Women of God

Women of God: Catholic Sisters in the United States
Presenter: Mary Navarre, OP
Date and Time: Saturday, October 27; 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $35.00 - To register online CLICK HERE , or by phone at the DCM Front Desk at 616.454.1241 (Option 5)

Since May of 2009, the exhibit "Women & Spirit" offered history museums across the country an opportunity to display artifacts and images that have rarely been seen by the general public. With a balanced approach that drew upon first-hand narratives, visitors discovered an untold story in American history. The exhibit ended on September 20 in Sacramento, California. Many area residents visited the exhibit when it was in Cincinnati and in Cleveland.

Two times a year, Dominican Center at Marywood presents a program called Women of God, which is an ongoing series organized around a given theme, featuring the life stories of specific women, the historical context in which they lived and the ways in which their spirituality empowered and sustained them. For those who were unable to view the actual exhibit, Dominican Center at Marywood decided to use an arm-chair tour of the exhibit, traveling with their guide, Sister Mary Navarre, OP--a former Dominican Sister of Grand Rapids Leadership Team member.

In this Women of God session, we will spend the morning viewing, discussing and praying with the documentary film, Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America. This film details the lives of Catholic Sisters from the time of their first arrival in the United States nearly 300 years ago. Chronicling their many challenges and achievements, the film demonstrates how these “innovative women helped shape our nation’s social and cultural landscape,” through their service in the fields of education, health care and other social services.

About the Presenter
Sr. Mary Navarre has been a Dominican Sister ~ Grand Rapids for nearly 50 years. She enjoyed teaching in the Humanities and Education programs at Aquinas College for nearly 30 of those years. Before that, she taught in parish schools in Michigan. Most recently Sr. Mary served on the Leadership Team of the Sisters as Councilor for Dominican Life. Her interests are many including music, literature, art, philosophy, and spirituality – especially in the mystical and Celtic traditions. She co-directed the Ireland Overseas Program twice while at Aquinas College. When not immersed in a book, her feet are often on a hiking trail as she is a great lover of the outdoors. She is an ardent advocate for care of Earth and all her inhabitants.  She is currently completing the writing of the second volume of the congregation’s history, covering the years from 1966 – 2012. She received her doctorate from Boston University in 1984.