As a professional Spiritual Director and Christian Meditation Teacher, Rev. Maria E. Gullo, MSPC has spent the past 20+ years teaching, supporting and sharing the contemplative dimension of Christian spirituality. She is an ordained minister with the Federation of Christian Ministries, commissioned presenter by Contemplative Outreach, and a Certified Integrative Health Coach.

Maria received her graduate degree in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction from Neumann University in 2004. During some particularly trying personal life circumstances she was guided through a difficult time of darkness thanks to the work of the contemplative mystics and saints. Although on the contemplative journey long before entering graduate school, Maria felt truly led to what would become her life’s work.

As the Founding Director of The Deeper Connection, Maria is passionate about  teaching, supporting and sharing the contemplative dimension of Christianity.  Maria has experience in helping her clients overcome divorce, loss, feeling disheartened with religion and dealing with the repercussions of stress, anxiety and addictions. Her clients develop a deeper connection, clearer understanding and authentic relationship with God, self and others. In addition to teaching centering prayer, Maria delivers the message of contemplative Christian spirituality through workshops, lectures and retreats. She facilitates contemplative worship services and prayer gatherings while also creating guided prayer and meditation tools including audio downloads and CDs available through her website as well as on iTunes, CDBaby and the Insight Timer mobile meditation app.

Maria is a follower of Christ, a dedicated mother and grandmother, business owner and teacher. A lifelong dancer and lover of the performing arts, she enjoys ballroom and latin dancing which she says balances out her contemplative nature.

Statement of Faith

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.