Join us in honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by this life-giving sacred action. Give the Gift of Life Blood on this day with Versiti Blood at Dominican Center at Marywood.

Call Dominican Center at Marywood to request a donation time: 616.514.3325.

I must admit to you there are still some difficult days ahead. We are still in for a season for suffering ... (But) I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because truth pressed to earth will rise again. How long? Not long, because no lie can live forever. How long? Not long, because you will reap what you sow. How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice. How long? Not long, because mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword. His truth is marching on…
~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Selma to Montgomery March for Voting Rights (March 25, 1965)

Ignatius of Loyola experienced and celebrated two gifts for the spiritual life: remembering and imagining. Let us study together the lessons of life, the wisdom gained, and “the joy to be shared by all the people” (Luke 2:10) as we remember, imagine, pray, and continue to live wholly with all of our being. Please read and reflect on Part I of the text for the first class.

Series Dates (Mondays)

• February 10, 2020
• March 9, 2020
• April 13, 2020
• May 11, 2020

Registration fee includes the program book: Moments to Remember, by Sister Carol Ann Smith, SHCJ, and Father Eugene F. Merz, SJ. Book available in the Dominican Center Bookstore.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy.

Join us for Deepening Spiritual Practices into the Local Church ~ A Conversation Podcast Series. These sessions are exploratory conversations with wisdom and spiritual leaders. Listen to how their ministry and work help translate contemplative spirituality into the practices of local church communities. These sessions are recorded to contribute to our podcast series.

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Sharon Garlough Brown is a spiritual director, speaker, and co-founder of Abiding Way Ministries, providing spiritual formation retreats and resources. She is the author of Shades of Light, the Shades of Light Study Guide, Remember Me, and the bestselling Sensible Shoes series, which includes the spiritual formation novels Sensible Shoes, Two Steps Forward, Barefoot, An Extra Mile, and their study guides.

A gifted pastor, teacher, writer, and leader, AJ Sherrill has more than 15 years of pastoral experience in diverse church settings across the nation. He is the author of Enneagram and the Way of Jesus, Quiet: Hearing God Amidst the Noise and Urban Disciple: Following Jesus through the Gospel of Matthew. He currently is the lead pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church.

Be with us as Josh Banner, spiritual director and creator and producer of The Invitation Podcast, facilitates this insightful dialog with Pastor AJ Sherrill and Sharon Garlough Brown. This conversation will offer us perspectives, challenge, and introspection.

$10 discount for pastors, religious vowed women, seminarians, and ministry leaders ~ use code PODCAST when checking out.

Listen to Dominican Center's first podcast with The Invitation and Ruth Haley Barton >

A collaboration between Dominican Center and The Invitation.

View Dominican Center's Refund Policy.

FD: Spirituality/Evangelization

Join Joshua Banner, spiritual director and creator of The Invitation podcast for Contemplative Prayer and Spiritual Practices in the Local Church Workshop. During this workshop, we will explore ...

... How can deeper spiritual practices fit into the local church?
... Should they support and nourish the church? How and to what extent?
... Where can pastors and lay leaders begin?

These sessions will be a large, ministry workshop where participants discern and begin to create new ministry initiatives in contemplative spirituality in their respective worshipping communities. We will consider applications such as Lectio Divina for small groups, small group contemplative listening, church day retreats, and more.

Series Dates:

• February 24, 2020
• March 23, 2020
• April 27, 2020

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy.

Building on our connected, common humanity, join us for the Holy Wisdom to Sacred Activism series of contemplative experiences. These programs invite us toward a deeper lived experience of justice and mercy by connecting with contemplative prayer, study, and listening. We will also look at expanding our understanding of sacred wisdom as it is found within us, within those of cross cultures, and within the narrative of human suffering. As we move closer to sacred wisdom, we begin to foster a more active presence, thereby advancing social justice both locally and globally. You can participate in individual experiences or participate in the full series.

HOLY WISDOM TO SACRED ACTIVISM

The common threads of many faith traditions include being good stewards of the Earth, empowering the vulnerable to live with dignity, and standing in integrity with all peoples. Explore how this shared sacred wisdom grounds us and motivates us to sacred activism.

Details

• Registration, coffee, and breakfast: 8:30 am
• Program begins: 9:00 am
• Cost: $45

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy.

This Lent, come and sit with Jesus at the Table of Plenty. He has prepared the feast and He longs to share the bread of His life and the cup of blessing with each one of us. Explore the experience of meals and food from His Jewish roots and read the parables of Jesus and the memory of the early Church about dining in the Kingdom. And we will remember the One Ritual that Jesus left us to remember Him forever: the Eucharist. Please bring your Bible with you to each session.

Series Dates

• March 4, 2020
• March 11, 2020
• March 18, 2020
• March 25, 2020

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy.

In this program, Faith and Racial Equity: Exploring Power and Privilege, awaken to the economic systems, public policies, cultural norms, and hidden biases that empower some and oppress others.

Sessions take a deep dive into specific issues related to power and privilege, including affirmative action, the school-to-prison pipeline, the criminal justice system, and powerful biases in media representation. Participants will explore how their faith may open new paths to learning and help with discernment of action steps for working toward racial equity in their own communities.

