"Steeped in the rich spiritual heritage of our forebears."

Let's start with what spiritual direction is not:

Spiritual direction is not counseling and it is not therapy.

Spiritual Direction is a one-to-one or group experience with spiritual mentors with extensive formation to help deepen their relationship with the divine, or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. A spiritual director understands that the most important relationship in your life is the one you have with Our Triune God. The primary intent of a spiritual director is to guide you in having a deepening intimacy with God. Together with your spiritual director, you will explore God's presence, voice, and activity in your life.

Spiritual Direction Sessions:

• Typically last about one hour and meet monthly
• Meet at GEM retreat house or local parish facility

Dr. Michael Fonseca, D.Min

Michael and his wife Cherrie founded God's Embrace Ministries which trains spiritual directors, offers formation classes, hosts weekend retreats and seminars on Catholic Spirituality. Along with the formation programs of God's Embrace Ministries, Michael has also written Living in God's Embrace and Loving the Master's Footsteps.
 

To schedule an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883.

Del DelVecchio

Del is a member of The Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn, Texas.

He was born in Long Branch, N.J. and moved to Texas when he was 25 years old.

Del has been married to Sandy DelVecchio for 40 years and they have four grown children and three grand-children.

He has been involved in several church ministries over the years, the latest being God’s Embrace Ministries since 2011.  Del has participated in most of the teaching programs offered through God’s Embrace Ministries, either as a participant and/or a facilitator.

Currently Del is a team member in the retreat and mission programs offered by God’s Embrace, and is also in the Spiritual Director’s Institute completing his second year under the supervision of Dr. Michael Fonseca.

To schedule an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883.

Sandy DelVecchio

Sandy is a member of The Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn, Texas and a native of Fayette County, Texas born in LaGrange.

She has been married to Warren DelVecchio for 40 years and they have four grown children and three grand-children.

Sandy has been involved in several church ministries over the years, the latest being God’s Embrace Ministries since 2011.  She has participated in most of the teaching programs offered through God’s Embrace Ministries, either as a participant and/or a facilitator.

Currently Sandy is a team member in the retreat and mission programs offered by God’s Embrace.  She is also in the Spiritual Director’s Institute completing her second year under the supervision of Dr. Michael Fonseca.

To schedule an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883.

DeeAnn Hooper

DeeAnn Hooper is a cradle Catholic and grew up in Flatonia, TX. She has been married to Chris for 22 years and together they have 3 children, Jack (forever 10), Will, and Cate. She is a pharmacist at the Apothecary of Medical Associates in Schulenburg, TX and the Founder & President of Turtle Wing Foundation.

DeeAnn is an active member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Schulenburg, TX, where she Lectors and is an Eucharistic minister. She is currently a participant of the GEM Institute of Spiritual Directors under the guidance of Dr. Michael Fonseca, D.Min.  DeeAnn had a conversion experience in 2007 through the ACTS movement  and has been involved with God’s Embrace since 2012.

To schedule an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883.

Kathi Mickan

Kathi has been married for 46 years to her husband, Roger. They have 5 children and 21 grandchildren. She is a cradle Catholic and stays very involved with her church, Immaculate Conception, in Sealy. She is a co-facilitator of the Lead Me into the Deep, Lord classes and a Bible Study group. She is a Rosary Leader, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and a volunteer with Nursing Home and Bereavement Ministries. She has made an ACTS Retreat and served on Team and has also made a Lead Me Retreat through God's Embrace and is now in the Spiritual Director Institute.

Kathi meets out of Immaculate Conception Church Center in Sealy.

To schedule an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883.

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Stacy Oeding

Stacy is a cradle Catholic, loving wife to Eric and devoted mom to Julia, Evan, Claire and Anna.

She is a youth minister in both St. Rose of Lima and St. Michael parishes in Schulenburg and Weimar. She also teaches second grade Religion at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. She is a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in High Hill where she also serves as lector and Eucharistic minister. She is also a member of the parishes' St. Anne's Society. She has a strong passion for youth and family ministry and volunteers as the VBS Coordinator. After experiencing a conversion in the fall of 2009 her faith was furthered deepened on an ACTS retreat. She began serving in the ACTS community and seeking ways to deepen her faith. This led her to discover God's Embrace Ministries in 2012 through which The Holy Spirit has continued to strengthen her discipleship.

To schedule an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883.

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Arlene Zapalac

Arlene is from Sacred Heart Parish in La Grange. She is a retired teacher and a parish and community volunteer. She and her husband David have a son, a daughter and two grandchildren.

Arlene's journey started long ago with attending Catholic School, continuing with ACTS, and now daily faith formation and prayer through the programs of God's Embrace Ministries.

Arlene meets out of the Sacred Heart Parish Office in La Grange.

To schedule an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883.