My name is Pat Cleary-Burns. I am a spiritual director and an itinerant retreat leader.
My Ministry
I feel that I have been called to companion men and women in their spiritual journey, to support ministers in their effort to serve the People of God, and to accompany all who are seeking to discern God's will, especially college students.
As an 'itinerant', I am prepared to offer retreats anywhere I am asked. I invite you to look over pages that describe the retreats I offer. If any of them seem to speak to a need in your community, please contact me. I am very willing to adapt any of these programs to the specific needs in your parish or community.
I also serve as the Executive Director of Itinerant Retreat Leaders, Inc. IRL is a new organization that connects talented retreat leaders with creative retreat centers. Visit IRL's website for more information: www.itinerantretreats.org.
My Background
I am a graduate of the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University and have both a Bachelors degree in Theology and a Masters degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College.
I also have 30 years experience in grassroots community education and fundraising and 12 years of successful grant writing for funds from community and private foundations and local, state and federal government agencies.
I have led countless discernment workshops for volunteers for CROP Walks for Hunger, a four evening workshop entitlte "Called to Action, What Do I Do?", and more than twenty day retreats for non-profit organizations. In the last four years I have directed individuals in 8-day and in 32-week experiences of the Spiritual Exercises, and led a variety of day retreats. The first PHEW! retreat will be in April 2008.
My Blessed Life
I am married to Jeannie Cleary-Burns and am the step-father of 5 young adults and grandfather of 4 great little kids.
I am well prepared for an itinerant ministry. I have lived in eight states and visited 14 countries in North America, the Carribean, West Africa, and Europe.
I invite you explore the site to learn more about the retreats I offer, the type of spiritual direction I do, and how I might help your agency raise funds.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gracious God,
for your love for us
gentle as a shower
healing our pain
binding our wounds,
We give you thanks..
For your love for us
sure as the dawn
transforming our darkness
revealing our truth,
We give you thanks.
For your love for us
mercifully steadfast
calling us to you
raising us up,
We give you thanks.
For your love for us
encouraging questions
open to doubts
making us vulnerable,
We give you thanks.
Urge us on, O Christ,
to find wholeness
through serving you
by serving others
in the power of your Spirit.
-from the Iona Community in
Scotland
