Dr. Ruth Haley Barton ministers to the soul care needs of pastors and leaders based on her conviction that the best thing we bring to leadership is our own transforming selves. Dr. Barton is the founding president and CEO of the Transforming Center. As a retreat leader, spiritual director, and author, she inspired others for more than 20 years.

Spiritual transformation is central to the message of the gospel and therefore central to the mission of the church.
― Ruth Haley Barton
Life Together in Christ, Experience Transformation in Community

Join us as Josh Banner, spiritual director and creator of The Invitation, moderates a conversation with Dr. Ruth Haley Barton. This conversation will be recorded, produced, and published online by The Invitation as a podcast so that others around the world can benefit from formation resources at Dominican Center.

This is a wonderful faith team retreat opportunity.

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FD: Spirituality

Human trafficking touches all our lives - and it exists right here in West Michigan. In fact, men, women, and children in the United States and throughout the world are exploited in what is recognized as one of the greatest human rights tragedies of our time. Who are they? Children and teenagers lured from online chat rooms and groomed by teams of people who misidentify as friends and mentors. Adults misled into migrating to the United States in search of better lives, who are then enslaved and forced to work for little or no pay. Others are forced into drug addiction and prostitution.

Being aware of human trafficking is our best defense. Come ready to learn how the human trafficking machine is hiding in plain sight – and what you can do to be aware – and how faith and compassion can guide our response to those who are victimized.

Program in collaboration with the Human Trafficking Committee of the Dominican Sisters

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FD: Spirituality

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 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

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Rooted in Jesus’ radical teachings of nonviolence, this 8-week program takes participants through explorations from self-focused nonviolence to what nonviolence can look like on a national or global scale.  Our faith call us to respond to being peace for this world.  Our faith calls us to move from indifference to action.  Take a list to Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr as he calls us to do our part.  

The program will guide us in understanding nonviolence both on a local level and global.  Through prayer, mind- and heart-opening readings and videos, spiritual exercises, dialogue, and invitations to action, participants will have a clearer understanding of how their involvement to a more peaceful world makes a difference.  And how faith strengthens us in our resolve to do so.  

Cost: $80
Student Rate: $40
Cost includes book and immersion experience

Program Dates:

• March 4, 2019
• March 11, 2019
• March 18, 2019
• March 25, 2019
• April 1, 2019
• April 8, 2019
• April 15, 2019
• April 22, 2019

Program developed by JustFaith Ministries

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FD: Evangelization

With Bishop Oswaldo Escobar Aguilar, ocd, from Chalatenango, El Salvador

How has Saint Oscar Romero's legacy continued to inspire and challenge others committed to a life of nonviolence and who seek to follow Christ today?

One man whose heart was moved by Romero's passion and courage to speak truth to power is Bishop Oswaldo Escobar Aguliar, OCD, of Chalatenango El Salvador. Born and raised in El Salvador, Bishop Oswaldo Escobar Aguilar entered the Order of Discalced Carmelites and made his solemn profession in December 1995. He continued his advanced studies in philosophy and theology at leading halls of academia in South America, Spain, and Rome. He served in formation and parish leadership roles throughout Latin America and in 2016 Pope Francis appointed Fray Escobar as the new Bishop of Chalatenango. Join us as Bishop Oswaldo reflects on the life of Saint Oscar Romero and how he continues to be a sign of hope and peace to us all.

Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero, a servant of peace, served three short years as Archbishop of San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador in Central America. As a shepherd to the people, he was an outspoken advocate against violence and systemic injustice and for the rights of the most oppressed. The people grieved deeply when he was assassinated on March 24, 1980.

Let us not tire of preaching love.
- Saint Oscar Romero

This star of peace and voice of truth was gone too soon. And yet, his teachings and beliefs in nonviolence continue to be a beacon for the good today. His presence and example have influenced political, social, and faith thought leaders around the world. The canonization of Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero provides us

Registration: 8:30am
The Life of Saint Oscar Romero: 9:00am

Presentation will be in Spanish with interpretation in English.

FD: Spirituality

Con Obispo Oswaldo Escobar Aguilar, ocd, desde Chalatenango, El Salvador
Un hombre cuyo corazón fue despertado por la pasión ye el coraje de San Oscar Romeo para hablar la verdad al poder is el Obispo Oswaldo Escobar Aguilar, ocd, de Chalentango, El Salavador. Nacido y criado en El Salvador, el Obispo Oswaldo Escobar Aguilar entró en la orden de los Carmelitas Descalzos e hizo su profesión solemne en diciembre de 1995.  Continuó sus estudios avanzados en filosofía y teología en las principales salas de la academia en Roma, España y Latinoamérica.  Sirvió en roles de formacion y liderazgo parroquial en Costa Rica, Honduras, y Guatemala y en 2016 el Papa Francisco nombró a Fray Escobar como el nuevo obispo de Chalatenango.  Únase a nosotros mientras el Obispo Oswald reflexiona sobre la vida de San Oscar Romero y cómo sigue siendo un signo de la esperanza y paz para todos nosotros.

Oscar Arnulfo Romero, siervo de paz, sirvió tres años como Arzobispo de San Salvador, capital de El Salvador en Centroamérica. Como pastor de la gente era un defensor abierto contra la violencia y la injusticia sistémica y por los derechos de los más oprimidos. El pueblo se afligió profundamente cuando fue asesinado el 24 de marzo de 1980. Esta estrella de la paz y la voz de la verdad se había ido demasiado
pronto. Y sin embargo, sus enseñanzas y creencias en la no violencia continúan siendo un faro para el bien de hoy. Su presencia y ejemplo han influido a los líderes políticos, sociales y religiosos de todo el mundo. La canonización de San Oscar Arnulfo Romero nos proporciona un ejemplo sagrado de alguien que verdaderamente amó al prójimo y a Dios.

El Programa será en español con interpretación

Registración: 8:30am
El Programa empieza a las: 9:00 am

El Programa será en español/castellano con interpretación en inglés.

Rest in Hope is an afternoon retreat of peace and reflection. Responding to the sacred call to care of loved ones, neighbors, and community often pulls away from our own self-care. This retreat is specifically designed for those in service of others yearning to renew mind, body, and spirit. Come and rest in a place of hope and rejuvenation so that you can be hope to those you serve.  The afternoon includes a nutritious lunch, an insightful message from an inspirational leader and retreat workshops to rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit.

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FD: Spirituality

Transformed People, Transformed Church, Transformed World is a program led by Jack Jezreel, founder of JustFaith Ministries. At the core of gospel teaching is an invitation to personal transformation. It is a heart journey that the Gospel preaches, an invitation to open our hearts to the hearts of others, to recognize their kinship and to respond to each other’s needs with heartfelt compassion, generosity, and care. How do we venture into this place of active love of all – especially those who have been exploited, impoverished, and abandoned?

If you want peace, work for justice. - Pope Paul  VI

We welcome Jack Jezreel, creator of JustFaith Ministries and author of a New Way to Be Church, with his powerful testimony and vision of realizing God’s healing presence in the world.

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FD: Spirituality

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.

FD: Spirituality

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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 (includes vegetarian meal)

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FD: Evangelization