Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ is a retreat leader, spiritual director, poet, storyteller, and itinerant preacher living and working at the Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, IL. He founded and directed for 16 years, the Fountain Square Fools, an internationally acclaimed performing arts ensemble that proclaimed the gospel through drama, dance, mime, and music. He is also the founder and former director of Charis, a national Jesuit retreat ministry for young adults in their 20s and 30s. For ten years he taught at the Institute of Pastoral Studies of Loyola University training spiritual directors. He is also the current president of Heart to Heart, a Catholic ministry spreading the gospel through print and electronic media. A prolific writer and speaker, Fr. Michael has published books, CDs, and DVDs on prayer, discernment, and the sacraments. He is seen periodically on Shalom World Catholic Television and is heard regularly on Sacred Heart radio in Cincinnati.