MIAMI GARDENS | Do friends see you as "the diplomat"?

Do you find you're good at counseling and have a gift for listening?

Or, as Sue DeFerrari puts it: "Do you believe that you are called to help others grow spiritually, but you would benefit from training?"

Then maybe her program, the Spiritual Direction/Companionship Program at St. Thomas University, is for you.

The three-year program is part of the university's Center for Wholistic Spirituality, which offers certificate programs in spiritual companionship and Catholic biblical studies.

Among other topics, the spiritual direction program introduces students to theology and psychology. Second-year students take up the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The third year has students practice tools and techniques of spiritual direction.

Anyone with a gift for listening or a desire to grow in faith is welcome to inquire about the program in spiritual direction. Those seeking spiritual direction are also free to call.

DeFerrari this month finished her first year as coordinator of the program, succeeding Susan Loretta, who retired after running it for 18 years. DeFerrari also works as director of ministry at MorningStar Renewal Center in Pinecrest. She is a graduate of the Spiritual Direction Program at Boston College, where she earned master's degrees in theology and social work.

DeFerrari sees her current job as a continuation of her calling to be a missionary. Her early years took her to China, where she served for five years teaching members of the underground church.  

�This shaped my life; the Lord has invited me to serve, to open new doors,� said DeFerrari.

Although St. Thomas is a Catholic university, the spiritual companionship students cover a wide variety of occupations, denominations and ages.  They include professional ministers, retirees, small business owners, corporate leaders and stay-at-home parents.

The new semester starts September 2013, and applications are being reviewed now. Interested persons may contact DeFerrari at 305-628-6765 or [email protected]. You may also go to www.stu.edu click on School of Theology and Ministry, then on �certificate programs� and �spiritual companionship.