Claret Center: Spiritual Direction Internship

meet our interns

Anna Maria Baldauf
Christine Kancewick

Judith David

Alfredo Gundrum

The internship process is based on a seminar model of education with focus on practicing and enhancing one's ability to be present to a directee. This experientially-based model of formation makes use of role play and group process. Content is given in the context of group process and reflection, not through lecture. The Internship experience includes one-to-one supervision, assigned readings, discussion, peer group supervision and evaluation. The internship is limited to approximately eight persons.

The internship covers thirty weeks, September through May. Each intern will see at least two directees provided by Claret Center. Interns are encouraged to attend two workshops recommended by (not necessarily sponsored by) the Claret Center staff during the course of the year. The process begins with a three-day intensive in mid September. The one-day per week program is designed for individuals who are already working in spiritual direction and/or other ministries.

Tuition for the internship year 2007-2008 is $3500. The first half is due when the program begins; the remainder is due in January. Tuition does not include the $25 non-refundable application fee nor the charges for the two workshops.

Claret Center
Claret Center offers resources for counseling and spiritual direction. Center staff is made up of both Therapists and Spiritual Directors. Clientele comes from Chicago and surrounding areas. In addition to on-going individual therapy and spiritual direction the staff offers workshops and seminars concerning various issues and/or topics in spirituality and human growth and development. The Internship in Spiritual Direction has been in existence for over 15 years. One of it's goals is an increased understanding of the nature and scope of spiritual direction.

Criteria For Admission

We welcome women and men of all faiths whose experience includes:

Personal spiritual direction.
Ability to work in a one-to-one relationship.
Ability and willingness to participate in group process.
Background in Theology and Spirituality.
A minimum of five years in ministry.

Application Requirements
Those seeking admission to the internship in Spiritual Direction are asked to submit the following:

A spiritual and psychological autobiography. (3-5 pages)
Three letters of recommendation from persons who know you well. Include a referral from at least one person who has some experience of you in ministry. When asking persons to write letters of recommendation please request that their comments be directed to your potential as spiritual director.
Personal statement of what you expect from the internship and why you desire it at this time.

After receipt of the above materials a personal interview will be arranged with the Co-Directors of the Internship.

All application material should be sent to Claret Center by the first Monday in May with a $25 application fee. You will be contacted late in the month to schedule a personal interview.

Academic Credit

Under certain conditions, Catholic Theological Union (CTU) and Loyola University (IPS Program) give graduate credit to students enrolled in the schools. Participants in the Internship must negotiate directly with the institutions.

				Anna Maria Baldauf My name is Anna Maria Baldauf and I am a member of the Society of Helpers. I come from Switzerland. Since January 2005 I have been living here in Chicago in an international community. I am a Movement and Dance Therapist as well as an Instructor for Sacred Dance. Before I entered the community I was self-employed and worked with different groups (adults and children), in one-to-one settings and in a hospital setting with people who experienced things such as: burn-out, midlife-crises, abuse, eating disorders, depression, loss, divorce, lack of meaning, etc. Since September 2006 I am a member of the Claret Center Staff and offer my skills as a Movement and Dance Therapist in individual sessions and group sessions. I give occasional workshops in different parishes for other groups. “I love life and I am fascinated by the deep body-spirit-soul connection of the human being and how this unity can guide us powerfully and very clearly through our journey. I love the individual life-story of each and every person I come to know. The bright and the dark sides of life challenge me, and make me rich and help me to grow…” Now I am looking forward to being enriched from the gifts of the Internship in Spiritual Direction.
				Judith David Sister Judith David is a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. Currently, she ministers at Immaculate Conception Parish on Harlem and Talcott in Chicago as a pastoral associate. In addition to parish ministry she is the temporary professed minister for her religious congregation.
				Alfredo Gundrum I am Alfredo Gundrum, a Capuchin Franciscan. I was born in Allenton, Wisconsin. I have been a religious for 47 years and priest for 40 years. I lived 21 of those years in Nicaragua and have currently served in parishes in Chicago for the last 16 years. I am interested in spiritual direction to give more attention to that in my life and hopefully I can also serve more young Capuchins entering our Order. I am an associate pastor at St. Clare of Montefalco, an Hispanic parish.
				Christine Kancewick Christine has a Masters of Pastoral Studies, is a Director of Adult Faith Formation/RCIA, and designs and leads retreats. She has training in Theological Reflection; and has been learning Biblical Storytelling. Her approach is holistic, believing in the integration of spirit - body - mind.