The Faith and Racial Equity module is designed for participants who are willing to wrestle with hard questions and take an honest look at their own attitudes, assumptions, and choices. Through spiritual grounding and community-building, participants will find support and belonging throughout their journey to personal transformation and social action.

The nature, place, and time of an immersion experience will be decided by the group.

Opening Retreat (9:00 am - 3:00 pm)

• March 7, 2020

Session Dates (6:00 - 8:30 pm)

• • March 12, 2020
  • March 19, 2020
  • March 26, 2020
  • April 2, 2020
  • April 9, 2020
  • April 16, 2020
  • April 23, 2020
  • April 30, 2020

Cost: $120 / $90 for faith leaders and those in diversity, inclusion, and equity work (use coupon code EQUITY at check out)

Cost includes, retreat, 8 sessions, immersion. a participant packet with prayers, reflections and readings  and the following books:
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo, 40 Days of Prayer For the Liberation of  American Descendants of Slavery by the Angela Project, and I'm Still Here by Austin Channing.

This program was created by JustFaith Ministries.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy.

If you are you hungry to explore new interpretations of familiar scriptural texts – interpretations that draw on women’s wisdom and a way of life that promotes equal dignity and value for women and men alike, don’t miss biblical scholar, author, and Grand Rapids Dominican Sister Barbara Reid, OP’s visit to Dominican Center at Marywood.

In the book of Proverbs, woman wisdom invites all to eat at her banquet, that is, to learn her wise ways and live well. Through the exploration of feminist approaches to select passages of Scripture, we will have a taste of transformative ways for living well.

Attention will be given not only to gender perspectives, but also to race, class, and culture as determinative factors in how one understands the biblical text. This program includes lecture and small and large group discussion.

Women are not alone in their efforts to build a more just society and church… A feminist… is a person who is committed to the humanity, dignity, and equality of all persons, to such an extent that she or he is willing to work for changes both in relationship patterns and in institutional structures to achieve this goal.
~ Barbara Reid, OP, PhD

Barbara E. Reid, OP, holds a PhD in Biblical Studies from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, a master's degree in Religious Studies, and a bachelor of arts degree from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI. Since 1988, Sister Reid has served on the faculty of the Catholic Theological Union. She has served as Vice President and Academic Dean and has been actively involved in the Association of Theological Schools, including service on its board of directors. Sister Reid is the author of many books and articles, and she served as general editor for the Wisdom Commentary Series, a 58-volume feminist commentary on the Bible, and is Past President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America.

On December 10, 2019, Barbara Reid, OP accepted an honorary doctorate from the University of Graz in Austria. During her acceptance speech, Sister Reid remarked, "I am overwhelmed and humbled by the honor that you award me tonight and I thank you most sincerely for your recognition of the advances that have been made in feminist and gender studies in the past 25 years. It is an honor to celebrate with you the 25th anniversary of the establishment of women's and gender studies here in the Catholic Theological Faculty at the University of Graz."

At right, Sister Reid is pictured with Dr. Christoph Heil, Dean of the Theological Faculty at the University of Graz, Professor Irmtraud Fischer, Prof of Old Testament, who proposed the honorary doctorate and who is author of the forthcoming volume on Genesis in Wisdom Commentary series, and Dr. Pablo Argarate, Vice Dean.

Details

• Registration: 8:30 am
• Program: 9:00 am - Noon
• Cost: $35 / $25 for Dominican Associates (use coupon code WOMEN when checking out)
• Cost includes continental breakfast

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 on this silent retreat.

This retreat is held at the Augustine Center Retreat House. 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.

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

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy

FD: Spirituality

In this program, Transformation in Times of Uncertainty, we will look at how our time and place in history bring us face to face with profound societal impasse. Sister Nancy Sylvester, IHM, suggests that the very act of acknowledging the transformation necessary to live differently invites us to embrace a new consciousness – a consciousness rooted in contemplation and dialogue. Join others in exploring the time in which we live, as together, we practice listening and speaking from a contemplative heart and inviting new conversations and connections.

We can find no escape from the world we’ve built…

Sister Nancy is founder and director of the Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue (ICCD) in Monroe, Michigan. Established in 2002, the ICCD was based on the belief that the crises we experience today need to be addressed at a new level of consciousness and that contemplation invites us to that transformation.

Nancy Sylvester's message resonates with social justice activists, educators, spiritual directors, leaders of religious congregations—people committed to working for systemic change.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy.

Cost includes continental breakfast and lunch.

In the 9-session Illuminating Social Justice Through Photography program, participants will use the medium of photography to explore issues surrounding social justice, with each participant ultimately creating a set of photographs that will communicate the importance and impact of social justice to the observer of their images. The participants’ photos will be exhibited as a group within Dominican Center.

People from all faith traditions are welcome and encouraged to attend. Likewise, any type of camera can be used for the course – digital SLR, point-and-shoot, cell phone camera, or polaroid – all are welcome. While there are no specific technical prerequisites to the program, photography fundamentals and basic camera use will not be covered. Therefore, a working knowledge of one’s camera is recommended.

