Sacred Stories and Holy Listening with Dan Frachey

In this episode, Dan Frachey shares the beautiful insights he has gained by creating video storytelling memorials. He talks about the precious gift that is listening to others, honoring who they are and what they have to say.

Sharing love through inclusion in the church and inviting personal healing are topics we discussed. He shares his views on inviting marginalized groups of people into the church and their strength.

Another way Dan is involved in holy listening is through the Synod on Synodality. It’s a two-year process of listening and dialogue taking place throughout the global Roman Catholic Church. He’s part of a grassroots effort to plan local listening events for people in Central Illinois. People can share their experiences, losses, frustrations, hopes, and visions regarding the Catholic church.

Meet Dan Frachey

Dan is the creator and chief “story gatherer” of Legacy Weavers Video. He’s on a mission to deeply listen to individuals, help guide them toward a rich and meaningful telling of their story, and create a beautiful video as a legacy gift for family and friends.

He served as the program director for the Chiara Center until it closed in March 2021. Other previous work included serving as Director of Faith Formation at his home parish, leading Habitat for Humanity – Sangamon County as Executive Director, and supervising the St. John’s Breadline soup kitchen in Springfield, IL.

Dan attended the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis and obtained his Masters in Pastoral Studies before moving on to receive a Certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2010. He currently serves as a spiritual director, encouraging people and creating sacred space that allows for open and honest sharing that leads to growth on the spiritual journey.

When Dan isn’t listening to stories, he serves as President of the Greater Springfield Interfaith Association. He also grows herbs and vegetables, making his own “Rochester Woods” jelly to fund local community initiatives. And he likes getting his chihuahuas Paco & Cous Cous out for an evening walk. He and his wife Sherry have been married for 30 years. They celebrate that their adult children are still living close enough to come by for Sunday dinners.

Dan and his wife recently joined Holy Family Inclusive Catholic Community to better manifest his vision of a balanced church that truly welcomes all of God’s people.

Resources We Mention

“The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.” – Richard Rohr
“The experience of being listened to is so close to the experience of being loved that most people can’t tell the difference.” – David Augsburger
New Ways Ministry Catholic LBGT inclusive and affirming ministry
Learn more about the Roman Catholic Synod 2021-2023
The Human Energy Project and videos on YouTube
Validation, a short video by Hugh Newman
Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor
Choosing The Better Part?: Women in the Gospel of Luke by Barbara E. Reid
Do You See This Woman?: Six Women Who Encountered Jesus Face-To-Face by Laynie Travis

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