Spiritual Directors

Spiritual direction is for each person who has a hunger for holiness and a desire for a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. A spiritual director is a man or woman, ordained or lay, who has been trained to offer spiritual direction. They offer one-on-one sessions to discuss the directee's spiritual life, provide a listening ear, and offer some guidance for growth in holiness.

The Archdiocese of Dubuque has committed to maintaining a list of trained spiritual directors who have met the following qualifications:

• Has completed a Spiritual Director training program that is aligned with Catholic Church teachings.
• Is in good standing with the Catholic Church.
• Has provided evidence of a strong spiritual life (e.g. a daily personal prayer life, a commitment to regular reception of the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation, and actively practicing the faith, etc.).
• Has been endorsed by their parish pastor, religious superior, or their own Spiritual Director through a Letter of Recommendation.
• Has shown evidence of skills essential to the ministry of Spiritual Direction (e.g. good listening skills, good interpersonal skills, hospitable, pastoral, etc.).

Those who meet the above qualifications after review by an archdiocesan committee are included on the list below. However, the spiritual directors listed here are not employees of the Archdiocese of Dubuque and the services provided by them function independently of the archdiocese and are the responsibility of the spiritual director. The archdiocese is not responsible nor liable for any advice, teaching, or other services offered by these individuals. Compensation rates are determined by each spiritual director at their discretion. Directees are responsible for paying any costs for spiritual direction (if the director charges). 

Recommendations for Choosing a Spiritual Director:

• Contact a potential director and ask questions to learn more about them and how they approach spiritual direction before securing him or her for direction.
• Setup an initial meeting to get to know each other. It is common for a person to change directors after an initial meeting or after an extended time. Neither the director nor directee need feel embarrassed or offended when one or the other believes a different director may better serve the spiritual needs of the directee.
• If the director seems like a good fit, commit to regular sessions (monthly is recommended).

Jill Andresen

Location: Preston (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 563-357-3900
Training: Heart of Christ Spiritual Direction Program in Partnership with the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation (Completed in 2022)
Fee: None
 

Michael Becker

Location: Cedar Rapids (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 515-368-3643
Training: Institute of the Transfiguration, Archdiocese of Dubuque (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None

Sr. Linda Bechen, RSM

Location: Cedar Rapids (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 319-651-7018
Training: Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, WI (Completed in 2007)
Fee: $40 per session

 

Deacon Joe Blanck

Location: Cedar Rapids
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 319-360-7648
Training: Institute of the Transfiguration, Archdiocese of Dubuque (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None

Chris Conway

Fr. Kevin Earleywine

Fr. Robert Gross

Linda Hansmeier

Location: Mount Vernon (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 319-540-1190
Training: Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, WI (Completed in 2015)
Fee: Set by the directee 

Marion Huettner

Fr. Aaron Junge

Location: Cedar Rapids (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 319-846-3139
Training: Institute of Priestly Formation (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None

Sr. Annette Kestel, PBVM

Deacon Dan Kurt

Janice Kurt

Location: Cascade (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 563-542-0456
Training: Institute of the Transfiguration, Archdiocese of Dubuque (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None

Deacon Jim Kurtenbach

Location: Nevada (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 515-291-9814
Training: Institute of the Transfiguration, Archdiocese of Dubuque (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None

Mary Jo LeGrand

Location: Cedar Rapids (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 563-581-1320
Training: Institute of the Transfiguration, Archdiocese of Dubuque (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None

 

Trish Lokmer

Location: Center Point (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Personal Email: trishlokmerspiritdirected@gmail.com 
Work Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 319-321-9855
Training: Institute of the Transfiguration, Archdiocese of Dubuque (Completed in 2024)
Fee: Determined with the directee

Fr. Andrew Marr

Location: Forest City (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 641-923-2329, ext. 2
Training: Institute of Priestly Formation (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None

Kathy Oberreuter

Location: Manchester (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 319-350-6388
Training: Institute of the Transfiguration, Archdiocese of Dubuque (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None (donations accepted if traveling for sessions)

Fr. Dave O'Connor

Location: Mason City
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 641-423-5001
Training: Creighton University (Completed in 1997)
Fee: None

Julie Paladino

Location: Waverly (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 319-830-6867
Training: Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, WI (Completed in 2023)
Fee: None

Carolyn Pfiffner

Brenda Strayer

Location: Iowa Falls (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 641-430-0204
Training: Institute of the Transfiguration, Archdiocese of Dubuque (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None

Kate Tyler

Kris Ward

Location: Charles City (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 563-568-7344
Training: Institute of the Transfiguration, Archdiocese of Dubuque (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None
Languages: English and Spanish

Deacon Al Weber

Location: Cedar Falls
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 319-240-7224
Training: Institute of the Transfiguration, Archdiocese of Dubuque (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None
 

Jill Weber

Location: Cedar Falls
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 319-240-3975
Training: Institute of the Transfiguration, Archdiocese of Dubuque (Completed in 2024)
Fee: None 

Nicholas Weber

Location: Garrison (also willing to meet virtually, if needed)
Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 319-640-1204
Training: Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, WI (Completed in 2017)
Fee: Determined with the directee