Alumni Feature: Sheila Dwyer Grove

Sheila Dwyer Grove graduated from the Spiritual Direction program at the Institute for Ministry Formation in 2023. Sheila is from Erie, Pennsylvania, and recently celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary with her husband Bill. They have three children and two grandsons. She is enjoying retirement from her career as a licensed psychologist. Before retirement, Sheila worked briefly with the Diocese of Erie in communications. Sheila owns a small spiritual direction practice, paints with pastels and watercolors, and happily volunteers in her parish, Saint Peter Cathedral in Erie.

Fr. Michael Ferrick, rector of Saint Peter Cathedral, recommended the IMF Spiritual Direction program to Sheila. Her studies at the IMF have enhanced her knowledge of Scripture and Catholic Tradition. This knowledge enabled her to explore spiritual accompaniment beyond what she was able to do in her psychology practice. The program offerings and her interaction with students and professors gave her an opportunity to gain perspective on Catholic ideas and practices.

One of Sheila’s favorite courses was Praying with Scripture, taught by Fr. Nathanael. She learned a lot and truly enjoyed the exploration of prayer and Scripture. It was quite the change to be a student again almost 40 years after she finished graduate school and after 10 years of university teaching, but Sheila handled it well. Fr. Nathanael and the other students were welcoming and affirming and she felt that she belonged.

Sheila feels privileged to accompany some very faithful Catholics at her spiritual direction ministry. “The presence of the Holy Spirit is keenly evident in our sessions,” she says. “I am grateful.” Her volunteer ministry at Saint Peter Cathedral continues with graphic design, social media coordination, and many other tasks. She is currently facilitating a small group of women that delve deeper into prayer and scripture.

To students currently enrolled at the IMF, Sheila encourages openness . The Catholic Church is a large, universal church and there are many ways to live our vocation of discipleship. She benefitted from interacting with students whose perspectives were very different from her own.

The IMF wishes Sheila the best in her future spiritual direction efforts, as well as her efforts to help the Church through volunteer work. Thank you, Sheila, for your hard work and dedication to Christ