Lectio Divina is a way of praying the Scriptures so that the Word of God may penetrate our hearts. This prayerful practice is a blend of silence and slow, prayerful reading of Scripture.

Occurs every Wednesday from 12:00 - 12:30 pm.

Chair Yoga uses a chair for greater support and stability within the practice. With an emphasis on the breath, alignment, and taking things at your own pace, Chair Yoga brings simplicity to the practice for easeful connection with the healing and restorative benefits yoga offers.

Yoga begins right where I am –
not where I was yesterday or where I long to be.
– Linda Sparrowe

In each yoga session, experience conscious awareness of breath, observe sensations in the body, notice thoughts, and expand the heart center.

Dominican Center’s yoga sessions create a healing space for all ages, fitness levels, and physical conditions so poses and breath work are accessible to all. For those new to yoga or working with special concerns and injuries, poses are modified and supported with props and detailed instruction for comfort and safety. Props are provided by Dominican Center at no additional cost.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy.

Chair Yoga uses a chair for greater support and stability within the practice. With an emphasis on the breath, alignment, and taking things at your own pace, Chair Yoga brings simplicity to the practice for easeful connection with the healing and restorative benefits yoga offers.

Yoga begins right where I am –
not where I was yesterday or where I long to be.
– Linda Sparrowe

In each yoga session, experience conscious awareness of breath, observe sensations in the body, notice thoughts, and expand the heart center.

Dominican Center’s yoga sessions create a healing space for all ages, fitness levels, and physical conditions so poses and breath work are accessible to all. For those new to yoga or working with special concerns and injuries, poses are modified and supported with props and detailed instruction for comfort and safety. Props are provided by Dominican Center at no additional cost.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy

This gentle class offers a peaceful session to gradually build strength and range of motion. With this quiet practice, experience how mindful movement and breath work can deliver much-needed nurturing, rest, and clarity.

The body is my temple, asanas are my prayers.
– BKS Iyengar

Using gentle and mindful movement as well as nourishing breath work, Gentle Yoga encourages softly stretching and strengthening. In each session, experience conscious awareness of breath, observe sensations in the body, notice thoughts, and expand the heart center.

Dominican Center’s yoga sessions create a healing space for all ages, fitness levels, and physical conditions so poses and breath work are accessible to all. For those new to yoga or working with special concerns and injuries, poses are modified and supported with props and detailed instruction for comfort and safety. Props are provided by Dominican Center at no additional cost.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy

Calm the mind and nourish the body with Restorative Yoga. Restorative poses are held on a mat and deeply supported with yoga props. The practice seeks to balance the physical, mental, and spiritual while also experiencing profound rest and relaxation.

Don’t practice yoga to get better at yoga; practice yoga to get better at living.
- unknown

Using gentle and mindful movement as well as nourishing breath work, Restorative Yoga encourages softly stretching and strengthening. In each session, experience conscious awareness of breath, observe sensations in the body, notice thoughts, and expand the heart center.

Dominican Center’s yoga sessions create a healing space for all ages, fitness levels, and physical conditions so poses and breath work are accessible to all. For those new to yoga or working with special concerns and injuries, poses are modified and supported with props and detailed instruction for comfort and safety. Props are provided by Dominican Center at no additional cost.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy

Silence the world around you. Silence the world within you. Silence the thoughts that shout out to you. In the stillness hear God’s voice. In the quiet sense the Divine’s presence and the spiritual love that is waiting to embrace you. Gently enter into silence during this retreat experience. A Spiritual Director will be here to companion with you.

$335: Includes spiritual direction, meals, and room. Space is limited. Financial scholarships are available. Call to request information.

This program has reached capacity. Please call 616-514-3325 to be placed on a waiting list.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy.

FD: Spirituality

For 25 years, Dominican Center has offered spiritual seekers opportunities to explore ways to deepen their relationship with God.  The spiritual direction ministry has provided seekers guides who sacredly listen to the holy within them. Spiritual Directors have listened to the many stories of these spiritual seekers, always listening for the holy and always being present.

We Come To Tell Our Story is for all Spiritual Directors actively ministering at Dominican Center. We will join in community as brothers and sisters on our own spiritual journey and reflect on the stories we have listened to along the way. Join us for an evening of community, of reflection, and of celebration.

