Spiritual Direction

  • New Spiritual Directors Welcomed

    New Spiritual Directors Welcomed

    June 1, 2022

    Welcome to the spiritual directors who completed our Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College Foundations in Spirituality formation program. Pictured (L to R): Sr. Diane Zerfas, Mary Marks, Andy Rebollar, Kathy Hasty, Al Juarez, Andréa Vugteveen, Phillip Johnson, Barb Edgerle, Debra Paxton-Buursma, Jillayne Warners, and Kim Franke. (Not Pictured: Kyle Garberson)   The 2022 Circle […]

  • Pure JOY at Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College

    Pure JOY at Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College

    May 10, 2022

    In this life, there is Just One You (JOY). You are a creator and the subject of your creation is your joyful life experience. At our recent JOY Retreat, mentors, staff, and spiritual directors with Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College invited guests to a variety of guided prayerful practices. It truly was a morning […]

  • A Year in the Light ~ An Update from Dominican Center

    A Year in the Light ~ An Update from Dominican Center

    September 1, 2021

    The pandemic forced the closure of the doors of Dominican Center at Marywood on March 13, 2020. With ingenuity and courage, our Dominican Center team set into motion a plan to keep welcome lamps burning for all seeking community. Below are some highlights of this unusual year.   A Year in the Light at Dominican […]

  • Reflections on Community, Isolation and Presence in the Age of Zoom

    Reflections on Community, Isolation and Presence in the Age of Zoom

    August 19, 2021

    What is presence in the age of Zoom? What does it mean to be present on a Zoom call? As a spiritual director, what does it mean when you cannot be physically present with your directee? How do you practice when you no longer have access to your place of practice? What is this mystery […]

  • Apprentice Presence at Dominican Center

    Apprentice Presence at Dominican Center

    August 19, 2021

    Dominican Center initiated the role of apprentices in 2019. Apprentices have already participated in our programs and now are immersing themselves in the Dominican spirit: hospitality, invitation, and contemplation in support of our formation team. Currently, Amanda Dobson has been working with Carmelita Switzer OP in Foundations in Spirituality. Andy Rebollar has joined Diane Zerfas […]

  • A Celebration of Spiritual Direction Ministry and New Spiritual Directors

    A Celebration of Spiritual Direction Ministry and New Spiritual Directors

    May 26, 2021

    This past Saturday morning, May 22, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids and the Dominican Center Spiritual Direction Ministry celebrated six newly certified spiritual directors upon their recent completion of the 2-year Practicum experience. They were invited to a special ministry blessing joined by the community of spiritual directors who make their home at Dominican […]

  • Dominican Center Emerges Anew

    Dominican Center Emerges Anew

    January 12, 2021

    We remain grounded in Dominican roots that guide us to pause and contemplate, stilling the uncertainty surrounding us. We do this resting in God's compassionate love while breathing in trust and breathing out hope. We know the gifts of Dominican Center rest on serving the community by providing programs, retreats, and experiences that help shape […]

  • Because of Dominicans, I am …

    Because of Dominicans, I am …

    May 26, 2020

    On an evening in March 2020, Dominican Center celebrated the ministry of Spiritual Direction. Spiritual Directors gathered to reconnect and to reflect on the impact the ministry has on their lives and on the lives of those with whom they walk. Spiritual Director Esther Yff-Prins shared this reflection; may her powerful message enrich your own […]

  • Insights and Wisdom Regarding My Spiritual Direction Ministry

    Insights and Wisdom Regarding My Spiritual Direction Ministry

    April 13, 2020

    This post is part of Dominican Center's series Stay in the Light ~ Stories of Prayer and Hope During a Pandemic. At Dominican Center, we believe we are prayer in action, and that connection, contemplation, and creativity will see us through these unsettling times and help us find and be in light. We invite you […]

  • Dominican Center and Marywood Campus Closed to All Visitors

    Dominican Center and Marywood Campus Closed to All Visitors

    March 13, 2020

    During this time of pandemic, we invite you to join the Dominican Center community via our online offerings. See our online transformative learning programs and retreats here. Together, we can all help limit transmission of the COVID-19 virus — and help protect the vulnerable and elderly people around us. Dominican Center at Marywood is taking […]