Interested in understanding the dynamics of effectively companioning another? This 9-week program will train BioSpiritu

This 9-week program will be focused on training BioSpiritual Focusing companions who wish to learn the dynamics of effectively companioning another. 

This will be a hybrid course, with some meetings in person and some on Zoom. The first meeting will be in person Saturday, April 26, 10am -1pm. Subsequent meetings will be on Zoom Thursdays May 8 and 22, and June 5, 6:30-8 pm Pacific; the final session will be in person Saturday, June 21, 10am -1pm.

In addition to these bi-weekly (once every two weeks) sessions, there will be partnering experiences in between sessions to practice what has been learned in the session modules.  This program has a prerequisite of completion of a BSF Book Study program (you may register for the 2025 Book Study here).

Participants will need a copy of The Focusing Student’s And Companion’s Manual, Part One by Ann Weiser Cornell & Barbara McGavin. You can obtain a print or PDF copy here.

Having trouble signing up online? Contact Sonya at 714-744-3172 or slongbotham@csjorange.org.

About the Presenters:

Dcn. Joe Marino was ordained a deacon in the Diocese of San Bernardino in November 2011. He holds a Bachelor of Theology from Catholic Distance University. Experiencing the desire to do the Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life, he entered the Ignatian Spiritual Formation program in 2016. After completion of that program, he felt the desire to continue the path of spiritual direction and entered the Art of Spiritual Direction Program with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. Joe graduated from that program in June 2022. In January 2022 he completed the BioSpiritual twelve-week Intensive Book Study followed by a six-month Intensive Companion course. Joe practices BioSpiritual Focusing and uses it in spiritual direction. He resides with his wife in Moreno Valley, CA. They have three children, 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Margit Dornisch resides with her husband of 38 years in the lovely beach town of Carlsbad, Calif. They have two grown daughters. Margit holds a Master's in Catholic Theology from the Otto-Friedrich-University in Bamberg, Germany. Since 2008 she has worked as Director of Religious Education in her parish.  She is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, accompanying people through Exercises in Daily Life and offering individual and group spiritual direction. In 2020, at a workshop with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, Margit experienced and embraced the practice of BioSpiritual Focusing. She has participated in BioSpiritual Book Studies and completed a companioning course. Tending her garden of California native plants keeps Margit grounded and curious about all the graces that unfold in her various ministries.