NEWSLETTERS

Conference of Spiritual Directors Australia (CSD Australia) produces bi-monthly newsletter for members. The March 2024 Newsletter can be downloaded now. CSD Australia Newsletter March 2024

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

Closing Date Monday 29th April 2024 for the May 2024 issue.

Past newsletters

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

Autumn Season Invitation

As we begin the season of autumn, the seasons have much to teach us about the reality of life. The scripture passage used for the Feast Day of Mary MacKillop is : Matthew 6:26

“Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”  Matthew 6:26 NIV

That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and what you are to wear. Surely life is more than food, and the body more than clothing! Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they are?

Macrina Wiederkehr’s reflection on this passage, teaches us to stay in the place of letting go.

The Sacrament of Letting Go

I worry too much. Autumn trees ask me not to worry. They, like Jesus, suggest trust rather than worry. So often in autumn, I want to lean my head against a tree and ask what it feels like to lose so much, to be so empty, so detached, to take off one’ shoes that well, and then simply to stand and wait for God’s refilling. It sounds so simple, so easy. It isn’t easy. But it’s possible.

Seasons of your Heart: Prayers & Reflections (1979) : Macrina Wiederkehr

 

With every blessing on your ministry.

Rita Malavisi rsj National Chair

BOOK REVIEWS

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.