Art and journaling, when used together, can be effective tools for reflection and expression of life experiences. Visual Journaling can help clarify and shape how we interpret life experiences. This workshop will include the creation of a visual journal. All artistic levels are welcome to attend. All materials will be provided for this workshop.

Creative Transformation programs are facilitated by Art Therapist Leara Glinzak. She is recognized as a gentle, interactive presence who guides participants through mindful, creative steps toward healing and growth in times of transition and change. No artistic experience required … only life experience.

Cost includes materials. Limited to 15 participants.

This program has reached capacity. Please call 616-514-3325 to be placed on a waiting list.

FD: Spirituality

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy

Join us for the April Reflective Film Series, Yesterday. This film tells the story of a young mother, Yesterday, who discovers she has AIDS. Her husband, a migrant mine laborer, rejected her despite being the one that infected her. Her ambition becomes to live long enough to see her daughter, Beauty, go to school. This film is the first commercial feature-length production in Zulu.

Rated R

Soda and popcorn provided.

Co-sponsored by the Dominican Associates. Special thanks to Zulema Moret, Dominican Associate, for her generosity.

The loving-kindness meditation is based on metta, the Pali term for unconditional friendliness, or loving-kindness, and is a form of blessing/meditation practice. It is sourced in the Buddhist tradition, yet versions of it are found in many spiritual traditions, including Judaism and Celtic Christianity. It is an interspiritual practice that supports many theologies.

Practice loving-kindness wherever you may go.
― Heather Wolf

Metta is a sitting meditation/prayer form and takes us through six levels of blessing: one's self, benefactors, loved ones, neutral others, difficult others, and ultimately wishing all earthly beings and creatures safety and happiness. This practice opens our hearts to ourselves and others in profound ways.

Take a listen to this personal invitation from  Spiritual Guide Janice Lundy, DMin, and facilitator for Loving-Kindness Meditation.

FD: Spirituality

View Dominican Center's Refund Policy

Join us for transformational writing experiences that focus on a specific theme. As you put pen to paper, observe the emotions that pour from you, discover the truth of your feelings, and allow your heart’s energy to create both art and change.

Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
― Stephen King

Write Your Heart Out is a writing circle facilitated by Sandra Mitchell, coach and writer. Using stillness, writing prompts, sharing, and non-judgmental feedback, these reflective writing experiences are open to writers of all levels. From journal entries, to song lyrics, to fiction, and more, participants write in the genre they find best serves their process. Limited to eight writers.

Read more about transformational writing experiences >

View Dominican Center's Refund Policy

FD: Spirituality

The Dominican Sisters and Dominican Associate Brunch was established in 2013 for Associates and Sisters to get to know one another, enjoy each other’s company, and share stories together.  The Associates participate in the common life value of Dominicans by being attentive to the common good of their life situations including building community with the Dominican Sisters.  The luncheon has also been held in recent years around the feast day of St. Catherine of Siena to celebrate her life and writings.

At this Tuesday Tabletalk, Hearing Young Wisdom Interfaith Voices, listen and learn from a panel of voices of young leaders from diverse faith traditions and worldviews. All under the age of 16, they gather to share their stories of faith and their hopes for the future of our community. Let us listen for the wisdom that comes from their lived experiences and the lessons they can gently teach us.

Join us for dinner, civil conversation, and a celebration of youth wisdom.

Tuesday Tabletalk is a collaboration between Kaufman Interfaith Institute and Dominican Center. It is a program that meets at the intersection of a shared meal and conversation

Cost: $25.00 / $10.00 for students, use code StudentTabletalk at checkout (includes vegetarian meal)

View Dominican Center's Refund Policy

Learn the benefits of the Zentangle Drawing Method, as well as techniques and basic steps of creating a Zentangle work of art. Discover the gifts of relaxation, expanded awareness, enhanced focus, new practices for problem-solving, and uncover new ways to see beauty and to embrace the unexpected.

Led by Amy W.M. Kam, Certified Zentangle Teacher, the Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, learn more about Zentangle at zentangle.com

A wonderful way for a person to grow in a quiet meditative atmosphere, expressing their creativity and sharing in the process with others.
- Zentangle Participant

Beginners welcome; no previous experience required.  Supplies included.

