As we move through together in this mysterious challenging journey, Dominican Center would like to stay in presence. We hope by offering these experiences you will find pearls of strength, calm, and peace. Be well and may God's wisdom guide you and God's love embrace you.

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While the Rest in Hope Retreat, featuring Shannon Cohen as the retreat's keynote speaker, was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis, Dominican Center is honored to share Shannon Cohen's Tough Skin Soft Heart podcast.

Among Shannon's many topics you'll find a podcast on nurturing emotional wellbeing in times of crisis, an issue particularly relevant during this time of pandemic. Tune in to Shannon for inspiration and to breathe, release, and recharge. Download the Tough Skin Soft Heart Podcast from the App Store or Google Play.

About Shannon Cohen

Every difference maker has two sides. There’s the tough outer shell, the leader seen and experienced from the outside. Then there’s the softer inside, the one who takes on the world one day and second-guesses her every decision the next. Shannon’s infectious style speaks to both sides—connecting both in a powerful, purpose-driven way. Her approach is rooted in something deeper than intuition; it is rooted in intelligence—and applying proven methods in a relatable, human-centered manner.

Learn more about Shannon Cohen at her website

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 to share with the Dominican Center community your prayer in action and to feed our souls with that which feeds yours.

Here are some ways you may be finding light …

• Do you carry an image or mantra in your heart? How does that guide you throughout the day?
• Have you picked up your watercolors? What sparks your creativity?
• Are acts of service the way in which you pray?
• Will you create a pot of soup from ingredients in the back of your cupboard?  Share with us your new found love for home cooked meals.
• Did you FaceTime with your old college roommate last night and laugh so hard your sides still hurt today? How are you staying connected to your loved ones?
• Did you tip you face to the sun and take the spring air deep into your lungs because you can? What outdoor activities are you enjoying in the comfort of your back yard?
• Are you writing gratitude lists on the backs of envelopes? Who and What are you grateful for during this time?

We invite you to send to us how it is you pray your way through the days so you can stay in the light and in hope.

Please send your writings, photos, and related attachments to yramirez@dominicancenter.com

Read entries on our blog by clicking here

Dominican Center invites you to join us from your own sacred space to explore what staying in the light means to you during these days of shelter-in-place. Be in community with Dominican Center and others each Monday morning to quiet the world without and within. Begin the week cultivating light and renewing body, mind, and spirit.

Gatherings Held Via Zoom
By using the link below, you will enter the Dominican Center Zoom waiting space. No registration required.
Participants will be greeted around 10:25 am. Come early and please feel free to invite a friend or family member to join.

Be Still and Stay in the Light Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98197085406

June 1: Stay in the Light ~ Attention is the Beginning of Devotion 
With Esther Yff-Prins, Spiritual Director

“To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work . . . Attention is the beginning of devotion,” the insightful and beloved poet, Mary Oliver, wrote.

Mary Oliver's observation and love for the natural world speak to us in profound ways, if we are still enough to listen. With Esther Yff-Prins, spiritual director, as our guide we will sit with the poems of Mary Oliver and explore what the rhythms of her poetry reveal to us during this pandemic.

Mary Oliver (1935-2019) won the National Book Award and Pultizer Prize for her poetry. Influenced by both Whitman and Throreau, she is known for her clear and poignant observances of the natural world. Her poetry combines dark introspection with joyous release. She found that the self is only strengthened through an immersion with nature. Oliver is also known for her unadorned language and accessible themes. The Harvard Review describes Ms. Oliver as "... a poet of wisdom and generosity whose vision allows us to look intimately at a world not of our making." (Excerpted from Wikipedia.)

SUPPORT DOMINICAN CENTER AT MARYWOOD

Dominican Center continues to hold space for contemplative experiences through the support of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids.  If you find yourself in a position to support the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids with a donation, please do so here. Thank you for your generosity.

NEW TO ZOOM?

