Staff and Adjunct Facilitators
Emboldened by Faith, Serving with Joy.
Staff and Adjunct Facilitators
Monsignor Gaspar F. Ancona Msgr. Gaspar F. Ancona was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on November 27, 1936. His home parish was Our Lady of Sorrows Church. His elementary education took place at Sheldon Public School and Our Lady of Sorrows School. From 1950 to 1956 he attended St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids. He was awarded the Basselin Scholarship to the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. for the years 1956-1959. The Basselin Scholarship was given annually to 12 seminarians from throughout the United States for specializing in speech-communications, English, and philosophy. He completed his theology studies at St. John’s Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan, while also taking summer classes at Michigan State University Extension in Grand Rapids and Aquinas College. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Grand Rapids on June 1, 1963. His assignments have included high school teaching at St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids and Catholic Central in Manistee. His parish assignments included St. Paul’s Campus Parish at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids, and St. Sebastian Church in Byron Center, where he lead the parish campaign to build a new church. He did additional studies in Rome in 1973 and 1977-78. He was named Monsignor by Pope John Paul II in 1986. He was Associate Director of Religious Education, judge for the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal, founding director of the Continuing Education of Priests, host for the televised program “Catholic Outlook,” host for the ecumenical radio program, “Soundings,” Chaplain of the Grand Rapids Serra Club, lecturer for Emeritus College (now OLLI) at Aquinas, and columnist for the Western Michigan Catholic and Faith Magazine. Bishop Robert Rose commissioned him to write the diocesan history, which was published in 2001 as Where the Star Came to Rest. He retired in January of 2007.
Reverend David P. Baak is Designated Associate Pastor for Mission and Pastoral Care of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids. He has served in Interim Pastor assignments with several congregations since 2004 after many years in the leadership of the Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism (GRACE) (through 2007) and as its executive director from 1983-2002. He is convener of the Congregations Council of the “Year of Interfaith Understanding — 2012″ in Grand Rapids; a member of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute Advisory Committee (at Grand Valley State University); and, a member of the Community Relations Commission of the City of Grand Rapids. David is an ordained clergy in the Reformed Church in America (RCA) and lives in Grand Rapids.
Nancy Brousseau, OP facilitates an interfaith committee in East Lansing. This group offers dialogue and dinner events twice a year for the public with a variety of topics that relate to all faith traditions. Her group spiritual direction with the people of the Heartside Neighborhood in Grand Rapids is published in Group Spiritual Direction: The Lived Experience by Paulist Press. As a part-time Facilitator for the ELCA North/West Lower Michigan Synod Center for Mission & Ministry, she offers ecumenical retreats, spiritual direction, workshops and programs in prayer, spirituality and spiritual formation for churches in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Sr. Nancy has been a spiritual director and retreat director for thirty years. She has certificates in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and Spiritual Direction, and is a certified Grief-Recovery Specialist. A Dominican Sister of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sister Nancy was Director of Dominican Center at Marywood (DCM) for five years and Director of Spirituality Programs for six years. Prior to that, she was Director of St. Joseph’s Educational Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Sister Nancy has an MA in Religious Education, an MDiv from St. John’s Seminary in Detroit and a DMin in Spiritual Direction from the Graduate Theological Foundation and the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. She taught middle school students for 17 years and served five years in school administration.
Doctor Clara Brower was born and reared in the savannah lands of Nigeria in Africa. She became introduced to dreams when she encountered the Nigerians acting out their dreams. Later, she studied dream interpretation with the Jungians, theology with the Jesuits and received her Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction from the Graduate Theological Foundation in South Bend, Indiana. She does spiritual direction, retreats and lives a contemplative life.
Sharon Garlough Brown and her husband, Jack, serve as co-pastors of Redeemer Covenant Church in Dutton, Michigan. Sharon received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from Smith College, a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Dominican Center. Sharon has pastored congregations in Scotland, England, and Oklahoma. She is a spiritual director, popular retreat speaker, and author of the award-winning spiritual formation novel, Sensible Shoes. She enjoys teaching piano, watching movies with Jack and their teenage son, David, and all things British—especially tea.
