Jim Hynes

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, London), Master Catechist Certification for the Diocese of Raleigh, 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 19^th Annotation Retreat in Everyday Life, and has done so as part of St. Thomas More/Newman Team. He is currently leading the weekly Spiritual Exercises Program for St. Thomas More.

In 2023, he completed a program The Spiritual Exercises Reclaimed: Uncovering Liberating Possibilities for Women, to better serve his women directees, and to discern the merits of the Spiritual Exercises apart from its military and patriarchal language..

Please see these two articles which describe his approach to Spiritual Direction:

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 both 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, Anthony Bartlett, 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.

Pope Francis said recently,

"There is a need for people forged in the Spirit, for 'pilgrims of hope,' men and women capable of charting and walking new and challenging paths."

These are the people I am hoping to help form and produce!

Jim is not open to taking new Directees at this time. Please check back from time to time for news.