What do I do? What is my next right step? What is God calling me to? Does God even have a plan for me? How do I know what to do?  

 
These are universal questions that run straight to the deepest desires of our hearts: who we are and our purpose in the world. These are questions that can bring people to their knees as they seek spiritual guidance and look for answers within their faith. They are also very common. In fact, you may be asking yourself these questions right now. Or you may be walking with someone who is facing these questions and trying to make a confident decision. 

What is Discernment? 
Discernment is an on-going process where we ask the question, what is God’s will for me right now? God helps us make the decision, and then we can act on the decision with courage.  
 
There is an antidote to the confusion, lack of clarity, and lack of purpose you may feel personally or may see in those you encounter and accompany as we ask these questions. There is hope to bring peace to the restlessness and uncertainty as we walk through life searching for the “right” path. 

While, at times, discernment can feel tough, it is a necessary component to our faith lives. Discernment invites us to notice and to live God’s will for us in the day-to-day. Discernment leads to bold actions, and it also brings inner peace as we live the freedom and abundance that God desires for us. 

The path of Ignatian prayer & discernment is not meant to walk alone. St. Ignatius anchored his wisdom in the need for a guide to help us into deeper waters of faith.    

Building on insights from her over twenty years of experience as an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, teacher, and retreat facilitator and the work of her two award-winning books, Becky Eldredge has a profound knowledge and deep lived experience of scripture, the Catholic faith, and the Ignatian path of prayer and discernment. In all areas and every day of her life, she lives the Ignatian principles of discernment. Her work as a spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and spiritual direction instructor give her the opportunity to teach others to pray, listen, and discern daily.

Becky is eager to accompany you beyond the shallows and onto a path that leads to greater hope, clarity, and peace. It is a path you can walk, you can lead from, and you can also offer to those you are called to serve.  

Let's go deeper, together.

What to Expect from this Series

Going Past the Shallows: Fundamentals of Ignatian Discernment includes a total of nine hours of direct virtual learning from Ignatian author, spiritual director, and teacher, Becky Eldredge – that is 90 minutes once a month for 6 months. Her expert guidance will lead you past a foundational knowledge of Ignatian spirituality to advance deeper into Ignatian discernment; not just to guide your own heart, but to equip you to guide others you encounter in ministry.  

All sessions will be delivered live via Zoom and the full recordings will be available within 24 hours for all who are unable to attend live. 

Session I: January 24, 2024, 12:30-2:00pm Central Standard Time  

Prayer: The Heart of Discernment 
Prayer helps us to know God, so we can love God, and be filled with the desire to follow and serve God in all things. This session gives a deeper understanding of how prayer is the heart and foundation of discernment. Leave with greater knowledge of the key components and tools of Ignatian prayer that enable us to bring our deep questions to God, to listen for God's invitations, and to know the path forward, and with resources to look more closely at the life of Jesus through the Gospels.

Session II: February 28, 2024, 12:30-2:00pm Central Standard Time  

The Grace I Seek: Discernment and our Deep Desires
This session examines the importance of the desires of our heart in discernment and how our desires are used by the Holy Spirit to help us know God's call and invitation. Receive resources and wisdom to help you name the grace you seek, to name the desires of your heart, and to understand how desires play a key role in knowing God’s dream for our lives.  Leave understanding that our deep desires are God's deep desires for us.

Session III: March 27, 2024, 12:30-2:00pm Central Daylight Time 

Inner Freedom: The First Principle and Foundation and the Disposition 
St. Ignatius of Loyola begins his work, the Spiritual Exercises, with this First Principle and Foundation. It defines what St. Ignatius sees as the purpose to life itself. It offers us God’s vision for our life. This session is a deep look at the First Principle and Foundation and the key disposition necessary for discernment: that we want and choose what God desires for our lives. Leave with tools to notice disordered attachments and recognize the cycle of spiritual freedom in our lives and in others. 

Session IV: April 24, 2024, 12:30-2:00pm Central Daylight Time 

Discerning the Movement of the Spirits: Consolation & Desolation 
Let’s take a deep dive into the movements of the spirits and develop a fuller understanding of the terms consolation and desolation. You’ll leave this session with tools to tune your ear and hearts to the markers of consolation and desolation within yourself and within others.  