Nora Butcher is a SoulCollage® facilitator, psychotherapist and artist. Combining art, psychotherapy and spirituality, she helps individuals and groups, who want to discover their unique strengths and find answers to life’s questions. She earned an MSW from Michigan State University and a BA from Aquinas College. She taught at the Midland Center for the Arts, Delta College and the Saginaw Art Museum and also worked as a therapist for twenty-two years. After experiencing the life changing effects of art making, she now presents the expressive art process of SoulCollage® for groups and individuals. You can learn more about Nora at her website: http://www.norabutcher.com.
Barb Christiaans is an interfaith spiritual director who loves journeying with people spiritually, and who has a passion for building bridges between faith groups. Counseling refugees and immigrants rooted her in interfaith work, she holds a Master of Arts in Family Studies from Michigan State University and a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction.Her course “Through A Jewish Lens” not only introduces participants to a traditional Jewish practice, but also provides an experience of different faiths truly walking together spiritually.Barb is a member of Congregation Ahavas Israel where she is on the Religious Life Committee, facilitates an ongoing Mussar va’ad, and co-leads an art group.
Susan Duesbery holds a Bachelors of Education with 15 years of teaching experience, most recently as an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University. She is a graduate of the Holistic Health Care Graduate Program at Western Michigan University and holds a Certificate in Holistic Stress Management Facilitation from the Paramount Wellness Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Susan offers stress management and wellness presentations; workshops; and consultations to individuals, community groups, professional organizations, and businesses. She does this in order to offer information and tools to foster increased health, more joy, and a greater sense of peace in today’s stressful world. Additionally, she teaches yoga and Laughter Yoga at The Dominican Center, Expressions of Grace Yoga, and Cascade Yoga Studio in Grand Rapids. Her soothing voice, skillful teaching and supportive manner encourage participants to nurture their body, open their heart, and recognize their wholeness. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband, two “beautiful daughters and two goofy dogs.”
Gary Eberle is a professor of English and former chair of the English department at Aquinas College . Since coming to Aquinas in 1982, he has served as an administrator and faculty member teaching literature and humanities. He founded the Insignis Program for Honors Students in 1985 and was instrumental in initiating the Spectrum Scholarship competition in 1992. A member of the library building committee in 2002, he spearheaded the idea of transforming Jarecki Center into the college’s first freestanding library. He has twice been honored with the Student Senate’s Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year award and is the author of seven books, including the novel Angel Strings and several non-fiction works, the latest of which is Dangerous Words: Talking About God in an Age of Fundamentalism.
Now serving in his third term, Mayor George Heartwell took office on January 1, 2004. During his tenure, City government has “gone green”, implementing a variety of environmental measures including purchase of renewable resource energy, use of alternative fuels in city vehicles, continued attention to water quality in the Grand River, and widespread implementation of energy conservation measures. In January of 2007 the United Nations recognized Grand Rapids as a “Center of Expertise” in sustainability. The Mayor has overseen a period of rapid economic development in Grand Rapids, even during an extended downturn in the Michigan economy. Mayor Heartwell also serves as President and CEO of Pilgrim Manor Retirement Community. He is married to Susan Heartwell who is the Executive Director of the Student Advancement Foundation.
Al Heystek is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked professionally with men’s issues since 1994. He has been a therapist with the Men’s Resource Center at Fountain Hill since 2002. Prior to that Al worked for OAR, Inc. in Holland, Michigan as a therapist in both outpatient and residential men’s chemical dependency programs. Al also worked for Gateway Foundation, an Outpatient Treatment center in Chicago and prior to that was on a ministerial team for 10 years in an urban ministry in Chicago. Al is also an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.
Al’s practice revolves around three levels of accountability. The first and foundational level is to own up to my part of my current difficulties. The second level is about developing a deeper level of compassion for those I have hurt or for those who have hurt me. The third and equally important level is to develop a deeper level of compassion for myself.
Al believes that learning compassion is at the heart of positive change. Al’s passion for working with men on their journeys of healing and growth is connected to his deeply held belief that men can change. When given respect and opportunity men can move forward in surprising ways.
