gail Paxman. here

Intercultural Ministry: Hope for aa Changing World by Grace Ji Sun Kim and Jann Aldredge – Clanton (Eds) reviewed by Gail Reneker. here

The Moment of Life: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda French Gates reviewed by Rita Malavisi. here

The Life You Can Save by Peter Singer reviewed by Marlene Foote. here

The Joy of Ageing: A Spirituality for Oldies by Brian Gallagher msc reviewed by Carmel Tedesco. here

10 Minutes: Gospel Reflections for Minds & Hearts by Peter Malone msc reviewed by Jeff Hood. here

Strengthening Spirit – Releasing Potential: Spiritual Direction for Leadership and Organizational Development by Bernadette Miles Read a review by Kristen Hobby here.

Three recent book releases from Brian Gallagher MSC can be viewed here.
Set Me Free: Spiritual Direction and Discernment of Spirits;
The Eyes of God: Living Discernment;
God’s Foolishness: A Spirituality of Heart.

No Greater Love by Brian Gallagher MSC. Read a review by Michelle Vass here.

See with the eyes of the heart by Chris Monaghan CP. Read a review by Tim McCowan here.

Grace by Michael Casey OCSO. Read a review by Tim Moloney CFC here.

AECSD CODE OF ETHICS

Code of Ethics for Spiritual Directors (Revised March 2019)

Introduction

In presenting this revised Code of Ethics we acknowledge the desire of the gathering of religious leaders to preserve the integrity of the practice of spiritual direction. We also acknowledge and give thanks for the wisdom and dreaming of the interim council which led to the birth of AECSD. ….

For the full text of the revised AECSD Code of Ethics click here.

Supervision Guidelines

In 2025 AECSD released Supervision Guidelines. They provide clarity for spiritual directors seeking supervision, outline the attributes and formation required for supervisors, and offer guidance for spiritual direction formation programs. The document emphasizes the importance of supervision in fostering life-giving and ethically responsible spiritual direction

For the full text of the AECSD Formation Guidelines for supervisors of Spiritual Directors click here.