Find a Spiritual Director

Finding the right spiritual director can be one of the biggest challenges in getting started. Ignatius House offers access to a network of trained spiritual directors, all grounded in Ignatian Spirituality, with diverse backgrounds in fields such as law, behavioral health, mindfulness, and social work.

Meetings can take place at Ignatius House, another convenient location, or virtually. Many spiritual directors rely on this work as part or all of their income, and payment arrangements vary. Some directors may offer a sliding scale, accept free-will donations, or provide their time without any expectation of payment. Payments typically fall into one of three categories: a fee paid directly to the director, a donation made to the organization that employs the director, or a donation made to a local charity or organization. No one is ever turned away due to financial constraints. 

While On Retreat

During a retreat, you may have the option to meet privately with any of these individuals for a spiritual conversation. If on a silent retreat, this is a permitted time to speak with someone about the burning questions on your mind or stirrings of your soul. Participation is optional and included in the cost of your retreat. Your retreat director will offer instruction about how to sign up and where to meet.

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Maria Cressler

Executive Director

Maria G. Cressler, MTS, is the Executive Director of Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center and has served in this role since September 2009. She received a B.A. in Sociology from Georgia State University and a Master of Theological Studies and Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Spring Hill... Expand

Maria G. Cressler, MTS, is the Executive Director of Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center and has served in this role since September 2009. She received a B.A. in Sociology from Georgia State University and a Master of Theological Studies and Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Spring Hill College. Her heart for Ignatian Spirituality has broadened the ministries of Ignatius House during her tenure to include programs from Spring Hill College, Hispanic retreats, teen and young adult retreats, an expansion of the Ignatian Spirituality Project serving the homeless, and efforts to help people of all lifestyles know they are children of God. Maria believes deeply that none are excluded from God’s love, in the benefit of interfaith dialogue, and in activities that encourage mutual understanding. Prior to Ignatius House, she served in pastoral and parish roles to lead programs such as prison ministry, Emmaus, Cursillo, Rite of Chrisitian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and JustFaith. These experiences continue to shape her deep desire to help others encounter God. Maria and her husband, John, minister together at married-couples retreats as well as at interfaith events. Hide

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Fr. Jim Fleming, SJ

Director of Mission Outreach

Rev. James J. Fleming, SJ is from the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus and has been a Jesuit priest for 25 years. He joined Ignatius House on Aug. 3, 2022 as Spiritual Director and Director of Mission Outreach. Previously, he was the executive director... Expand

Rev. James J. Fleming, SJ is from the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus and has been a Jesuit priest for 25 years. He joined Ignatius House on Aug. 3, 2022 as Spiritual Director and Director of Mission Outreach. Previously, he was the executive director of Campion Conference & Renewal Center in Weston, Ma., and president of Wheeling Jesuit University (WJU). Before joining the leadership team at WJU, Fleming taught at Boston College (BC) and worked as director of mission assessment & planning in the Office of Mission and Ministry at BC, where he led a national research project related to the spiritual development of college students. While at BC, he served as spiritual director for student retreat programs and offered retreats and spiritual direction for faculty and administrators. He trained as a spiritual director at St. Bueno’s in Wales, UK, at Cova de Sant Ignasi in Manresa, Spain, and at the Jesuit School of Theology at the Santa Clara University where he earned a Master’s of Divinity with a focus in scripture and spirituality. He holds a Ph.D. in educational policy, organization, measurement, and evaluation from the University of California, Berkeley. He served as lecturer and the Director of the University Academy at the University of San Francisco, and as an instructor of Urban Education at SCU. Fleming is a member of the National Board of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, currently serves on the Board of Trustees of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and previously served on the Boards of Nativity Prep Boston and Boston College High School. Hide

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Bill Noe, SJ

Retreat Director, Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry

Rev. Bill Noe, SJ, the youngest of eight brothers, is a native of Racine, Wis. Before entering the Society of Jesus in 2003, Fr. Bill lived in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area for several years, where he worked as an electrical engineer. Fr. Bill has enjoyed long... Expand

