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 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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
November 29, 2022
Advent summons us to the beginning. The lavishness of God's compassion and mercy frame yet another year for us. With the arrival of Advent's first Sunday, we attend to this mystery one more time. ... Our Christian tradition proclaims this as both an event already accomplished in human history and an event moving toward fulfillment […]
August 23, 2022
As we edge into autumn, Dominican Center Marywood — in collaboration with six area hospices, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, Michigan Humanists, and the Grand Rapids area Baha’i community — is poised to host its 8th annual remembering ceremony, We Remember Interfaith Memorial Service, on the Aquinas College campus on Tuesday, September 13, 6:30-8:00 pm. This event is […]