FEES are payable in advance as classes may be cancelled if numbers booking for them are insufficient. Booking forms and cheques, made out to Lumen Dominican Centre, may be posted to the above address. Cash is acceptable if one is registering in person. Electronic Transfers may be made to Lumen Dominican Centre; Bank of Ireland, Dun Laoghaire. IBAN: IE81 BOFI 9011 1611 4718 28; BIC: BOFIIE2D
REDUCTIONS: A reduction of 10% is applicable to the total if more than one course is booked in the same semester.
Tuesdays
1. Centering Prayer – The Gift of Life. Death and Dying, Life and Living (10 Weeks)
Blanaid Gallagher, OP
“If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide into the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one. In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond; … only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.” (Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet). This programme is suitable for those have been on the Spiritual Journey with Fr Thomas Keating.
Tuesdays
Price: Voluntary contribution at session EUR0.00
Date: 26/09/2017 - 26/09/2017
2. Hatha Yoga (10 Weeks)
Marianne Smulders
Regular yoga practice can impart a number of different physical, mental and emotional benefits. The exercises tone and strengthen the body, increase circulation and oxygen flow, energize for the day and help unwind in the evening. The course is suitable for all levels and ages. Newcomers are most welcome!
Price: General Admission EUR120.00
Date: 26/09/2017 - 26/09/2017
3. French Level 2 (Advanced Beginners) (10 Weeks)
Marie Helène Dolan
For students who can produce simple French sentences and can ask and respond to simple French questions. In this course, listening and speaking skills are built upon, and revision of main points in French grammar is covered. In a fun, friendly, relaxed atmosphere, these classes will enable students to communicate with more fluency to feel confident in most everyday situations.
Price: General Admission EUR110.00
Date: 26/09/2017 - 05/12/2017
4. Italian for Beginners (10 Weeks)
Heather Abrahamson
“Un cappuccino, per favore.” Would you like to get beyond this in Italian and lay the foundations for competence and fluency in the language? Then this course is for you. It is a continuation from the last semester, but newcomers with a basic knowledge of Italian are most welcome to join.
Tuesday
Price: General Admission EUR110.00
Date: 26/09/2017 - 26/09/2017
5. Luther – Man, Myth and Message (5 Weeks)
Sabine Schratz, OP
Andrew Pierce
31 October 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s famous posting of his 95 theses, the symbolic and disputed starting point of the Protestant Reformation that would change the face of the Church and of Europe forever. This course will look at the man and the myth Luther “between God and the Devil” (H. Oberman), at his core message and the ecumenical dialogue today.
Tuesdays
Price: General Admission EUR55.00
Date: 26/09/2017 - 24/10/2017
6. Does Human Nature Change? (5 weeks)
Andrew Pierce
Sabine Schratz, OP
Sean Goan
Marie Junker-Kenny
Sean Goan, Maureen Junker-Kenny, Andrew Pierce, Sabine Schratz OP 10.30-12.00 noon
The dream of a life without injustice, suffering and death is as old as humankind. Promises of its realisation have been plentiful throughout history. With its understanding of human nature as deeply wounded and in need of salvation, the Jewish-Christian Tradition repeatedly threw a wet blanket on an all too optimistic belief in progress. We will explore the biblical foundations of this understanding, the ever disputed concept of original sin and its modern interpretations and present scientific promises of human perfectibility.
Tuesdays
Price: General Admission EUR55.00
Date: 07/11/2017 - 05/12/2017
7. Life Journeying: A Journal Conversation (5 Weeks)
Bill Mathews, SJ
The sessions will go like this: Starting with the present chapter in your life it will trace the journey that has brought you there and explore openings into the future. It will involve reflective writing on life situations, roads taken or to be taken, steppingstones etc. A continuation “Journaling 2: Dreams, Dialogues and Desires” is planned for the spring semester.