M. Katherine Hilkert, OP, a Dominican Sister of Peace, is professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame. She is the author of Naming Grace: Preaching and the Sacramental Imagination (Continuum, 1997) and Speaking with Authority: Catherine of Siena and the Voices of Women Today (Paulist, 2008); and co-editor of The Praxis of the Reign of God: An Introduction to the Thought of Edward Schillebeeckx. She has served on two international theological commissions on preaching of the Dominican Order and preached retreats and lectured on theology, preaching, and spirituality throughout the United States and in Canada, Europe, Australia, and South Africa.
Molly Keating has been a Certified Spiritual Director since 1998 from the Dominican Center for Religious Development and a Master’s in Pastoral Studies with a focus in Spirituality from Loyola University, She says that she has had “the privilege of walking with others on this incredible transformative journey in which one deepens their relationship with God, and listens to the guidance, consolation and comfort of the Holy Spirit. I meet in one-to-one settings, in small group spiritual direction, by phone, email, or even Skype!” Centering Prayer has been a constant in her life since 1995. She is a commissioned presenter of the Introductory Workshops and also offers the Welcoming Prayer. She has also been an adjunct presenter at the Catholic Information Center for many years. Presently, Molly is the Coordinator for Contemplative Outreach of West Michigan. As a published co-author of Unlocking Our Fenced In Hearts: By Listening to the Voice of Love , they have been able to connect with many women’s groups to start to dismantle the barriers that inhibit us from becoming our truest self. In March of 2011, Molly joined Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids part time to bring in the spiritual piece to the healing journey. Keating says, “It has been a heartening experience of offering programming that invites the Spirit to lead as we experience how profoundly cancer impacts our lives and the opportunities to grow and grieve and even smile as we move through the loss of what was and possibly embrace eventually the new normal.”
Susan Komis has served Contemplative Outreach since 1990. She began as a volunteer for the St. Louis, MO Chapter. Appointed as Coordinator for the St. Louis, Missouri region in 1994, she served in that capacity through 1999 and is still involved with Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis as a commissioned presenter. A member of the Faculty of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd , Susan serves as Director of Chapter Resources & Communication Services (CRCS) to support Coordinators and Contact Persons throughout the Contemplative Outreach spiritual network. She assists Chapters by making on-site Chapter visitations and offering programs for leadership enrichment and Chapter development. In other servant-leader roles, Susan has serves as a staff person for numerous Contemplative Outreach retreats, currently serves as a mentor for other servant-leaders and continues to develop leadership formation programs as an employee of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. Susan is a certified Pastoral Minister in the Archdiocese of St. Louis and has worked in Adult Faith Development and various other ministries including Spiritual Direction and Interspiritual Dialogue. Previous employment history includes serving as Administrative Director of an early childhood center, and working in Human Resources for two corporations. Susan is married, mother of four daughters, and grandmother of seven. She currently resides in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri.
Sheldon Kopperl has taught at GVSU since 1970, where he is a member of the Biomedical Sciences and Liberal Studies Departments. GVSU is introducing, in the fall 2012 semester, a new Religious Studies Major and Minor program, and he is on the Advisory Committee of this program. The subjects he has taught at GVSU include history of science, art history, and of most relevance, Judaism and Introduction to Religious Studies. He serves as a lay adult and religious school educator at Temple Emanuel of Grand Rapids, a Reform Jewish congregation of nearly 300 families. When the Rabbi is unavailable, he will lead the weekly Torah Study group and several times a year has conducted Friday evening services. He is also treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Dialogue Association of Grand Rapids.
Rabbi David J.B. Krishef graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Hebrew and Jewish Studies. After two years as program director at the University of Minnesota Hillel Foundation, he entered the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he received ordination in 1994. Since his ordination, Rabbi Krishef has served as the rabbi of Congregation Ahavas Israel, a Conservative synagogue in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has taught Beginning and Intermediate Biblical Hebrew at Grand Valley State University; and also Jewish Life, Literature, Culture, and History at Kuyper College. He is the author of a CHAI curriculum revision published by URJ Press revising the CHAI Judaic curriculum to adapt the Reform curriculum for use in a Conservative or joint Reform/Conservative religious school; and edited a section on Judaism for a World Religions textbook (published by Teacher Created Materials).
