Hope Retreat
Saturday, May 3, 2025
9:00am – 12:00pm EST
Cost: $40
Join us to sample the ways in which the Dominican Center’s programs and retreats cultivate, encourage, and sustain hope in your spirit so that you can live hopefully within the context of your life.
This annual retreat is crafted to give you experiences of what we provide year-round. It is the perfect place to start if you are curious about the Dominican Center!
We will explore St. Bridgid of Ireland’s life, how spiritual friendship is integral to living in hope, and offer experiences of contemplative prayer as well as creativity and prayer.
This year we are focusing on HOPE because of its powerful influence in how we live our lives, and because we hear many crying out for it. We echo Henri Nouwen in saying,
Hope makes you see God’s guiding hand not only
in the gentle and pleasant moments,
but also in the shadows of disappointment and darkness…
As Christians we also say, ‘As long as there is hope there is life.'”
~ Henri Nouwen
Invite a friend, come cultivate your hope, and discover the ways that God might want to meet you through the Dominican Center’s offerings. We welcome you!
Retreat Facilitators
Diane Zerfas, OP
Spirituality Program Coordinator
Diane Zerfas OP is the Spirituality Program Coordinator for Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College, and 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 Zerfas 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.
Geralyn Myczkowiak
Spiritual Director, Foundations in Spirituality Facilitator, Co-Facilitator Spiritual Companioning, Retreat Facilitator
Geralyn Myczkowiak (pronounced mitch cove e ack) completed the Spiritual Director Practicum at Dominican Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2019. She practices spiritual direction at Dominican Center, Design Futures, and in her home office. Geralyn leads spiritual book studies and teaches classes on listening, happiness, and Thomas Merton. She is a former Michigan public and private school teacher, ISD administrator, and educational consultant. Geralyn is a mother, sister, daughter, and grandmother. Her intent is to journey with others as they experience God’s love and unity in their daily lives.
Esther Yff-Prins
Presenter, Spiritual Director, and Centering Prayer Facilitator
Esther Yff-Prins listens to sacred stories in spiritual direction and mentors aspiring spiritual directors. She writes poetry and lives an intentional, contemplative life.
Kimberley Mulder
Spiritual Director, Program Assistant at Dominican Center Marywood, Retreat Leader
Kimberley is a spiritual director trained at Portland Seminary and Program Assistant at Dominican Center Marywood. She enjoys creating and hosting experiences and learning opportunities that tend souls. It is her experience and belief that when we live from the true self in Christ, we become people of courage, hope, patience, compassion, and peace. Her motivation underlying her group facilitating, writing, teaching, and coordinating is that all will encounter God and therefore take another step towards their wholeness, to soulful living. Kimberley is a lifelong learner, a lover of nature and color, a seeker of wonder, and active comtemplative.
Details
More Information
Scholarships are available. Please contact us at 616.514.3325 or by emailing programs@dominicancenter.com
Location
In your map apps, enter “Dominican Center Marywood” (not the street address)
We are on Aquinas College’s campus.
1700 Fulton St. E
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