View Dominican Center's Refund Policy.

Silence the world around you. Silence the world within you. Silence the thoughts that shout out to you. In the stillness hear God’s voice. In the quiet, sense the Divine’s presence and the spiritual love that is waiting to embrace you. Gently enter into silence during this retreat experience. A spiritual director will be here to companion with you during this silent retreat.

$335: Includes spiritual direction, meals, and room. Space is limited. Financial scholarships are available. Call to request information.

This program has reached capacity. Please call 616-514-3325 to be placed on a waiting list.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy.

The Rosary has its roots in the early 1000s in the West and corresponds to the repetitive prayer of the heart, which developed in the East. Praying the Rosary is an ancient practice, yet remains a mystery to many of us.

Explore the Rosary by uncovering its roots and its relevancy as a contemporary spiritual prayer practice. We will see the mysteries from Scripture unfold as we pray the Rosary, blending vocal prayer, meditation, and contemplation into the practice.

Includes Rosary and breakfast.

View Dominican Center's Refund Policy

FD: Spirituality

In this program, Mary and the Holy Spirit ~ In the Church and Contemporary Life, explore how Mary is the most significant woman in the Christian faith. She gave birth to the Christ, the Son of God, through an act of grace and courageous generosity. Scripture and the Tradition of Christian faith speak of her. The Church speaks of her. Feminist theologians speak of her. We speak of her. Both our heads and our hearts are engaged in this process of discovering her richness, her meaning, her relationship to our contemporary life.

These two presentations will explore how we have come to know Mary and consider how she can enrich and challenge our life and faith today as disciples of Jesus the Christ in an increasingly secularized world.  Listen to this beautiful version of Mary Did You Know and contemplate on how Mary continues to be a great source of strength, faith and love.

https://pixabay.com/en/virgin-mary-religion-faith-868970/

View Dominican Center's Refund Policy

FD: Spirituality

Sisters Who Lead brings together West Michigan women of color for two days of pouring into one another through strength, strategy, and serenity! Event fee is inclusive of both days.

May 16 - Day 1:  4:00-8:00 pm at City Flats Hotel
May 17 - Day 2:  8:30-3:00 pm

Registration is now officially open for this event. Please click on the link below to register and find out more details on the event.

http://sisterswholead.com/2019-conference/

The Saint Series is a presentation and conversation with Dominican Associates that shines light on the many holy women and men in service of God.

Dominican Associates are non-vowed women and men who desire to practice their Christian faith in the spirit of the Dominican Order of Preachers. Interested in Dominican Associate Life? Visit grdominicans.org/associates.

All are welcome.

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Father Mark Dean, OMI, writes:

As the disciples walked along the road to Emmaus (cf. Lk 24: 13f) they were joined by a stranger who opened for them a complete new understanding of scriptures well-known to them.

I would like to share with you how, with the help of Fr. James Alison (a stranger, perhaps, to you at this time), I have come to see the Scriptures in a new light… a light whose source is the Risen Christ.

Zentangle: Seed to Stem, is for those that love Zentangle AND color AND nature-based tangles. Prepare for spring as we explore the power of seed to grow amazing stems and tangles while we enjoy using tools of color such as chalk pencils.

Led by Amy W.M. Kam, Certified Zentangle Teacher, the Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas.

Zentangle teaches us not to rush and to take good care of ourselves in the present moment — after all, the present moment is all there is.
- Cathy Malchiodi, Art Therapist

*Prerequisite: Must have completed an Exploring or Introduction to Zentangle Class

TOOLS NEEDED: Please bring your standard Zentangle supplies (Micron pen, pencil, tortillon).  Learn more at zentangle.com

View Dominican Center's Refund Policy.

To understand Jesus as the Forgiving Victim we will look at how humans are shaped by the desire of Others, and how God is neither violent nor in rivalry. We will come to understand this through a visit and journey to the Garden of Eden and the plucking of the "forbidden" fruit.  We will look to parables to transform our understanding of how the Victim always chooses forgiveness and nonviolence to transform our hearts and souls. Come with us to journey from Garden to Vineyard.

