Tag Archives: Father Richard Soo

Falling in Love

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

How can I go off-grid for eight days while our priest was away? I had heard that the Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver was offering another eight-day retreat. I considered going, but I’m one of the churchwardens who, along with … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Using Our Imaginations to Be with Christ in Holy Week

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

In the past few posts (and in my upcoming Good Friday post), I have shared how Christ has shown compassion for me in my suffering. Now I want to be with Jesus in his suffering. The best way I know … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Easter, Holy Week, Ignatian Spirituality, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Resource | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Helping Each Other Make It Home

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

As you can imagine, I have been reflecting on the love mischief of tears and paying attention to what has come to my awareness. Five truths have emerged. 1. I didn’t deserve to be bullied. That statement alone brings me … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, community, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Insight and Encounter

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

When my friend’s granddaughter “Amy” was diagnosed with high functioning autism, she and her family felt like they’d cracked a code. They finally understood why Amy interacts with the world the way she does. With these insights, she could make … Continue reading →

Posted in autism, Ignatian Spirituality, Overeating, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Satisfying the Desires of All

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“Insights are a dime a dozen,” Father Richard explained to the small gathering of spiritual directors last Sunday afternoon. “It doesn’t matter so much what an experience in prayer means; what matters is that we stay with God in it.” Relief washed … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Spiritual Direction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

DIY Retreat #5: When Israel Was a Child I Loved Her

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Here is another one-day prayer/silent retreat outline in the Ignatian tradition prepared by my friend Joy Richardson, a spiritual director in Coquitlam. You can find other  outlines under resources.  Here’s an introduction. “When Israel Was a Child I Loved Her…” Welcome God’s Presence … Continue reading →

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The Voice of Love Loving

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I woke in the night feeling condemned for overeating. A voice kept at me, relentlessly inflicting guilt and shame. It blamed me for using my addiction to food as an excuse to sin. It called me a hypocrite. I repented and vowed … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Overeating, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

God’s Exuberant, Uncontainable Love

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

God’s crazy about us. If you’ve been reading my blog lately, you’d know that God has me riveted to this theme. God’s exuberance is uncontainable. Recently I stumbled upon this quote by Henri Nouwen, God does not require a pure heart before … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments