Called to be a Spiritual Director
Year 2 Practicum
Registration for 2025-26 is open!
Once a month Friday evening and Saturday, September through May
Fridays 6:30 – 9pm and Saturdays 9am – 3:30pm
Cost: $2,550
A Spiritual Director holds sacred the many stories heard in a one-on-one relationship or in a trusted group. If you have discerned a call to be a Spiritual Director and completed “Called to be a Spiritual Director ~ Year 1” then this Year 2 practicum will …
… provide contemplative spiritual practices, prayer, study, and shared reflection.
… strengthen our ability to stay present.
… attune our listening to sense how the Holy Spirit is present in our lives and in the lives of others.
… look to Spiritual Giants to mentor participants during the formation process.
…remind 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 Year 2
2025-2026 Session Dates and Times
Fridays from 6:30pm – 9:00pm and Saturdays 9:00 am – 3:30 pm ET in person at the Dominican Center on the dates listed.
Dates
September 12 & 13, 2025
October 10 & 11
November 7 & 8
December 5 & 6
January 16 & 17, 2026
February 13 & 14
March 13 & 14
April 17 & 18
May 8 & 9
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.
Teresa Burns
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.
Details
Tuition, Fees + Prerequisite
- Tuition: $2,550
- Application fee of $25 is required.
- Prerequisite: Foundations in Spirituality and Called to be a Spiritual Director – Year 1.
- 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 textbook.
- Financial scholarships and payment plans are available.
- Inquiries: call 616-514-3325 or email programs@grdominicans.org
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 the Dominican Center at Marywood. The Graduate Theological Foundation in Sarasota, FL., also accepts credits from the Dominican Center’s Spiritual Director Program.
Practicum Overview, Applications, and Recommendation Forms
Register
Register for 2025-2026.
Payment plans are available, please contact programs@dominicancenter.com or call us at 6161-514-3325.
2024-2025 Partial Payments
You will need a code from us, if you don’t have one, please contact us at programs@dominicancenter.com or call 616-514-3325.