Father Joachim Lally, CSP was born in Memphis Tennessee in 1939 and was ordained as a Benedictine monk in 1965. After his ordination, he completed his MS in Counseling and ministered as a Guidance Counselor for Subiaco Academy Boarding School from 1966-68. For the following year, he worked as Assistant pastor for the University of Arkansas Newman Center in Fayetteville and was later in charge of an inner-city African American parish in St. Louis. Father Lally was accepted into the Paulist Novitiate in 1972. As a Paulist priest, “Father Joe” worked in Grand Rapids (1973-1976), Boston, MA (1976-2002), New York City (2002-2006) and as a member of the Mission Band of Paulist Fathers from 2006-2008. Father Lally is a practicing Certified Presenter of Centering Prayer through Contemplative Outreach. He has become well-known for his missionary work in the Dominican Republic (D.R.), having lead forty evangelization, construction and medical missions in the D.R. since 1990. He is the founder and director of the Spanish Language and Cultural Center, a total immersion program, in Santo Domingo (1985-1995). He is the founder and director of Adelante NYC,Inc. Father Joachim entered “Senior Ministry Status” with the Paulist Fathers on July 1, 2010 which allows him time to stay active in several ministries throughout the West Michigan area. He has practiced centering prayer in his own prayer life since 1976 A soft-spoken, kind and gentle spirit, he speaks for what is right and follows the call of God in all things. An accomplished artist in oil, pastels and watercolor, his musical talents are expressed in playing the piano and organ. When Father Lally has quiet time, he enjoys reading and stopping to “smell the roses” on leisurely strolls on God’s beautiful earth.
Amy-Jill Levine, PhD, is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies, and Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School and College of Arts and Sciences. Holding the B.A. from Smith College, the M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University, and honorary doctorates from Christian Theological Seminary, Drury University, the University of Richmond, the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, and the University of South Carolina-Upstate, Professor Levine has been awarded grants from the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American Council of Learned Societies. She has held office in the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association, and the Association for Jewish Studies. Her books include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus (HarperOne), the edited collection,The Historical Jesus in Context (Princeton), and the fourteen-volume edited series, Feminist Companions to the New Testament and Early Christian Writings (Continuum). With Marc Brettler of Brandeis University, she has edited the Jewish Annotated New Testament (Oxford), and she has written, with her Vanderbilt Colleague Douglas Knight, The Meaning of the Bible: What The Jewish Scriptures and the Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us (HarperOne). She has recorded “Introduction to the Old Testament,” “Great Figures of the Old Testament,” and “Great Figures of the New Testament” for the Teaching Company. In 2011, Professor Levine became Affiliated Professor at the Woolf Institute: Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations at Cambridge, UK. She is a self-described “Yankee Jewish feminist who teaches in a predominantly Christian divinity school in the buckle of the Bible Belt.”
Rabbi Albert M. Lewis is the Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Emanuel in Grand Rapids and the Rabbi of Congregation Beth El in Traverse City, Michigan. He is also the past Director of the Aquinas Emeritus College (now OLLI at Aquinas), adjunct professor of Psychology and Gerontology at Aquinas College and the founding president of Hospice of Greater Grand Rapids (now Hospice of West Michigan). Due to his expertise in issues of aging, Rabbi Lewis has served as a consultant to Amway, Herman Miller Corporation, Spectrum Health and Steelcase. In addition, he has been an active member of the Greater Grand Rapids transit millage and the Senior Adult millage. Rabbi Lewis is a recipient of the Monsignor Hugh Michael Beahan Faith in Humanity Award, and together with Shirley, the Aquinas College Trustee Award. His rabbinic career has been built on interfaith understanding and dialogue and his weekly columns in The Grand Rapids Press are now finding their way across the country.
