Spirituality

  • A Silent Retreat To Remember

    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 […]

  • Foundations in Spirituality Interview with Phillip Johnson Ph.D.

    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

    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

    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, […]

  • What to Remember Upon Waking

    What to Remember Upon Waking

    March 28, 2023

    This past weekend Kent Dobson presented an introductory workshop on Dreams and Dream Work at Dominican Center Marywood on Aquinas College campus. According to Kent, “dreams deliver material in poetic form.” He shared many insights with the group of participants. When speaking of the soul or “psyche” he stated “the soul gives us clues or […]

  • Have You Wondered How Dreams Relate to Your Spiritual Life?

    Have You Wondered How Dreams Relate to Your Spiritual Life?

    March 9, 2023

    Have you ever wondered how dreams relate to your spiritual life? “Dreams are the back door into the Spiritual life,” says Kent Dobson, author, teacher, and spiritual guide. In the modern world, we have lost this way of listening deeply to the Soul, to the Divine, and we often resist the hidden chambers that dreams […]

  • Join Us in a Care for Earth Challenge

    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 […]

  • Living the Lenten Encounter

    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 […]

  • A New Year Message from the Director

    A New Year Message from the Director

    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 […]

  • New Awareness & Possibilities With Enneagram Study & Community

    New Awareness & Possibilities With Enneagram Study & Community

    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. […]