Sydney Region

Sydney Region

The Sydney ANSD Group meets about every six weeks for some nourishing input, collegial support and congenial hospitality.

Members and anyone with an interest in Spiritual Direction or the particular topic are most welcome.

 For inquiries about any events or the Sydney ANSD group please email ansdsydney@gmail.com

Upcoming Sydney events 2023

Save the dates – 2023 Program ANSD Sydney and Beyond

February      Local informal gatherings

As our region covers most of NSW, we understand that many members cannot always attend our Sydney-based events, even getting around Sydney is challenging!   To start the year, we would like to facilitate local connections. Catch up with old friends, make new connections.

If you are able to facilitate a gathering in your region (meet for coffee or go for a walk), please email us and we will help connect you with other members.

11th March 2023, 10am – 3pm      Personality types and pathways to prayer
Marist Centre, Hunters Hill

Dominique Galea, a graduate of the Riso Hudson Enneagram Institute and Training Supervisor for the Enneagram in the Narrative Tradition school, will guide us on an exploration of ways of coming to presence, employing panels in the Narrative Enneagram Tradition.

28-30th April 2023      Journeying with the wisdom of Julian of Norwich
St Joseph’s, Baulkham Hills

This weekend retreat, facilitated by Jane Sindel and Jenn Pearson, is an invitation to take some time away from the distractions of daily life to listen to God guided by Julian’s wisdom around love, prayer, suffering and the motherhood of God.

Beginning at 4pm on Friday and finishing after lunch on Sunday.

Cost: $370 for a twin-share room, $470 for a single room. All meals included.

11th May, 7:30pm online      Attending with grace to burnout experiences in spiritual direction
via Zoom

What is the contribution a spiritual director can make to a person amidst the depleting experience of burnout? In this session, Dr Marlene Marburg will discuss some of the characteristics of ‘burnout’, how they can inhibit a person’s capacity to hear and trust their own wisdom, how we might accompany a person suffering these symptoms, and when our directees might be served better to consult a counsellor.

Cost: $15

15th July, 10am-3pm      Enneagram subtypes and shadow work
Marist Centre, Hunters Hill

Dominique Galea will facilitate an exploration of the variations of style and behaviour amongst people who share the same personality Type.  Experience Narrative Tradition panels illustrating the instinctual paths of Self Preservation, Social and One to One. subtypes.

23rd September, 10am-3:30pm      Wander and wonder in the season of  creation
Centennial Park

 “From panoramic vistas to the tiniest living form, nature is a constant source of wonder and awe. It is also a continuing revelation of the divine.” Laudato Si, (85)

In the morning, Elizabeth Lee will invite us to step into the Labyrinth. After lunch, Matthew Evans will lead us in a time to wander, nourish and reflect in the beauty of creation.

Morning tea provided, BYO picnic lunch, chair or picnic rug, water bottle, sunscreen, hat etc, and maybe a small backpack.

Cost: $20

4th November, 10am-3:30pm      Quiet Day – Contemplative Storytelling
St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills

Carolyn Handley will guide us into a time of reflection through the lens of contemplative storytelling.

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Previous topics and speakers include:

  Grief, loss and transition in the spiritual direction space with Mandy Cox

Wisdom Gleaned from “Courage and Renewal” with Rev Glenda Blakefield

  Drawing on the Wisdom of St John of the Cross for Spiritual Direction with Barbara Stenning

 Wisdom Comes in Many Forms: Sharing of Resources facilitated by Rev John Reid

 Exploring Images in Spiritual Direction with Sr Colleen O’Sullivan

 At Home With God Reflection Day with Sr Hilda Scott

Dealing with Grief in Spiritual Direction with Eileen Reeks

  Living from the Silence with Michelle Vass

 Music in Spiritual Direction with Sr Mary Baker

 Spiritual Direction to Marginalised: Who are the marginalised? with Elizabeth Lee

Metaphor in the Spiritual Life with Alex Nelson

 John Bell, Resource Worker with the Iona Community

Opening our awareness through journal writing, with Kate Scholl

Creating space for encountering grace: Intersections between retreats and spiritual direction, with Carolyn Craig-Emilsen and Bethany South

 Spiritual Direction and Mental Health