Jan Lundy is a former educator in the area of religious studies, a nationally recognized speaker, and the author of four personal/spiritual growth books, her newest being Your Truest Self: Embracing the Woman You Are Meant to Be (Sorin Books.) Described by her readers and audiences as “practical and poetic with deep and gentle wisdom,” Jan has inspired tens of thousands of women around the nation to engage in “Awakened Living” — living with clear, open minds and wise, compassionate hearts. Her speaking clients include churches, spirituality and retreat centers, corporations, universities, women’s organizations, and health care systems, all of whom offer high praise for Jan’s inspirational and openhearted speaking style, as well as her refreshing, peaceful presence. For the past thirteen years, Jan has also served as the Lifestyle Writer for Women’s LifeStyle Magazine, a franchised publication distributed throughout the U.S. Her love of being with other people as they journey through life is enhanced by her work as an Interfaith Spiritual Director. Jan serves as an adjunct staff member for Dominican Center at Marywood in Grand Rapids, MI., leading women’s workshops and retreats, and mentoring spiritual directors in training. She is a Dominican Associate. You can learn more about Jan at her website: www.AwakenedLiving.com
Reverend Diane Maodush-Pitzerwas ordained in the Reformed church in America and is currently the Program Coordinator for Religious Studies at Grand Valley State University – this is a new major/minor beginning in the fall of 2012. She is a professor in this program and in Liberal Studies. Formerly, she was the founding director of WITNESS, a non-profit organization working to bring women into leadership in the church; a Parish Pastor; and also a faculty member at Western Theological Seminary. She is committed to ecumenical and interfaith work and is the Co-Host of Soundings, which is a weekly radio program dealing with ecumenical and interfaith issues.
David Muyskens is a retired ordained minister of the Reformed Church in America having served as pastor of churches in New Jersey. In the summer of 1999 he moved with his wife to Grand Rapids. He is a commissioned presenter of the introductory centering prayer workshop of Contemplative Outreach and a member of the Circle of Service, the governing board of Contemplative Outreach. He is also a graduate of the Spiritual Guidance Program of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. Tilden Edwards was his mentor in the program. He has been a spiritual director since 1991. For ten years, he was Adjunct Assistant Professor of Spirituality at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Brunswick, NJ. He has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, and has written two books published by Upper Room Books: Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God: The Practice of Centering Prayer and Sacred Breath: Forty Days of Centering Prayer.
Venerable Deokwun Russell Pitts oversees the Grand Rapids Zen Center and Buddhist Temple in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Center is under his spiritual guidance. Sunim, as he is called, is a father of five adult children and the grandfather of six. Having a family is in keeping with the Taego Order principles and part of the Mahayana Buddhist teachings that the clergy should concentrate on as being fully present and active in the world. Venerable Deokwun is a former naval officer, attorney, and college and high school teacher.
Brian J. Plachta serves as an attorney with the law firm of Plachta, Murphy & Associates, is a candidate for a Masters Degree in Pastoral Counseling, a spiritual director, Dominican Associate, and an Adjunct Faculty member at Dominican Center at Marywood. He has spoken at numerous churches throughout West Michigan and conducted several workshops on men’s spirituality topics. He has also researched and written extensively on the topic of men’s spirituality, having recently completed a book on spiritual friendships among men. He is currently working on his second book on breaking the He is the co-founder of a non-profit men’s group, Over the Edge, which seeks to provide a sacred space for and among men to explore their faith and spirituality together. See: http://www.goovertheedge.com/. Married and the father of four adult children, Brian and his wife, Denise, are members of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Grand Rapids, MI.
Sister Mario Pavoni, OP is a member of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids in Michigan. She has been educating individuals in the Feldenkrais Method ® as a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher® since 1994. The Feldenkrais Method® is a form of gentle and slowed movement with directed attention to improving movement, balance and enhancing human functioning. All Feldenkrais practitioners must complete 800 hours of training over a 3-4 year period. The Feldenkrais Method® incorporates both group classes — Awareness Through Movement®, and private lessons — Functional Integration®. Group classes are taught at Dominican Center Marywood and private lessons can be scheduled by calling 616.458.8799.