Segment 1 - Focus: Photography Editing

During this first segment, participants will choose an issue related to social justice and begin considering approaching the issue photographically. We will also address the technical topics of editing images using Adobe Lightroom, printing edited images using online photo lab services, and mounting and framing the final prints for gallery exhibition.

Series Dates:

• April 7, 2020
• April 14, 2020
• April 21, 2020
• April 28, 2020

Segment 2 - Illuminating: Social Justice Through Photography

The second segment addresses the challenge of communicating social justice through the art of photography. Participants will share their perspectives as well as share with one another their knowledge and commitment to advancing justice.  We will explore how to create and present photographic images that effectively convey the artist’s vision to the observer.

Series Dates:

• May 19, 2020
• June 2, 2020
• June 16, 2020
• June 30, 2020
• July 14, 2020

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.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy.

FD: Spirituality

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

2020 REST IN HOPE INSPIRATION:  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.

Cost: $75 / $65 for those who work in helping professions ~use code HOPE when checking out.

Review Dominican Center's Refund Policy

FD: Spirituality

Building on our connected, common humanity, join us for the Holy Wisdom to Sacred Activism series of contemplative experiences. These programs invite us toward a deeper lived experience of justice and mercy by connecting with contemplative prayer, study, and listening. We will also look at expanding our understanding of sacred wisdom as it is found within us, within those of cross cultures, and within the narrative of human suffering. As we move closer to sacred wisdom, we begin to foster a more active presence, thereby advancing social justice both locally and globally. You are invited to participate in one experience or the entire series.

Healing Suffering Through Intentional Presence

We will gently explore our own hurts and scars arising from the work of being in service to others. It can be challenging to heal as we work on behalf of those with marginalized voices. Discover a path to sustain passion and drive for justice. Revive the ability to uncover creative solutions. Regain the capacity to walk courageously, hopefully, and effectively.

Details

• Registration, coffee, and breakfast: 8:30 am
• Program begins: 9:00 am
• Cost: $45.00

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.

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy.

FD: Spirituality

What can life look and feel like when you commit to Reclaiming your Original Goodness?

You were created in the image of the Divine, a temple of Sacred Wisdom, graced to live with an opening mind.
This is FAITH.

You were created in the image of the Son, a sanctuary of Sacred Love, graced to live with an opening heart.
This is LOVE.

You were created in the image of the Spirit, an instrument of Sacred Instinct, graced to live with an opening will.
This is HOPE.

Join others in awakening your curiosity, accessing your compassion, and igniting your commitment for the benefit of all.

• Registration: 8:30 am
• Program: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

View Dominican Center's Refund Policy.

FD: Spirituality

They were called to serve and offer kindness and hope at a half-way warehouse in El Paso, Texas. These four Sisters traveled to accompany women, men, and children fleeing oppression and danger in their homelands. Hear their experiences first hand, as they guide us through a morning of contemplation that compels us to action.

Is it near or far? they ask about the places they will go in the United States. Most have little context for understanding this strange new country and yet they push on humbly and courageously.
~ Joyce Ann Hertzig, OP

Sister Chela Gonzalez, OP will talk of Courage; Sister Joyce Anne Hertzig, OP will speak on Living in the Now Moment; Sister Mary Kay Ooszdyke, OP will share her insight on Solidarity; and Sister Janet Brown, OP will reflect on Gratitude. Come listen to these women from the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids who have dedicated their lives to the service of others.

Details

• Cost includes continental breakfast
• Registration and coffee: 8:30 am
• Program begins : 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

This program, originally scheduled for June 7, has been moved to June 20.

Based on her book Going Naked: The Camino de Santiago & Life as Pilgrimage, Author Teresa Mateus will facilitate a retreat morning exploring the themes of the Camino path and how these same sacred rituals can illuminate the pilgrim's path of the everyday. Activities engage the creative mind through shared art and storytelling practices, and breath and movement practices.

The space will be open to explore themes of grief, loss and emotional pain as well as healing, joy and celebration as they show up in each of our stories. Explore what we need to let go of along the journey of life and the pilgrimage into the soul - so that we can find the vulnerability found in our own "going naked" and sacred release to be able to travel the path into ourselves and our truth more fully and deeply.

Teresa Mateus LCSW, E-RYT 200, is a trauma therapist, meditation and integrative healing practitioner, professor of social work, author, and speaker on issues of spirituality, activism, and healing. She is the co-founder and executive director of The Mystic Soul Project and co-creator of Trauma Response and Crisis Care for Movements (TRACC).

Teresa is a fellow with Spiritual Direction International (SDI). Each year SDI, recognizes fellows who are experienced, mature spiritual companions - contemplatives who are inspired to grow SDI’s global movement.

Details

• Cost: $65 / $45 for students (use coupon code MINDSET when checking out)
• Includes continental breakfast and lunch
• Registration: 8:30 am
• Program: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

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 on this summer silent retreat.

This retreat is held at the Augustine Center Retreat House. 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.

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

View Dominican Center’s Refund Policy

FD: Spirituality

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 our Spiritual Companioning page.