"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. 

There is no charge for the retreat but we appreciate any donations to God's Embrace Ministries.

Spiritual Direction Sessions:

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

Dr. Michael Fonseca, D.Min

Michael Fonseca, D.Min., has an extensive background in Spiritual Formation and Direction. As the Director of Spiritual Formation at Saint Luke Institute, a Psychiatric Residential Center, he treated clergy struggling with addictions in a clinical setting from 1993 to 1999. From 1998 through 2014, he was engaged as the Coordinator for Spiritual Formation in the Diaconate Program of the Diocese of Victoria, Texas. Concurrently, the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan employed Dr. Fonseca as Director of Spiritual Formation of Adults (2000 to 2013), while the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan named him Coordinator for Spiritual Formation of the Diaconate Program (2000 to 2005). Along with all of 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 or complete our
online request form.

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 over 40 years and they have four grown children and three grandchildren.

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

Del has been a team member in the retreats and mission programs offered by God’s Embrace and is also in the Spiritual Director’s Institute under the supervision of Dr. Michael Fonseca.

To schedule an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883 or complete our
online request form.

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 grandchildren.

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.

Sandy is a team member in the retreats and mission programs offered by God’s Embrace.  She is also in the Spiritual Director’s Institute under the supervision of Dr. Michael Fonseca, D. Min.

To schedule an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883 or complete our
online request form.

DeeAnn Hooper

DeeAnn Hooper is a cradle Catholic and grew up in Flatonia, TX. She has been married to Chris for 25 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 Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. DeeAnn had a conversion experience in 2007 through the ACTS movement and has been involved with God’s Embrace since 2012. She is in the GEM Institute of Spiritual Directors under the guidance of Dr. Michael Fonseca, D.Min.

To schedule an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883 or complete our
online request form.

Kathi Mickan

Kathi has been married for over 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 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 under the guidance of Dr. Michael Fonseca, D. Min.

Kathi meets out of Immaculate Conception Church Center in Sealy.

To schedule an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883 or complete our
online request form.

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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 a lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. 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. She is in the GEM spiritual directors institute under the guidance of Dr. Michael Fonseca, D. Min.

To schedule, an appointment call the God's Embrace office at (979) 561-8883 or complete our
online request form.

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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. 
She is in the GEM spiritual directors institute under the guidance of Dr. Michael Fonseca, D. Min.

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

online request form.