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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
January 5, 2023
Look for "stars"... that direct your journey, that offer new perspectives, that induce wonder and awe, that call us to risk, that entice us to sing, dream, hope, dance, march. What a meaningful message to welcome in the new year. It's from an Epiphany prayer by Sr. Mary Ann Barrett, alumni engagement officer at […]
January 4, 2023
If you’ve been on the fence about signing up for the Enneagram programs at Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College, either because the word Enneagram itself scares you a little or seems too woo woo, I hope this essay offers some clarity about the tools Ennegram offers each person in any stage of personal growth. […]
December 8, 2022
“The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say, ‘Let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob.” I had a glimpse of this vision last Monday night at […]