Called to be a Spiritual Director
Year 1 Practicum
Registration for 2026-27 is now open!
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 this course, Practicum I, and then Practicum II — designed to attune you to the movement of the Holy Spirit and prayerful response.
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.
Details
Dates
The 2026-2027 Spiritual Director Practicum Year 1 program meets each month one Friday evening 6:30 – 9pm and Saturday day 9:00am – 3:30pm in person at the Dominican Center.
- September 11 & 12, 2026
- October 9 & 10
- November 13 & 14
- December 11 & 12
- January 15 & 16, 2027
- February 12 & 13
- March 12 & 13
- April 16 & 17
- May 14 & 15
Tuition, Fees + Prerequisite
- Application fee of $25 is required.
- Prerequisite: Foundations in Spirituality
- Tuition is $2550. Scholarships and payment plans are available. Please download this form and submit it with your application if you wish to apply for them.
- Tuition includes instruction and facilitation by the Dominican Center Formation Team, individual mentoring sessions with a seasoned Spiritual Director, and handouts provided before each session.
- Tuition does not cover the cost of required textbooks.
- Email programs@dominicancenter.com with any questions.
- Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, gives credit hours to participants completing the Spiritual Director Program at the Dominican Center at Marywood. The Graduate Theological Foundation in Sarasota, FL., also accepts credits from the Dominican Center’s Spiritual Director Program.
Spiritual Director Practicum Admission Process
- Successful completion of the Foundations in Spirituality course.
- Pay $25 application fee. This action initiates the application process.
- Complete Application forms below. 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
- An interview with the Spiritual Formation Team to discern readiness to participate in the Spiritual Director Practicum.
- An acceptance offer to the applicant.
- Apply for scholarship if desired.
- Complete registration using “register” link on this page with any instructions we’ve provided if you’re following a payment plan or using scholarship money. If paying by check, make check out to Dominican Center Marywood.
Practicum Overview, Applications, and Recommendation Forms
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 a bachelor’s degree 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.
Teresa Burns
Associate Coordinator for Spiritual Formation Programs, Spiritual Director, Co-Facilitator
Teresa Burns is the Associate Coordinator for Formation Programs at Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas and the Associate Coordinator for Liturgical Life for the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids. She is an Associate with the Servants of Jesus and is on mission to live their charism of “living as Jesus lived, serving as Jesus served, and loving as Jesus loves.” As a spiritual director, speaker, and faith guide, Teresa invites people to notice the Presence of God within them and around them through “URBeloved ministries.” She desires that every person knows how much they are beloved by God.
Teresa completed the Spiritual Direction Practicum at Dominican Center in 2023. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Religious Studies and Sociology from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids and a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Theology from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, IN.
Amanda Dobson
Associate Coordinator for Spiritual Formation Programs, Spiritual Director, Co-Facilitator
Amanda Dobson, Spiritual Director, is an associate coordinator for the Spirituality Programs at Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College. She serves as a member of the Formation Team and is deeply involved in the center’s Spiritual Formation Programs. Amanda holds a B.A. in English, a certificate for Spiritual Direction from DCM, and is a 2019 graduate of The Living School, Albuquerque, NM.
Registration
REGISTER FOR 2026-2027
Only register if you have received a letter of admission from the Dominican Center. Scholarships and payment plans can be arranged, download and submit this form to programs@dominicancenter.com and await word before registering.
Payment Plans for 2025-2026
Upcoming Programs & Retreats
Spiritual Formation Programs Open House
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Sacred Sampling Morning Retreat
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