Rev. Bill Noe, SJ, the youngest of eight brothers, is a native of Racine, Wis. Before entering the Society of Jesus in 2003, Fr. Bill lived in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area for several years, where he worked as an electrical engineer. Fr. Bill has enjoyed long associations with St. Anselm’s Abbey, a Benedictine monastery, and Bethlehem House, a community formed for people with an intellectual disability – both in Washington D.C. During his formation as a Jesuit priest, Fr. Bill was trained in catechesis, comparative theology, and interreligious dialogue. Fr. Bill began his ministry of spiritual direction at St. Ignatius Retreat House in Manhasset, N.Y., in 2005 and has served as a spiritual director in New York, Chicago, Bolivia, and the United Kingdom. From 2015 to 2019, Fr. Bill served as director of Ignatian Spirituality at Loyola on the Potomac, a Jesuit retreat house in Faulkner, Md. He recently received an MA in Pastoral Mental Health Counseling from Fordham University. Hide

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Andy Otto

Retreat Director

Andy Otto, MA, is the director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur, Ga., a Jesuit parish. He also is a retreat director and spiritual director at Ignatius House. He holds an M.A. in Theology and Ministry from Boston College. Originally from... Expand

Andy Otto, MA, is the director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur, Ga., a Jesuit parish. He also is a retreat director and spiritual director at Ignatius House. He holds an M.A. in Theology and Ministry from Boston College. Originally from Boston, Andy spent nearly three years as a Jesuit studying for the priesthood, which helped form his love for Ignatian spirituality. During that time, he taught primary school students in Syracuse, NY and Kingston, Jamaica, worked at a palliative care cancer hospital in the Bronx, and was a chaplain at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. He is the creator of GodInAllThings.com, and is the author of God Moments: Unexpected Encounters in the Ordinary. Andy enjoys helping people discover the wisdom of discernment in the Ignatian tradition. Hide

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Sarah Otto

Director of Mission

Sarah Otto, M.Div., is a Jesuit-trained retreat director and spiritual director who completed her Master of Divinity at Boston College. She studied theology as both an undergrad and graduate student. Her passion has focused on the intersection of faith and justice, which led her to study in... Expand

Sarah Otto, M.Div., is a Jesuit-trained retreat director and spiritual director who completed her Master of Divinity at Boston College. She studied theology as both an undergrad and graduate student. Her passion has focused on the intersection of faith and justice, which led her to study in El Salvador. Sarah spent a year in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, serving men and women experiencing homelessness in Portland, Ore. Sarah has worked as a hospital and prison chaplain and most recently worked in college campus ministry for five years, both at Providence College and as director of a Newman Catholic Center in Chico, Calif. As a mom, Sarah is particularly passionate about ministering to women and families but continues to enjoy helping people discern how to live a faith that does justice, as well as discovering the unique and creative ways God works in everyone. Hide

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Kay Satterfield

Spiritual Direction Formation Coordinator

Kay Satterfield, MA, is a Jesuit-trained retreat director and spiritual director on the pastoral staff of Ignatius House. She holds a Masters in Pastoral Care from Fordham University and a Certification in Spiritual Direction from the Spiritual Renewal Center in Syracuse, NY. An Atlanta native, Kay also... Expand

Kay Satterfield, MA, is a Jesuit-trained retreat director and spiritual director on the pastoral staff of Ignatius House. She holds a Masters in Pastoral Care from Fordham University and a Certification in Spiritual Direction from the Spiritual Renewal Center in Syracuse, NY. An Atlanta native, Kay also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia. Prior to coming to work at Ignatius House, Kay served as part of the pastoral ministry staff at Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville, NY leading the bereavement, pastoral care to the sick, and adult education ministries for the parish. She also served in Spiritual Care at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Kay has a passion for helping people discover the divine presence of God in their everyday lived experience or as St. Ignatius of Loyola termed it, “finding God in all things.” She is a mother of four adult children and delights in her role as a grandmother too! Hide

Apart from Retreat

Schedule time outside of retreat for monthly spiritual direction with any of these directors from our affiliated network. Meetings may occur at Ignatius House or at another location that is convenient for you. All Spiritual Directors are trained in Ignatian Spirituality and may hold certification or licensure in additional fields such as law, behavioral health, mindfulness, or social work among others.

To view a full listing of our affiliated Spiritual Directors and learn more about their backgrounds, click here. 

There typically is a cost to support the time of your Spiritual Director. Please consult the individual about what might be appropriate. Some may suggest a voluntary offering of $20-100 per session to Ignatius House, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, or another charity. Others may request a fee paid directly to them. No one is ever turned away due to lack of funds.

Let us help you select the right individual for your goals

Please complete the short form below, and we’ll connect you with a spiritual director. The more information you provide, the easier it is to make a thoughtful referral. If you have any questions, contact Sarah Otto at 404.255.0503.