Silence the world around you. Silence the world within you. Silence the thoughts that shout out to you. In the stillness hear God’s voice. In the quiet sense the Divine’s presence and the spiritual love that is waiting to embrace you. Gently enter into silence during this retreat experience. A spiritual director will be here to companion with you on this summer silent retreat.

This retreat is held at the Augustine Center. The center is a retreat house welcoming individuals and groups for ongoing formation, education, and spirituality. The Augustine Center is located in Conway, Michigan, on the northern border of Petoskey.

$465: Includes spiritual direction, meals, and room. Space is limited. Financial scholarships are available. Call to request information.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy

Using a special pen-resistance technique, you will create seemingly invisible patterns that will stand out when you add color using special colored markers and water brushes. Final touches will include adding tangles and sparkle to your works of art.

Led by Amy W.M. Kam, Certified Zentangle Teacher, the Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas.

The Zentangle Method is an elegant metaphor and model for inspiring a deliberate artistry in life.
http://zentangle.com

*Prerequisite: Must have completed an Exploring or Introduction to Zentangle class.

TOOLS NEEDED: Please bring your standard Zentangle supplies (Micron pen, pencil, tortillon).

View Dominican Center's Refund Policy.

A Spiritual Director holds sacred the many stories heard in a one-on-one relationship or in a trusted group. The Spiritual Director Practicum is a formation program that focuses on how to be present enough to sense how the Holy Spirit is present in our life and in the lives of others. The Practicum is a two-year process filled with contemplative prayer, study, and practice of spiritual disciplines. Participants journey with each other and with Spiritual Giants who mentor them during the formation process. Participants are encouraged to find meaning in every moment, discover their true self, and make the deep connection with the One who loves us into life.

Details

• Cost: $2000/year, plus book fees
• Application process required
• Prerequisite: Foundations in Spirituality

Dates
Fridays, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

• September 6 and 20, 2019
• October 4 and 18, 2019
• November 1 and 15, 2019
• December 6 and 20, 2020
• January 10 and 24. 2020
• February 7 and 21, 2020
• March 6 and 20, 2020
• April 3 and 17, 2020
• May 1 and 15, 2020

For more information, please visit our Called to be a Spiritual Director page.

We all long and yearn for continual spiritual formation that deepens our faith. Spiritual Companioning deepens our sacred presence by examining how we listen to ourselves and others with our ears always attuned to the Spirit. Through study, writing, group sharing, process, and practice in contemplative listening, participants deepen the capacity to listen to self and others with a discerning mind and heart and without judgment. This spiritual formation experience cultivates an understanding of how to listen and recognize the holy within the context of our lives and in the context of personal transformation, cultural traditions, societal changes, and global concerns. We explore what it means to live in the presence of a loving God and to care and be in service to others with compassionate wisdom gained from Spiritual Companioning.

Dates
The Spiritual Companioning program meets Tuesdays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm

• September 10, 2019
• October 8, 2019
• November 12, 2019
• December 10, 2019
• January 14, 2020
• February 11, 2020
• March 10, 2020
• April 14, 2020
• May 12, 2020

Cost: $475/year, plus book fees

Prerequisite: Foundations in Spirituality or Foundations in Wisdom

For more information, please visit our Spiritual Companioning page.

A spiritual director holds sacred the many stories heard in a one-on-one relationship or in a trusted group. The Spiritual Director Practicum is a formation program that focuses on how to be present enough to sense how the Holy Spirit is present in our lives and in the lives of others. The practicum is a two-year process filled with contemplative prayer, study, and practice of spiritual disciplines. Participants journey with each other and with spiritual giants who mentor them during the formation process. Participants are encouraged to find meaning in every moment, discover their true self, and make the deep connection with the One who loves us into life.

Details

• Cost: $2000/year, plus book fees
• Application process required
• Prerequisite: Foundations in Spirituality

Dates
Fridays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, and Saturdays, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

• September 13-14
• October 4 – 5
• November 8 – 9
• December 6-7
• January 17-18
• February 14 -15
• March 13-14
• April 3 – 4
• May 8- 9

For more information, please visit our Called to be a Spiritual Director page.

Foundations in Spirituality is a serious reflective study that opens our minds and hearts to the teachings and life examples of the great Christian spiritual teachers that continue to deepen our present spiritual journey.

