-
Jim Hynes brings to the ministry of Spiritual Direction a lifelong journey of faith. He was a priest for eleven years in the Archdiocese of Westminster in England, and experienced the “joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties” of everyday Catholic parish life. As a priest Jim devoted his energies to Evangelization and parish renewal, bringing to communities and individuals a mature and compassionate expression of the Catholic faith, with a profound respect for their everyday experiences and struggles. His preaching and life were guided by Jesus promise “that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10), witnessing to the Joy of the Gospel and promoting the spiritual gifts of all, recognizing the necessity of Catholic Social Teaching and Education for Justice.
After some years of discernment, Jim returned to lay ministry, and crossed the ocean to Chapel Hill, NC, where he worked at St. Thomas More Catholic Community as Director of Elementary Faith Development, and later Director of Catechumenate and Adult Faith Development. Learning from this experience he has much to offer in the in the integration of spirituality with parish catechetical, sacramental and liturgical experience, Christian Initiation and for people struggling with practicing their faith during a time of scandal, controversy and frustration.
Jim’s qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with Philosophy of Science (King’s College, London), a Bachelor of Divinity (Heythop College, London; a Jesuit school), a Master’s in Religion and Education (St. Mary’s University College, Twickenham), Master Catechist Certification for the Diocese of Raleigh, Spiritual Gifts Interviewer certification with the Catherine of Siena Institute and Spiritual Director certification in the Ignatian tradition at The Listening Place in Durham, NC. In January 2021 Jim trained with the West Virginia Institute of Spirituality to give the Ignatian 19th Annotation Retreat in Everyday Life, and has done so as part of STM Team.
His other pastoral interests include JustFaith, for which he has been a facilitator for Newman, St. Thomas More and Holy Infant parishes, a weekly Bible Study focusing on the Sunday Scriptures, and the Synodal process promoted by Pope Francis. Like Pope Francis, Jim is qualified in Chemistry and Ignatian Spirituality, and is a strong advocate of Ecological Spirituality, based upon Pope Francis' Laudato Si, striving to both honor and protect God's Creation, "finding God in all things".
The spiritual writers who have most influenced him are Henri Nouwen, Richard Rohr, Maureen Conroy, James Finley, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and most recently James Alison, and Rene Girard. He also finds much inspiration in using the Bible for spiritual guidance, especially the Letters of the Apostle Paul, the Gospel of John, the Prophet Isaiah and the Psalms. Jim’s Directees have been very diverse, including men and women, old and young; Catholic, other Christian and non-Christian. Several are Church minsters or Divinity students. Many struggle with the dissonance between their experience of Church and their lived faith. Many also are skilled in the creative arts: a poet, a novelist, a potter and several musicians. All are received with warmth, compassion, hospitality and good humor.
Jim is currently leading the Spiritual Exercises Program for St. Thomas More, and becuase of this and other obligations is unable to take new Directees at this time.
