Friday, November 21, 2025, 6pm-8:30pm and
Saturday, November 22, 2025, 9am-4:30pm
Cost: $145
Mandalas (circles) have offered increased wholeness, healing and creative expression to spiritual seekers across time, space and tradition. Come explore simple-pattern and intuitive Mandala-making as part of contemplative practices that nurture spiritual listening and imagination, sustain prayer and awaken awareness of the Divine’s dynamic presence in life stories. Together, we will foster increased well-being through sacred rhythms of centering and sharing. The retreat includes materials and strategies for Mandala-making, personal experience stories, snacks and Saturday’s lunch. Participants from last year will find new experiences and Mandala-making possibilities. You are welcome just as you are – with or without art or Mandala experience.
“Be. Here. This moment. Now is all there is. Discover the sacred in your artist’s tools; they are the vessels of the altar of your own unfolding… See the blank page, awaiting your blessing… Lose track of all time. This too is prayer. Listen for the words that rise up: Awaken. Envision. Sing, Alleluia… Watch as word and image dance together. Luminous. Illuminated. This is your sacred text. This is where God’s words are spoken, sometimes in whispers, sometimes in shouts. Be there to catch them as they pass over those sacred lips, tumbling so generously into your open arms. – Christine Valters Paintner
Facilitators
Debra Paxton-Buursma
Facilitator, Spiritual Director
Debra dwells within the wonder of God’s cosmos by tending contemplative practices in nature, the Word, creative artistic expression and the dusty stuff of life. As a Spiritual Director certified by the Dominican Center, Debra companions with individuals and groups, designs and leads retreats, and consults through her spirituality practice, Pax Luminaria (Peace & Light). Debra can be found with her head in clouds, conversations, poetic expression, journaling and books; her feet heading to woods, water and harvest; and her heart unfolding with other souls on her path. Debra’s wide spiritual embrace trusts that everyone belongs with inherent dignity, desires to be known and loved, and offers capacity for transformative change within and in community. Formerly an education professor with a doctorate from Michigan State University, Debra’s teaching, research and vision for sacred presence in illuminating possibilities through diverse inclusive and creative communities informs her collaborative adventures.
Yoli Vega
Facilitator, Certified Zentangle Instructor
As a lifelong learner and teacher at heart, Yoli welcomes spiritual and creative practices that nurture a deeper relationship with the One who first modeled creating and resting. She is nourished by the big and small moments that invite gratitude, pausing, and slowing down. Practicing Zentangle, a calming drawing method that involves patterns, is among her favorite contemplative practices. Having experienced its benefits, particularly during some of life’s hardest moments, she now eagerly shares it with others through classes and workshops in hopes that they, too, will discover the artist within. Yoli sparks joy, creating spaces through PAZ for others to Pause and Zentangle (PAZ is Spanish for “peace”). For Yoli, books, journals, art supplies, and coffee offer daily, sacred retreat experiences for which she is grateful. She lives in Holland, Michigan, is a Certified Zentangle Teacher, and is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree through Western Theological Seminary.
Details
Meal Information
Friday November 21 at 6:00pm – 8:30pm
We will have snacks Friday evening.
Saturday November 22 at 9am – 4:30pm
A continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch are included on Saturday.
If you have dietary needs, let us know on the registration form or by calling 616-514-3325 or emailing us at programs@dominicancenter.com
Location
The retreat will be held at the Dominican Center Marywood.
We are on Aquinas College’s campus, right off Fulton Street.
1700 Fulton St. E, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Lodging Suggestions
Participants coming from out of town may want to consider lodging in Grand Rapids near Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College. Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts can be found nearby.
Register
Financial Assistance
Scholarships are available.
We do not want the cost of our program to prohibit you from attending, so please download this scholarship application form and return it to us at programs@dominicancenter.com. Register only AFTER you have received instructions from us how to do so with a scholarship.
