Women of conviction

In this year of interfaith understanding, we recognize that many women have served within a context of religious prejudice, often at great personal cost. This morning session will celebrate the lives of three such women: Elizabeth Ann Seton, Corrie ten Boom and Edith Stein. Our presenters will tell each woman's story, and then we will pray together in ways that sustained each of the women as they faced their life's challenges. Women of Conviction is part of our ongoing semiannual Women of God Series.

Information about presenters is below:

Reverend Elizabeth Vander Haagen is a spiritual director and co-pastor of Boston Square Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich.  She received her MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary and completed the spiritual direction practicum at the Dominican Center in 2008. She and her husband (and co-pastor) Jay Blankespoor have two daughters. Elizabeth has admired Corrie ten Boom since middle school and her faith has been significantly influenced by Corrie’s testimony and passion.

Mary Vaccaro serves as Director of Dominican Center at Marywood, Adjunct Faculty in Theology and Women’s Studies at Aquinas College and occasionally as a columnist for Faith Magazine Grand Rapids. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Aquinas College, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College. She enjoys offering courses on spirituality, scripture, biographical presentations on saints and other inspiring/holy people, ecumenical/interfaith studies and social justice issues – integrating theology and human experience into all of her teaching through exploring works of literature, art, music, storytelling and humor.

Diane Zerfas, OP is the current Director of Programs for Dominican Center at Marywood. She received her Bachelor of Science in Math, Chemistry, Theology and Education from Aquinas College; a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies at Aquinas in 1981 and a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Studies at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis in 1991. For the past six years, she has been deeply involved in the Spiritual Formation programs here at Dominican Center through the planning and teaching of Foundations in Spirituality, Spiritual Companioning and Spiritual Direction Practicum.

The program will take place at Dominican Center at Marywood (DCM)  on Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon at Dominican Center at Marywood. Pre-registration is recommended. You can register for this program online or call the DCM Front Desk at 616.454.1241 Option 5.

Parking for Dominican Center is located on Lakeside Drive, NE between Michigan and Fulton Streets (see small map at right). Call for any questions regarding the program or if you need additional directions to Dominican Center.