Barbara E. Reid,OP is a Dominican Sister of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She holds a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and is Vice President and Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Her most recent books are Abiding Word (Liturgical Press, 2011), Taking Up the Cross: New Testament Interpretations Through Latina and Feminist Eyes (Fortress Press, 2007; Spanish translation by Verbo Divino, 2009), The Gospel According to Matthew. New Collegeville Bible Commentary Series (Liturgical Press, 2005), Parables for Preachers (3 volumes; Liturgical Press, 1999, 2000, 2001; Spanish translation for Year A, 2007; Year B 2008), Choosing the Better Part? Women in the Gospel of Luke (Liturgical Press, 1996). She has led many of CTU Israel Study Programs and Retreats.Currently she is writing Sophia’s Table: An Introduction to Feminist Interpretation of the Scriptures (forthcoming from Eerdman’s Press) and is General Editor for a new 60-volume feminist commentary on the Bible, Wisdom Commentary Series (forthcoming from Liturgical Press).
Doctor Sharif Ahmad Sahibzada is currently the Director/ Shaikh/Ul Jami’/Imam at the Islamic Center of West Michigan and Masjid of Grand Rapids. He received his BA in English from the University of Punjab, Lahore Pakistan; MA in Arabic, Islamic Studies and Oriental Learning from the University of Leeds in England; and his PhD from the University of Leeds in England. In addition, Dr. Sahibzada belongs to the academic family that has constant devotion to serve humanity, spiritually and academically, having an expert scholarly approach in the field of Islamic Sciences since 1850CE (150 Years). He represents the third generation of this family of academicians. He has served as Lecturer/A-Professor (College & University), Director, Principal, Education Officer, Teacher, Consultant on Islamic Affairs (Muslims & Non Muslims in Asia, Europe, North America), Imam in the Mosques, Director in The Islamic Centers, Evening Schools, Moderators, Guest Speaker in the Seminars, Public gatherings and conferences. Dr. Sahibzada says, “I have inclination and devotion to serve religion & the humanity for its true guidance to divine knowledge, peaceful motivation / Research Study/ Lecturing/ Seminars / Social Interaction with masses / General global awareness of the situation through media and personal contacts and also attended Interfaith Meetings.
Mohammad Saleh, MD is the President of the Islamic Mosque and Religious Institute worships at the Islamic Mosque and Religious Institute in Grand Rapids, where he is also Chairman of the Board. He is a frequent panelist and presenter at interfaith programs and dialogue sessions in the greater Grand Rapids Community. Dr. Saleh is a practitioner of Internal Medicine, having earned his M.D. from Damascus University School of Medicine in Syria and completed his residency at Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center.
Rabbi Michael Schadick has been the rabbi of Temple Emanuel since July 2000. He was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1994. He has served congregations in Orlando, Florida and Plantation, Florida. Rabbi Schadick speaks about Judaism throughout West Michigan. He is married to Susan Schadick. They have one daughter, Shira. The Schadicks make their home in Cascade Township.
Christine Shanahan has been a member of the Bodyworks Team at Dominican Center at Marywood (DCM) since becoming a Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) in 1998. Her decision to pursue Massage Therapy as a career came after she experienced the benefits of massage at DCM. A native of Grand Rapids, mother of two and cancer survivor, she is active in Relay for Life and in spreading the word about the joys and advantages of therapeutic massage. Chris has a number of faithful clients, and she is always looking for ways to improve more lives with her healing hands.
Reverend Chandler Stokes serves as Senior Pastor and Head of Staff of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated in Religious Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz, received his M.Div. from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and did doctoral work at the Graduate Theological Union and the University of California Berkeley. He was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1983, served churches in Northern California from 1983-2008, and taught Biblical Studies and Homiletics for many years at SFTS and the GTU. He also serves on the Committee on Theological Education for the PC(USA). He is married to Reverend Karen Stokes, Interim Pastor and Head of Staff at East Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, and they have two sons – Jeremy 30 and Dusty 27.