• View this short video tutorial on how to use Zoom
• If you experience problems with Zoom, please email us at dcmreceptionists@dominicancenter.com

PREVIOUS BE STILL AND STAY AND THE LIGHT GATHERINGS

• May 25: Stay in the Light on Memorial Day ~ The Great Cloud of Witnesses, with Sister Diane Zerfas, OP, Center for Spirituality Coordinator
• May 18:  Living in the Light of Our Original Blessing: Lorilyn Wiering, SoulCare Sanctuaries
• May 11: The Gift of Tears ~ Stay in the Light with St. Catherine of Siena with Cindy Warner, Dominican Center Intern from Aquinas College and Sister Diane Zerfas, OP, Center for Spirituality Coordinator
• May 4: Write Your Heart Out ~ Stay in the Light with Sandra Mitchell, Writer and Coach
• April 27: Prayer for Those in Service to Others with Sister Diane Zerfas, OP, Center for Spirituality Coordinator

As we move through together in this mysterious challenging journey, Dominican Center would like to stay in presence. We hope by offering these experiences you will find pearls of strength, calm, and peace. Be well and may God's wisdom guide you and God's love embrace you.

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While the Reclaiming Original Goodness retreat featuring Lorilyn Wiering was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis, Dominican Center is honored to share Lorilyn’s  Reclaiming Connection: A 40-Day Journey to Deeper Connection with Yourself, Others, and the Divine.

Reclaiming Connectionis 40 daily meditations sent to your inbox. Following an invitation to connect with body and breath, each meditation takes 10 to 20 minutes to read. You will be invited to perspectives and practices that will feed your soul what it craves: nourishment and freedom to show up with clarity, compassion, and commitment.  Reclaiming Connection helps you re-enter your day with new ways of seeing, encouragement for living, and questions to gently ponder.

While this resource, delivered to your inbox daily for 40 days, didn’t anticipate our current crisis, participants worldwide have commented on its prescient timeliness. Written with the intimacy of a good friend, and the sturdiness of a reliable guide, these daily readings will deepen your connection to yourself, others, and the Divine. And it’s connection that sparks joy! You can learn more about this course and purchase it for $39 at soulcaresanctuaries.com.

Centering Prayer is a modernized prayer method based on the intuitive prayer rooted in Lectio Divina. It is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience the Divine’s immanent presence with us. Centering Prayer is grounded in relationship with God, through Christ, and is a practice to nurture that relationship.

Centering Prayer complements and supports other modes of prayer — verbal, mental, or affective prayer — and facilitates resting in the Divine Presence. Centering Prayer offers a way to grow in intimacy with God, moving beyond conversation to communion.

As Thomas Keating emphasizes, the source of Centering Prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the Indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. The effects of Centering Prayer are ecclesial, as the prayer tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love. (source: https://gravitycenter.com/practice/centering-prayer/)

Gatherings Held Via Zoom
By using the link below, you will enter the Dominican Center Zoom waiting space. No registration required.
Participants will be greeted around 11:50 am. Come early and please feel free to invite a friend or family member to join.

Centering Prayer link : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82042706178

NEW TO ZOOM?

• View this short video tutorial on how to use Zoom
• If you experience problems with Zoom, please email us at dcmreceptionists@dominicancenter.com

As we move through together in this mysterious challenging journey, Dominican Center would like to stay in presence. We hope by offering these experiences you will find pearls of strength, calm, and peace. Be well and may God's wisdom guide you and God's love embrace you.

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Susan Duesbery, a Dominican Center presenter and intuitive counselor, spiritual coach, and energy therapist, recently recorded a series of guided meditations you may find helpful in soothing and easing the stress and anxiety of your day-to-day life during these unsettling times.

Among Susan's offerings are:

• Release, Relax, Renew
• Befriending Your Inner Child
• Inner Wisdom Meditation
• Meditation for Wholeness
• Letting Go at the Beach
• Rainforest Release
• Yoga Nidra

Meditations are available for free on Susan's website

Read Susan's recent blog post, Spiritual Bypassing in the Time of COVID-19

For more than 30 years, Catholic Theological Union Bible faculty have lead Biblical Study and Travel Programs. This year’s program will be guided by Sr. Barbara Reid, OP, Professor of New Testament Studies, and Fr. Leslie Hoppe, OFM, Professor of Old Testament Studies.

This retreat experience  is for those who wish to reflect on the Scriptures while viewing the biblical landscape. With the guidance of Fr. Leslie Hoppe, OFM and Sr. Barbara Reid, OP participants will learn about the biblical significance of the site as well as its history and archaeology. There will be common prayer each day, including Eucharistic liturgies at many of the sites, and times of quiet reflection.

