The ISI welcomes those who serve in parishes, retreat ministries, campus ministry, and other Church-related works. Men and women of diverse faith and professional backgrounds are welcome. The ISI offers theological and spiritual tools for deepening Christian life and ministry, in schools, church congregations, or other ministries. Undergraduate students may participate as part of the 10-credit TRS internship.
As an affiliate program of John Carroll University’s Office of Mission and Identity, the ISI conducts all courses at the University.
Simply stated, a spiritual director is one who accompanies another in their life of faith, and their relationship with God. The core of this relationship concerns spiritual experience and discernment.
Based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, ISI courses focus on the study of contemporary theology with classroom sessions, retreats, small group work, and a supervised practicum during the second year.
The program is designed around three areas of study:
• The writings of St. Ignatius Loyola: Autobiography, Spiritual Exercises, Letters, Diary, and contemporary commentary
• Spirituality: Ignatius and the Christian Mystical Tradition, Christology, discernment
• Spiritual direction: art and practice
Requirements
- A completed application, a written spiritual autobiography, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and an interview with the Director of ISI
Tuition
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$3,000 per year or $1,500 per semester due at the beginning of each semester. Scholarships are available.
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More information regarding the total cost of attendance can be found here.
Apply here!
Rev. Thomas J. Pipp, S.J.
Ordained to the Society of Jesus in 1992, Rev. Thomas J. Pipp, S.J. currently serves as Director of the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University. Fr. Pipp is the superior of the Jesuit Community at John Carroll.
Tom has two degrees in theology from the (former) Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California.
Bill Hobbs
Bill Hobbs serves as an instructor for the ISI, as well as the Director of the Jesuit Retreat Center in Parma, Ohio. Bill has had a long and vibrant career in Catholic education and Jesuit ministry. A native of South Jersey, Bill earned undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and Theology at Saint Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania before obtaining his master’s degree in Adolescent Religious Development from Fordham University in New York City.
Bill then joined the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus in 1991, but later left the Jesuits to work in both Benedictine and Sacred Heart Schools before returning to Jesuit education at Rochester’s McQuaid Jesuit as Principal and President. He went on to earn a Doctorate in Education, with a focus on Spirituality and Leadership, as well as a certificate in spiritual direction through the Haden Institute in North Carolina, where he serves as a faculty member and mentor.
Liz Woconish
Liz Woconish has ministered in spiritual direction, retreats, education and parish work for more than 25 years. In addition to her role as an instructor for the ISI, Liz is the Director of Religious Education at St. Dominic Parish in Shaker Heights, Ohio where she has served the large, dynamic, and diverse parish since 2013.
Originally from Elyria, Ohio, Liz earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Notre Dame College in South Euclid. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Christian Spirituality and Certification as a Spiritual Director/Retreat Director from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Liz lived as a vowed member of the Sisters of Notre Dame for a time, and now finds God in all things as a wife and mother. She currently resides in the Cleveland area with her husband and daughter.
Michelle Buehrer
Email: mbuehrer@jcu.edu
Phone: 216.397.1599
IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY INSTITUTE,
Mass with Commissioning of Spiritual Directors, Sunday, May 5th, 2024.
Sadie Hackett: "The completion of this program means I can enter into meaningful work to accompany people in their spiritual lives. It is an honor and privilege to walk with people as they deepen their relationship with God, and this program has helped me to build a skill set to do this with love, compassion, and integrity."
Angie Ortenzi: "The completion of the ISI program means the start of a new journey to serve the Lord as a Spiritual Director. I have received Spiritual Direction for many years and feel humbled to be called to accompany another in their faith life. The ISI program has provided the training I need to move into this new role."
Megan Bolin '25: "I first heard about the ISI program from a friend and after years of praying about it, I decided to pursue it. I worked in ministry for several years and was always told that I should explore becoming a spiritual director. The ISI program has been incredible. The prayers, the resources and the people who I have met along the way have helped form me in ways I could not have imagined. I am grateful for this experience and encourage anyone discerning becoming a spiritual director to check out this program."
Jayne Churchmack '25: "My experience at ISI has been filled with faith and grace. It deepened my connection with God, offering clarity and peace through the practices of Ignatian reflection, discernment, and spiritual accompaniment. The support and wisdom shared by my instructors and cohort enriched the journey even further, creating a profound sense of spiritual community."