Session V: May 22, 2024, 12:30-2:00pm Central Daylight Time 

An Open Path: Four Steps of Discernment
Though we may wish that discernment happens once and then is done, the truth is that discernment is an ongoing cycle with many questions being held at varying places along the path. This session explores passive and active discernment and dives into the the four tangible steps of active discernment that we can follow and offer to others. 

Session VI: June 26, 2024, 12:30-2:00pm Central Daylight Time 

Aligning Our Heart with God’s: Three Modes of Discernment 
There are times when clarity of our next right step may seem obvious. Then there are times when we need to rely on the movement of our hearts or times when the gift of our intellect needs to be used. The session explores St Ignatius’ three modes of discernment and how discernment paths open for each way.  

What's Included: 

• Six live 90-minute sessions via zoom with Becky Eldredge  
• Access to video recordings of the monthly sessions 
• Gathering with other deep-water seekers and ministry leaders 
• Downloadable workbooks with dozens of replicable resources  
• Additional resources, such as guided audio prayers, blog posts, songs, and more to equip you to utilize these tools in your life and ministries
  
  

Cost: 

Don’t miss this opportunity to work with Becky Eldredge in a small group setting. Register now for the first offering of this virtual class on discernment for $349, with options to pay in one payment or split payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this series for?

It is for volunteer or paid ministry leaders who lead ministries in parishes, schools, dioceses and other organizations. It is for lay leaders, religious sisters, deacons, and clergy. It is for those involved in ministries such as adult faith formation, young adult ministry, youth ministry, campus ministry, children's ministry, RCIA, marriage preparation. It is for spiritual directors, retreat facilitators, pastoral care ministers, directors of religious education along with parents, catechists, teachers, bible study leaders, or leader of women's or men's groups. It is for all who want to walk the Ignatian path with a trained guide and who are called to accompany others in their faith. It for those desiring to say "yes" to God's call into deeper waters of faith.


When are the classes held?

Going Past the Shallows runs from January through June, with monthly live virtual meetings via Zoom on January 24, February 28, March 27, April 24, May 22, & June 26. The recordings of each meeting will be posted within 24 hours if you cannot attend live.

All meetings are held from 12:30 pm -2 pm Central Time. The January & February session will be 12:30 pm - 2 pm Central Standard Time. The March-June sessions will be 12:30 pm-2 pm Central Daylight Time.

How is this different from other offerings Becky has done in the past?

Going Past the Shallows is not a retreat, but rather a live virtual class where Becky is teaching from her expertise. It includes prayer and wisdom drawn from her twenty-five years of ministry rooted in Ignatian spirituality. The goal is for you to leave with greater knowledge and the tools to journey on the Ignatian path of prayer & discernment for yourself so that you can lead others on this path to God.

Fundamentals of Ignatian Discernment is the second series of Becky's Going Past the Shallows. The first series, held in 2023, was a six month deep-dive into the Fundamentals of Ignatian Prayer. That content is not a pre-requisite for this series, but it is expected that it will be offered again in the future.

Do I have to attend all the sessions?

Going Past the Shallows is a six-class series. When you register, you are able to attend all six sessions and get access to every recording. Attendance is not necessary, but highly recommended in order to learn from the community gathered together. The recording will be available if you are not able to attend live. Access to the recordings and materials will be available through the end of July.

What if the cost is too much?

Just like all of Becky's offerings, we do not want the financial aspect to keep you from attending. If you want to attend and your budget does not allow for it at this moment, please email us at [email protected]. We will provide a coupon code with an option to pay what you can.

Can I receive certification credit from my diocese or archdiocese for participating in this course?

All Diocese of Baton Rouge attendees are eligible to receive 9 Hours of Diocese of Baton Rouge Enrichment Certification Credit. Upon your full completion of the series, please email [email protected].

If you are in a different diocese, we are happy to send proof of your completion for you to submit as needed. Please reach out to the email listed above.

How can I access the classes and materials? Is there an app?

The classes will be delivered via Zoom and accessible via the Zoom app. The course platform, which holds all of the details and materials, is Teachable. If possible, please opt into emails from Teachable so that we can send updates and notify you that new content is available. You can access the course through logging into Teachable.com on a computer or laptop. There is also a free Teachable iOS app for Apple devices. Note that through the app, you will not have access to the community wall and will have limited access to the handouts. If you having trouble downloading the handouts, please reach out to us at [email protected].