Both Sister Barbara and Father Leslie have excellent knowledge of the Scriptures that have been their lives’ work, and also many years of experience in guiding groups throughout Israel. As a retreat, this trip will visit the holy sites around Israel and reflect and pray with the stories of those sites.

Trip applications must be completed online by February 28, 2020.

Flyer and Schedule

Application

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 filled with contemplative spiritual practices, prayer study, and shared reflection
... strengthens our ability to stay present
... attunes our listening to sense how the Holy Spirit is present in our lives and in the lives of others
... looks to Spiritual Giants to mentor participants during the formation process
...reminds that the ultimate healer holds up director and directee in all ways

Using an Ignatian spiritual framework, you are encouraged to find meaning in every moment. You are given space to deepen your relationship with God - the God who loves us into life. Through the process, move closer to uncovering your authentic self that guides the discernment of your calling.

Details

• Cost: $2,000/year, plus book fees
• Application process required
• Prerequisite: Foundations in Spirituality

Dates

• September 11-12, 2020
• October 9-10, 2020
• November 13-14, 2020
• December 4-5, 2020
• January 15-16, 2021
• February 12-13, 2021
• March 12-13, 2021
• April 16-17, 2021
• May 14-15, 2021

For more information, please visit our Called to be a Spiritual Director 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 filled with contemplative spiritual practices, prayer study, and shared reflection
... strengthens our ability to stay present
... attunes our listening to sense how the Holy Spirit is present in our lives and in the lives of others
... looks to Spiritual Giants to mentor participants during the formation process
...reminds that the ultimate healer holds up director and directee in all ways

Using an Ignatian spiritual framework, you are encouraged to find meaning in every moment. You are given space to deepen your relationship with God - the God who loves us into life. Through the process, move closer to uncovering your authentic self that guides the discernment of your calling.

Details

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

Dates

• September 11 and 25, 2020
• October 2 and 16, 2020
• November 6 and 20, 2020
• December 4 and 18, 2020
• January 8 and 22, 2021
• February 5 and 19, 2021
• March 5 and 19, 2021
• April 9 and 23, 2021
• May 7 and 21, 2021

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

Explore what it means to live in the presence of a loving God so you can see and hear the presence of God as you companion with others.

Do you feel a longing to deepen your faith? Continual spiritual formation expands our hearts and deepens our path to living more spiritually in this world. Spiritual Companioning deepens our sacred presence by examining how we listen to ourselves and others with our ears always attuned to the Spirit, compassionate and loving. Through this 9-month study, experience, learn processes and practices in contemplative listening, writing, and group sharing,

Are you ready to deepen your capacity to be present to yourself and to others with a discerning mind and heart? Are you ready to discover true peace as you learn to listen 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. 

Dates
The Spiritual Companioning program meets Tuesdays, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

• September 15, 2020
• October 13, 2020
• November 10, 2020
• December 15, 2020
• January 12, 2021
• February 9, 2021
• March 9, 2021
• April 13, 2021
• May 11, 2021

Cost: $475/year, plus book fees

Prerequisite: Foundations in Spirituality

For more information, please visit Spiritual Companioning.

Catechist Certification
Many programs offered at Dominican Center may be taken for credit toward Catechist Certification for the Diocese of Grand Rapids. These programs have been assigned a Content Formation Dimension (CFD)  After attending the class in person, watching it live or as a video on demand, go to the Catechist Certification Credit Form.  Fill out the form and answer the reflection questions. The completed form needs to be printed and submitted to your parish Religious Education Director in your parish.

CFD:  Spirituality/Theology

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 who continue to enrich our own faith and spirituality.

The course introduces the practice of contemplative prayer as grounding practices for living a richer spiritual life. Respond to the yearning in your heart for a deeper relationship with God by returning to the Foundations in Spirituality.

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 the Dominican Center Bookstore
• Each session includes continental breakfast and lunch

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

• September 19, 2020
• October 24, 2020
• November 21, 2020
• December 12, 2020
• January 23, 2021
• February 20, 2021
• March 20, 2021
• April 24, 2021
• May 22, 2021