Savoring Daily Discoveries of God's Presence

July 11, 2023

In the fullness of life, there is no shortage of retreat opportunities; we attend professional, marriage, writing and silent retreats. While retreats differ in purpose and practices, participants are generally expected to intentionally step away from life’s regular rhythms for 1-7 days and immerse in a particularly focused topic or activity. Last fall, desiring a […]

A Silent Retreat To Remember

June 29, 2023

Fifteen retreatants recently attended a 5-day silent retreat at the St. Augustine Center in Conway, Michigan. The retreat was completely silent, except for time spent with one’s spiritual director each day. Each retreatant was free to decide the shape of silence: some took long solitary walks on nature trails or the beach; some took their […]

Swimming

June 27, 2023

My 2-year-old son, Ozzie, loves the water. He’s moved from exploring and splashing in the shallow parts of the YMCA pool to tentatively traveling with me into deeper waters. Over time and with experience, he’s grown more comfortable. He is so comfortable that he jumps off an underwater bench and glides to me a few […]

Foundations in Spirituality Interview with Phillip Johnson Ph.D.

June 15, 2023

What to Expect If you are considering The Foundations in Spirituality formation intensive at Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College, this video from a graduate of the program may be helpful. Phillip Johnson, Ph.D. completed Foundations in Spirituality in 2020. In this video, Dr. Johnson reflects on how his experience in Foundations transformed his approach […]

Summer Solstice Celebration June 21 in St. Francis Sculpture Garden

June 12, 2023

The word “solstice” ultimately derives from the Latin solstitium, which comes from the parts sol  “sun,” and sistere, “to stand still.” During the June solstice the Sun reaches its northernmost point in the sky, and for a brief period of time the Sun’s path does not change. The summer solstice is the astronomical beginning of […]

Emergence

April 19, 2023

Does the anticipation of spring bring your spirit new awakening energy? Emergence is a noun that goes back to the Latin root emergere, meaning “bring to light”. Are there certain spiritual practices that lighten your heart and help you recharge and feel renewed, practices that energize your ability to envision new paths? Thomas Merton said, […]

Join Us in a Care for Earth Challenge

March 7, 2023

Dominican Sisters are Refusing to Use or Buy Single-Use Beverages in Plastic Bottles During Catholic Sisters Week We decided to join the Sisters and invite friends of Dominican Center and Aquinas College to join the challenge. The Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids, Michigan are one of many congregations of Catholic Sisters taking up the “Refuse […]

Show Dominican Sisters Love & Appreciation During Catholic Sisters Week

March 2, 2023

Let's show the Sisters who have taught us, mentored us, and stood by us -- lots of love and appreciation during Catholic Sisters Week! Transformative spirituality is a living, breathing power in our world -- Catholic Sisters – through their lives, their ministries -- show us love, hope, and possibility through faith. During Catholic Sisters […]

Living the Lenten Encounter

February 21, 2023

The Lenten season invites us to reflect and reaffirm our commitment to be consciously divine changemakers in this Body of Christ. Thomas Merton wrote, "We do not find the meaning of life alone, we find it with another." I imagine how this message might influence how I enter into Lent. I plan to accept it […]

Continuing Formation for Spiritual Directors at Dominican Center

January 26, 2023

"Tending the Call" programs for spiritual directors remind us that as practitioners we need to care for ourselves and continue growing in the Spirit. Offered a couple of times a year, "Tending the Call" welcomes spiritual directors to return to the works of foundational spiritual companions and contemplative practices introduced in Practicum I and II. […]