Tag Archives: spiritual director

Wide and Deep

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I finally received my first royalty cheque from Amazon over a year after I published Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim. The amount? One hundred dollars and seventy-five cents. Humbling. I always wanted to write a book. Praying the Ignatian Exercises as … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged America magazine, Andrew Garfield, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Love and Living, Martin Scorsese, Maxine Hancock, Silence, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, Thomas Merton | 2 Comments

In the Flow

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

“Have you found a job yet?” I asked “Kyle” (not his real name) who has been sober for three months now. Kyle’s been through treatment and recovery a few times in the past seventeen years and never lasted more than six … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged addiction, at dead man's chest, Esther Hizsa, Everything Belongs, Ken Ryan, King of Kensington, Nadya Peek, Peter Castleton, push the river, Richard Rohr, river neath waterfall, Shirley Hatch, sobriety, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Choosing Life

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

In the past month, I’ve had conversations with a number of people addicted to alcohol and drugs who are now sober. One day at a time, they are rebuilding their bodies, their lives and their relationships. Each one–whether they’ve been sober for weeks or … Continue reading →

Posted in Overeating, Reflections, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Carlo Scherer, drops, Esther Hizsa, Joshua 24:15, Last Day, Rachel Titiriga, Richard Rohr, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Divine Dance, The Shack, Tylerwardis, William Paul Young | 2 Comments

DIY Retreat #8: God: Almighty Gentleness

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Here is another one-day prayer/silent retreat outline prepared by my friend Joy Richardson, a spiritual director in Coquitlam. You’ll find the introduction to DIY group prayer retreats here and other outlines under resources. GOD: ALMIGHTY GENTLENESS After people have gathered, begin with a time of … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer Retreat Outline | Tagged 1 John 4:17-19, Andrei Rublev, Andrew Hyde, Cinnamon Funch, Coffee with a friend, crayons, Esther Hizsa, Funkybug, Icon of the Holy Trinity, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Joy Is Measurable, Joy Richardson, Karl Kaufman, Let Yourself Be Loved, Moonbeams, Phillip Bennett, Pondering, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Christmas Spent

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I didn’t intend to have an unsentimental Christmas. It just turned out that way. I enjoyed gatherings with friends and family, giving gifts of homemade granola, and watching A Charlie Brown Christmas again. But the tinsel and romance of the season left me … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Homelessness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, presents under the tree, Richard Rohr, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, vulnerability of God, Wednesday Lunch Club | 2 Comments

A Patch of Fog

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“Turn on your lights and slow down,” Fred said. The fog on the road was so thick, we couldn’t see more that a few metres in front of us. I drove slowly, silently, looking for red tail lights and road signs … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Anne Yungwirth, being present, bravelittlebird, David Wagoner, Esther Hizsa, Heavy Fog, Houston Marsh, John Knox Christian School, Lost, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stand still, Super Thick Fog leaving Montalvo | 2 Comments

A Sense of God’s Presence

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

This month I returned to Bowen Island to spend a few days alone with God. I hoped it would help me get through the dark months ahead. I didn’t have much of a sense of God’s presence until I passed by a church and … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Alan Feebery, Barbara Brown Taylor, Beeston Church, Bill Ingalls, Bowen Island, Esther Hizsa, FarelGab, Gerald May, Howth St.Mary's Church, Learning to Walk in the Dark, Luke 17:20-25, Metro Vancouver, Perseid meteor shower, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Dark Night of the Soul | 3 Comments

The King of Kensington

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“I have some sad news for you,” the minister said and paused. “Ken Ryan asked me to give you a call. He’s got lung cancer. Stage 4. He’d like to see you.” If you’ve read my book, you may recall Ken, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Stories | Tagged Burnaby Now, death, Esther Hizsa, fear of death, John 14:1-3, Ken Ryan, King of Kensington, Lou Ryan, Luke 20:27-38, Richard Walker, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stairway to Heaven?, Tereza Verenca | 4 Comments

When We Find No Rest

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“How was your weekend?” I asked “Bonnie” when I visited her again. With a pained expression, she confessed that it hadn’t been easy. Her fears were having a heyday with her, and she felt defenceless against them. Once again she was on the cross … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Ameripride Canadian LInens, Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness, Christian.Rudman, comfort kits, Day of Service, End Homelessness in Burnaby, Esther Hizsa, Frederick Buechner, Martha Carlough, Psalm 22:1-2, Psalm 23, Salzburg Cross, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, stillness, The Sacred Journey, Wanda Mulholland | Leave a comment

God’s Salvific Love

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“This helplessness, what’s it like?” asked my spiritual director. It took me a few minutes to let the feeling return to my body. It’s how I felt the night I was driving to a friend’s house in the rain. I … Continue reading →