Partner Spiritual Directors
The Franciscan Spirituality Center has four spiritual directors on staff. In addition, we partner with the following trained directors. Please call 608-791-5295 to set up an appointment.
I live in La Crosse and have been married to Joe for 43 years. We have four sons, three wonderful daughters-in-law and six beautiful grandchildren. I retired from the Franciscan Spirituality Center in 2017. During my time at the FSC, I was a spiritual director and director of the Spiritual Direction Preparation Program. I also offered workshops on Compassionate Communication and participated in other programs and retreats. I love to be outside doing any kind of activity or oftentimes just sitting still. I also like to fly fish, cook, garden, play cards, read and visit. I prefer to meet with participants at the FSC or via Zoom.
.jpeg "Peter Watkins")
I have been a spiritual director since 2012 and have a Master of Divinity degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. I taught high school philosophy and theology for more than 30 years, and I just retired from teaching high school in 2021. I did my spiritual direction training at Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality in the Twin Cities, where I supervise aspiring spiritual directors. Ignatian Spirituality has been formative for me personally and as a director, and I am trained in and love accompanying folks through the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. I also teach contemplative practices to a Lutheran congregation and work with aspirants discerning a call to holy orders in the Episcopal Church of Minnesota. I enjoy running, going on long pilgrimages, cookouts and road trips. I can meet with people in the Twin Cities or by Zoom.
.jpg "Chelle Belland")
I have a background in mental-health therapy and have benefited from my own spiritual direction for more than 10 years. My background of listening to people’s stories and working through my own spiritual journey inspired me to become a spiritual director. While meeting with individuals, I am deeply committed to creating space for and listening to everyone’s faith, prayer and spiritual practices, no matter their belief background. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, running, reading, baking and working out. My husband and I have been part of the La Crosse community for more than 25 years and have raised three daughters. I am available to meet at the FSC or by Zoom.
I am an experienced spiritual director offering one-on-one direction and supervision. I am trained as a healer and have a deep love for nature, often bringing God’s creation intentionally into a session. My training includes Eco Therapy and how the body can support healing. I also am a deacon with the United Methodist Church and a professed monastic member of St. Brigid of Kildare Monastery. As a woman who has worked through her own personal trauma from childhood abuse, I am gifted at working with others through trauma and abuse. I am highly intuitive and use my gifts to serve others in moving toward wholeness and hope. Having grown up in London and lived in both rural and urban California, I have interacted with many cultures and diverse people, which I enjoy. I reside in Central Minnesota and love hiking, kayaking, gardening and my dog and cat. I am available to meet by Zoom.