That which you are seeking is seeking you.
~ Rumi
This quote from Rumi is a favorite at Dominican Center.
This is a place where people of all faiths seek to deepen their spirituality — learning to be open to the sacred, the self, the other, and the whole of creation.
Mercy. God’s compassion and kindness, to us as favored, beloved children. Not getting what we deserve; receiving more than we can imagine. Mercy is a gift from God, surprising us with wonders that we do not deserve and yet that we realize we have been secretly desiring. As we acknowledge the chaos of our world and the inner messes that can harden our hearts, we know that only God can bring us peace. Jesus is the face of God’s mercy, a visible and living sign of love. Mercy is the gift shared with us that we are asked to share with our neighbor. How we respond is proof of God’s action in our lives.
Transformation is Personal and Communal
Kim Mulder is a wife and mother of four who is very active in her own faith community in West Michigan and is a participant in Dominican Center’s spirituality programs. Kim reflects that Catholic “things,” such as Lectio Divina and saints are new for her, and yet she has found Dominican Center to be a great resource for her spiritual life. She recently spoke about her experiences at Dominican Center.
Sister Diane: How did you find Dominican Center?
Kim: I’ve known about Dominican Center for quite a few years. I had a friend who had a spiritual director here, and my husband liked to come here for retreat days. They both encouraged me to contact you.
Sister Diane: Last year you enrolled in the Foundations in Spirituality program. What brought you here?
Kim: I was at a pivotal point in my life, deciding if I should pursue a master’s degree in social work or become a spiritual director. Foundations is a course that many people take to deepen their spirituality; it was a course that allowed me to explore my options.
Sister Diane: What did you find?
Kim: I made connections with a community that was both comforting and exciting. As we read the Christian mystics, I found words that moved me. The biggest change that blessed me was discovering centering prayer in the book, The Cloud of Unknowing. It made me much more contemplative.
Sister Diane: You went on to register for the Spiritual Direction Practicum; please describe your experience.
Kim: Transforming! I’m finding out more and more who God is and who I am. Learning that “everything belongs” changes everything. My inner journey is now deepening and scary and exhilarating. It’s activated a call to action within my heart, leading me to “do for others.” You know, there is always something more to do for God.
The hallmark spiritual formation programs at Dominican Center include Foundations in Spirituality and the Spiritual Director Practicum. It is wonderful to see how God’s mercy is at work in our participants’ lives as they experience our programs and contemplative prayer.
Dominican Center Marywood is a ministry of Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids.