Christ will make His home in your heart as you trust in Him.
Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.
- Ephesians 3:17

Explore the rich preaching of St. Dominic; the unbreakable faith of St. Teresa of Avila; the deep spirituality of St. John of the Cross; the life-giving wisdom of the Beguines; the fortitude of John Calvin; the daily prayerful life of St. Ignatius; and the lives of many more that continue to enrich our own faith and spirituality.

The course introduces the practice of contemplative prayer and presence as basic to living a spiritual life. It is an experience that strengthens our own response to the longing in our hearts that seeks a deeper relationship with God.

The objectives of this course are to:

• Grow in understanding and appreciation of the diverse ways God has been present to and involved in the lives of the great spiritual teachers and guides throughout history
• Encourage awareness, commitment to, and integration of the spiritual journey in daily life through writing and living a personal rule of life
• Develop an understanding of contemplative attitudes and presence as basic to living a spiritual life
• Provide opportunity for an introductory study of writings from the spiritual classics for the purpose of reflection, discussion, and personal appropriation
• Foster respect for the diversity in past and present theology and spirituality.
• To present basic principles and tools for discernment that are useful for personal, prayerful decision making

Details

• Cost: $600, plus book fees
• A required book of readings will be available for purchase at Dominican Center
• Each session includes lunch

Dates
Saturdays, 9:30am - 4:30 pm

• September 21, 2019
• October 19, 2019
• November 16, 2019
• December 14, 2019
• January 25, 2020
• February 22, 2020
• March 21, 2020
• April 25, 2020
• May 16, 2020

Building on our connected, common humanity, Foundations in Wisdom offers the opportunity to explore spiritual practices, expand resources, and participate in shared experiences that renew one’s spiritual foundation, as well as the resolve to live in this world with compassion and to respond with contemplative service.

Martin Luther King knew that God and God alone gives us the interior resources to bear the burdens and tribulations of life, especially those that come as we fulfill our call to serve others and stand for what is right in this world. Had he not known how to move from action back into prayer - how to tap into a deeper Source than mere human activism - we would have lost him to fear and discouragement; the forces of evil would have prevailed, at least for a little while longer.
- Ruth Haley Barton, Author
MLK Jr. and the Soul of Leadership

All faith traditions and wisdom teachers are rooted in their commitment to social justice and to those living in the margins of society. The givens of our faith include being good stewards of the earth, empowering the vulnerable to live with dignity, and standing in equity with all peoples.

This spiritual formation experience guides participants toward a deeper understanding that will awaken and strengthen a commitment to justice.

• Companion with wisdom teachers who came before us - Dorothy Day, Howard Thurman, Monseñor Oscar Romero, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Teresa de Avila, St. Francis of Assisi.
• Companion with wisdom teachers still with us - Richard Rohr, Joan Chittister, Malala Yousafzai, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Margaret Benefiel, Thich Nhat Hanh, Pope Francis, Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, Pema Chödrön, Don Goergen, OP.
• Companion with prophetic wisdom yet to come.
• Journey near and far to witness and participate in the work of those making a difference in the lives of others.
• Develop resources for cultivating the practices of meditation and contemplation in today’s world.
• Share one’s story and have one’s story be heard through the art of holy listening and conversation.

Details

• Cost: $600, plus book fees
• For payment plan or scholarship information, pease email Margarita Solis-Deal, Dominican Center director
• Each session includes lunch

Dates
Saturdays, 9:30am - 4:30pm

• September 21, 2019
• October 19, 2019
• November 16, 2019
• December 14, 2019
• January 25, 2020
• February 22, 2020
• March 21, 2020
• April 25, 2020
• May 16, 2020

View Dominican Center's Refund Policy

FD: Spirituality

A once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the world-famous Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. The villagers of Oberammergau first performed the play in 1634 in fulfillment of their promise to God for sparing them from the Black Plague and it has been presented there every 10 years since then.

Cost: $4,479, includes round-trip airfare from Chicago, first class/select hotels, and most meals.

For more information on this pilgrimage or to register, view the brochure or contact Sr. Nancy Brousseau at email: nbrousseau@aol.com or phone: 616.560.4580.

FD: Evangelization