Carmelita Switzer, OP serves as a staff facilitator and presenter for Dominican Center at Marywood. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Religious Studies from Aquinas College and a Master of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies from Providence College. She completed Pastoral Studies with an emphasis in Formation Studies at Aquinas Institute on the campus of St. Louis University. Her ministries include teaching, Pastoral Ministry in a parish setting, and Pastoral Administration in a parish that had no priest. She has also spent time in ministry on behalf of the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters as Director of Formation and as Co-Director of Pastoral Life for the Marywood Campus. Coming from a rural farm community background she loves Michigan’s many lakes and natural beauty and God’s creatures large and small. Study of spirituality and living an integrated contemplative and active lifestyle have been long time interests and priorities.
Mary Vaccaro serves as Director of Dominican Center at Marywood, Adjunct Faculty in Theology and Women’s Studies at Aquinas College, and occasionally as a columnist for Faith Magazine Grand Rapids. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Aquinas College, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College and a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Dominican Center. She has served in lay ecclesial ministry for more than twenty five years in a variety of settings, which include: Holy Family Parish in Caledonia, the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids, the University of Notre Dame, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, St. Francis de Sales Parish in Muskegon and the Catholic Information Center in Grand Rapids. She served on the board of Grand Rapids Area enter for Ecumenism (GRACE) from 2002-2006 and is a member of the speakers’ bureau for the Interfaith Dialogue Association and the Kaufman Interfaith Institute Congregations Council for 2012, the Year of Interfaith Understanding. She enjoys offering courses on spirituality, scripture, biographical presentations on saints and other inspiring/holy people, ecumenical/interfaith studies and social justice issues – integrating theology and human experience into all of her teaching through exploring works of literature, art, music, storytelling and humor. Mary has been an Associate of the Grand Rapids Dominicans since 1992.
Reverend Elizabeth Vander Haagen is a spiritual director and co-pastor of Boston Square Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI. She received her MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary and completed the spiritual direction practicum at the Dominican Center in 2008. She and her husband (and co-pastor) Jay Blankespoor have two daughters. Elizabeth has admired Corrie ten Boom since middle school and her faith has been significantly influenced by Corrie’s testimony and passion.
Ann Walters, OP earned a Master Degree in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University. Sister Ann has been active in leading adult faith formation classes, workshops, seminars; directing and preaching retreats; and also providing spiritual direction. Positions she has held include: Co-Director of Collaborative Dominican Novitiate of the United States Dominican Women’s Congregations, Director of Formation for Grand Rapids Dominicans, and Elementary/High School Education Administration. She has also been active in inner-city ministries in Detroit, Chicago, Rural Northern Michigan, St. Louis MO, and Gusau, Nigeria, West Africa.
David Wenger is a Spiritual Director and Co-Director of The Hermitage — a retreat house in Three Rivers, Michigan. The Hermitage offers hospitality, spiritual direction, worship leadership, group facilitation and the permission of silence to the many retreat guests they serve. David attended Sursum Corda, a spiritual director’s formation program of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. He came to The Hermitage in 2001 from Washington, D.C. where he lived for 18 years. There he operated a public relations agency serving the publishing industry and served a local congregation, Washington Community Fellowship, as a lay leader in worship and Christian education.
Diane Zerfas, OP is the current Director of Programs for Dominican Center at Marywood. She received her Bachelor of Science in Math, Chemistry, Theology and Education from Aquinas College; a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies at Aquinas in 1981 and a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Studies at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis in 1991. She holds a Specialized Certificate in Parish Life and Administration from Loyola University of New Orleans and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the DeWitt Retreat Center/Dominican Center for Religious Development. From 1972 through 2006, Sister Diane ministered in several ways. She taught high school for 15 years and was the Director of Formation for the Grand Rapids Dominicans for five years. Other positions include: Director of Initiation and Evangelization at St. Mary Magdalen in Kentwood, Diocesan Director of RCIA for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Co-Director of Pastoral Life at Marywood and a member of the Leadership Team for the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. For the past five years, she has been deeply involved in the Spiritual Formation programs here at Dominican Center through the planning and teaching of: Foundations in Spirituality, Spiritual Companioning and Spiritual Direction Practicum.
