Understanding the Heart of the Spiritual Journey: What is Spirituality

What does it mean to be spiritual, and how does this shape the way we live and find meaning?

Drawing on the experience of participants, we will explore what it means to be spiritual and how our spirituality shapes the way we live and find meaning.

This session focuses on building a clear understanding of spirituality, outlining its various expressions and relevance today. We will distinguish spirituality from religion and discuss its impact on body, mind, and spirit. We will also consider both Christian wisdom and universal practices to clarify how spirituality connects us to God, others, creation, and ourselves.

Note: This event is part of a series. You are welcome to register for this event only; for information about and to register for the series, click here.

About the Presenter

Robert Choiniere, D.Min, currently serves as the Executive Director for Ministries for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Orange, CA and is the founder and Executive Director of Ignatian Encounter Ministry, a virtual platform for global Conversations in the Spirit and CiS facilitator training. 

Bob was a professor of theology at Fordham University in New York City and recently returned from a sabbatical at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he studied synodality and assisted in the preparations for the Synod on Synodality. 

He has an extensive background in pastoral planning and ecclesial consultation serving as the Director of Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Parish Pastoral Council Coordinator in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia.  He is also the former chair of the Conference of Pastoral Planning and Council Development (CPPCD).   He is the recipient of the CPPCD Yves Congar Award for Excellence in Pastoral Planning. He is also a founding member and former Managing Director of Stages on the Sound, Inc., a non-profit theatre education company serving Catholic elementary schools in New York and surrounding dioceses. 

Robert holds a Doctor of Ministry from Fordham University, an MA in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College and a BA in Theology and Theatre from DeSales University and a post-doctoral diploma in Leadership and Management from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He is the author of The Engaged Parish: A Practical Guide to Creating a Community of Spiritual Discernment and is a regular daily reflection contributor to Give Us This Day.  He is also the Creator of the interview-based play Full of Grace: Faith Journeys of LGBT Catholics.

Photo by Aaron Burden