About Rosanne Michaels,  MATS

Spiritual Director, Seattle, Washington  

From my earliest memories, I was aware of the sounds and smells and sights that surrounded me.  Listening to Vivaldi, Bach, and Beatles, sketching pictures of trees and flowers and faces, savoring purple grapes off the vine... Even then, I sensed the presence of God in all of life, in relationships and activities, in wind and sun and trees, and especially in the music and art that filled my world.  As a young child, I watched artists hang their work on iron fences that lined the streets of Greenwich Village; the image stayed with me, and nurtured my growing awareness of  a powerful connection between creativity and prayer.  Somehow, I knew that painting a picture, strumming a guitar,  preparing a meal, or taking a walk... indeed, immersing myself  in any creative act of love... was prayer, and drew me more deeply into the Mystery of God.

Currently, I have a private practice in spiritual direction. I work in an office located on Seattle's Capitol Hill, a short distance from St. James Cathedral, and Seattle University. In addition to practicing spiritual direction, both individual and group, I have facilitated workshops and retreats at the Ignatian Spirituality Center, and am director in the Ignatian Spiritual exercises.  Currently, I have sessions with people in person at the office, online, or by phone.

I am a practicing Catholic, and was on staff at St. James Cathedral for over 20 years. There, my ministries included work with returning Catholics,  grief and loss group facilitation, sacramental preparation, and pastoral counseling.  In the course of my work at St. James, I spent many hours with people who hungered for meaning in their lives, and who often struggled with issues of faith and Church.

My practice includes people from several different faith traditions... What is important is that someone seeking spiritual direction has a sincere desire to pray, and to deepen his or her faith life.

One of the young adults I worked with at St. James Cathedral recently encouraged me to reach out to as many people as possible with my message... I needed to do this, he thought, because I had something to offer. What? I asked. "You are able to help people touch into their spirituality because you are NOT the church Lady," was his response.  I hope that says something about my openness in meeting people where they are!

I do believe that so many of us desire to connect with Spirit, to experience the grace available to each of us... to live into our longing, to pay attention to those divine nudges that can lead us down the path of becoming the loving, sharing, unique human beings that God created us to be... and that spiritual direction is not for a select few... It is for anyone with a sincere desire to open themselves to an increasing awareness of the presence of the Mystery of God in their life...

Education:
BA,  English, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1974
MA, English, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1975
MATS, Spirituality, Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry, 2000

Professional Background:

Pastoral Assistant for Faith Formation, St. James Cathedral, Seattle, Washington

Member:
Spiritual Directors International

Associated with:
Ignatian Spirituality Center, Seattle

Director with the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life, Seattle

Private Practice in Spiritual Direction

Prior to the 25 years I have been involved in ministry, I was a public relations professional in a corporate setting.