Greetings – I’m the “webmaster” of this site even though I’m not really that techy. It’s my small way of letting interested people know about spiritual direction and myself.
Spiritual direction truly is a sacred task of accompanying others on their unique spiritual journey. I have been blessed to journey with folk as a spiritual director / companion / soul friend since 2000. That’s the year I graduated from the Shekinah School of Spiritual Direction at St. Benedict’s Retreat and Conference Centre, just north of Winnipeg, Manitoba. For almost 30 years St. Ben’s was a special place of personal spiritual renewal, through times of silent retreats, workshops and worship with the sisters and friends. Recently the Benedictine sisters have made the hard decision to sell the land and buildings – so the monastery is no more…only in our hearts and memories. Because of that change Shekinah is also changing and I’m blessed to be on it’s advisory council.
My spiritual journey has been enriched from study in Bible colleges (Pentecostal and Mennonite) and the University of Winnipeg culminating with a M.Div. & STM from the Faculty of Theology in 2010. My training in spiritual companioning / direction, spiritual care (CPE) and present employment as an on-call spiritual care provider at Health Science Centre (Winnipeg’s primary tertiary care hospital) provide 
practical ways to put my studies and experience to use. Early in 2018 I retired from permanent employment, leaving my role as part-time Co-Minister of Pastoral and Spiritual Care in Grace Bible Church (a small non-denominational group of Christians). Now I’m Loving, Listening and Creating / Laboring. If you want to know what that means check out my blog – listenwiththeearofyourheart . (title inspired by St. Benedict). I continue to find ways to be open to the Love that created and sustains the Universe. The latest way is to become a novitiate in the Order of Common Life and taking training to accompany folk taking the St. Ignatius Spiritual Exercises.
I enjoy spending time with Linda and our youngest son, Thomas and partner/wife, Zeenib Kohja and their two dogs. Our oldest son, Joel and partner/wife, Kathleen Murphy are parenting our grandkids, in Nova Scotia. Contemplative reflection, reading, walking, cooking give me much joy.
After an initial meeting to discern mutual compatibility, I meet with folk in our home in the Wolseley part of Winnipeg. I’m open to meeting with folk via Zoom if that is your preference. I am in the training stage of companioning folk in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. If you are interested in doing that prayer retreat please inquire.
The greatest gift of being a spiritual director is hearing how individuals connect to the Holy One and where they wish to connect more. If you would like to explore what that might look like for you – contact me by email: smurphy@spiritualdirection.ca or by cell: 204-786-2494.