Called to be a Spiritual Director ~ Year 1 Practicum 2024 - 2025

Featured Programs

Date(s):: Friday 09/13/2024 - Saturday 05/10/2025
Time(s):: 9:00am - 3:30pm EST
Price:: $2,500.00

Spiritual Director Practicum

Spiritual Director training at Dominican Center is a three-year education and formation intensive -- beginning with Foundations in Spirituality and leading to Practicum I and II -- designed to attune you to the movement of the Holy Spirit and prayerful response.

A Spiritual Director holds sacred the many stories heard in a one-on-one relationship or in a trusted group.

The Spiritual Director Year 1 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.

Spiritual Director Practicum Admission Process

Successful completion of the Foundations in Spirituality course.
Complete Application forms. Your completed application and required personal recommendations will be reviewed by Dominican Center's Spiritual Formation Team. You can drop off completed documents at Dominican Center Marywood. Or submit your applications by mail (see postal address below) or email as attachments to programs@dominicancenter.com
Please submit the $25 application fee by credit card online by clicking the link below or the Register button on this page. Payments by check can be dropped off or mailed to: Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College, 1700 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506-1799
An interview with the Spiritual Formation Team to discern readiness to participate in the Spiritual Director Practicum. Make check out to Dominican Center Marywood.
An acceptance offer to the applicant.

Submit fee to begin the application process.

Pay application fee

Please, do not register or submit payment for this course without approval from Dominican Center Marywood.

Questions and Information

If you have questions or need more information on how to become a Spiritual Director, please contact: programs@dominicancenter.com or call 616.514.3325.

Dates

The 2024-2025 Spiritual Director Practicum Year 1 program meets on Fridays, 6:30pm - 9pm on Zoom and 9:00am - 3:30pm in person at the Dominican Center.

September 13 & 14, 2024
October 11 & 12
November 8 & 9
December 13 & 14
January 10 & 11, 2025
February 14 & 15
March 14 & 15
April 4 & 5
May 9 & 10

See More Details Below

Spiritual Director Practicum Facilitators

Diane Zerfas, OP

Spirituality Program Coordinator

Diane Zerfas, OP, is Dominican Center’s spirituality program coordinator. She is deeply involved in the center’s spiritual formation programs through the planning and teaching of Foundations in Spirituality and the Spiritual Direction Practicum. She holds bachelor’s degrees in math, chemistry, theology, and education from Aquinas College; master’s degrees in Arts in Religious Studies and in Pastoral Studies; a Specialized Certificate in Parish Life and Administration; and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. Sister Diane has ministered in many ways, including teaching high school as well as serving as formation director for Grand Rapids Dominicans, initiation and evangelization director at St. Mary Magdalen in Kentwood, Diocesan director of RCIA for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, co-director of Pastoral Life at Marywood, and leadership team member for the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids.

Anna Bonnema

Spiritual Director, DCM Apprentice, Co-Facilitator

Anna Bonnema is an open-armed Catholic. She is a lover of words and of nature, and is fueled by tea, lattes, and dog snuggles. Anna is wife to a man with a contagious laugh and mom to amazing teenage triplets. She teaches part time at Hope College — including a class by the name The Art of Listening — and runs a peer mentoring program for students who are traditionally underrepresented in the STEM fields. Anna is a spiritual director, and loves the practice of listening well. You can read Anna’s writing on the Live Today Well blog.

Details

Tuition, Fees + Prerequisite

Tuition: $2,500
Application fee of $25 is required.
Prerequisite: Foundations in Spirituality
Tuition includes instruction and facilitation by the Dominican Center Formation Team, individual mentoring sessions with a seasoned Spiritual Director, and materials provided before each session.
Fees do not cover the cost of required textbooks
Financial scholarships are available – call 616-514-3325 or email programs@dominicancenter.com to request information.

Formation Intensive Held In-person

Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College, 1700 Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506

Located on Aquinas College Campus, find a map here

More Information

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

Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, gives credit hours to participants completing the Spiritual Director Program at Dominican Center at Marywood. The Graduate Theological Foundation in Sarasota, FL. , also accepts credits from Dominican Center’s Spiritual Director Program.