Tuesdays
Price: General Admission EUR55.00
Date: 26/09/2017 - 24/10/2017
8. Teresa of Avila: her times and her experience of God (5 weeks)
Natuca Cordon BA
This module will explore the times Teresa of Avila lived in and how she developed friendship with Christ. This experience, reflected in her writings and in her foundations, is still relevant today. We will explore the Book of her Life, her Way of Perfection and the Book of the Mansions – her Interior Castle. There will be an opportunity to pray with St Teresa in a quiet atmosphere to share our reflection.
Tuesdays
Price: General Admission EUR55.00
Date: 07/11/2017 - 07/11/2017
9. Hatha Yoga (10 weeks) Evening
Marianne Smulders
Regular yoga practice can impart a number of different physical, mental and emotional benefits. The exercises tone and strengthen the body, increase circulation and oxygen flow, energize for the day and help unwind in the evening. The course is suitable for all levels and ages. Newcomers are most welcome!
Tuesdays
Price: General Admission EUR120.00
Date: 26/09/2017 - 05/12/2017
_10. Understanding the Religious Other: Christian Perspectives (5 Weeks) Evening
Jude Lal Fernando
Meeting the religious other is a new experience for many of us. Even though respect for diversity is becoming the norm there is the challenge in the schools, work place and communities to understand each other’s faith and how it is lived. This module aims at developing that understanding from a Christian point of view. It will focus on basic beliefs, life style and rituals and make an attempt to appreciate them whilst comparing them with Christian practices. An optional day of visits to different places of worship will be organized in collaboration with the Irish School of Ecumenics, TCD enabling the participants to meet and discuss with the leaders of different faith groups in Dublin.
Tuesdays
Price: General Admission EUR55.00
Date: 07/11/2017 - 05/12/2017
Wednesdays
11. Introduction to Bioethics (5 Weeks)
Cathriona Russell
The course will analyse developments in bioethics at the beginning and end of life in relation to the visions of society and humanity implied in positions on advance care directives, euthanasia, the new reproductive technologies, genetics, enhancement, healing and cloning. It will explore the underlying theological and philosophical principles and values in contemporary biomedical debates in Irish, European and international perspective.
Wednesdays
Price: General Admission EUR55.00
Date: 27/09/2017 - 25/10/2017
12. A voyage of discoveries in Art (10 Weeks)
John O’Riordan
For new students we will start with a journey through European art from ancient Greece to the 20th century. Then, among other interesting topics, we will look closely at the work of celebrated Irish artists, such as James Barry, William Mulready, Daniel Maclise, and the 20th century modernist women artists, including Mainie Jellett and Mary Swanzy.
Wednesdays
Price: General Admission EUR140.00
Date: 27/09/2017 - 06/12/2017
13. German (Conversation) (10 Weeks)
Ruzica Ruane
Immerse yourself in German language and culture in this engaging class. Topical issues, art, literature and Austrian and German traditions are explored in a fun and informative way. The conversational manner is sure to boost both your confidence and fluency.
Wednesdays
Price: General Admission EUR110.00
Date: 27/09/2017 - 06/12/2017
14. Irish (Beginners) (10 Weeks)
Dáire Stevenson
Learn Irish in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. This course is an introduction to Irish and is primarily suited to those who have never studied Irish before or who have a very limited knowledge of the language. We will focus on simple conversational skills and grammar in order to develop a basic knowledge of Irish.
Wednesdays
Price: General Admission EUR110.00
Date: 27/09/2017 - 06/12/2017
15. Taking our Place in the Universe (3 Weeks)
Dorrie Balfe OP
This module aims to explore the current understanding of the Story of Creation. We will trace the early efforts of primitive peoples to explore foundational questions through the medium of myth. The distinction between our early traditional understanding of creation (with emphasis on human history, human time and human space) will be explored against a much longer time span. Scientific progress demands that both theology and science engage with this in a new way. Sections from Pope Francis’ Encyclical “Laudato Si” will raise challenging questions in terms of attitudes and actions.
Wednesdays
Price: General Admission EUR35.00
Date: 08/11/2017 - 26/09/2017
Thursdays
16. Irish (Conversation) (10 weeks)
Dáire Stevenson
This course is designed for students to improve their skills in conversational Irish in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The emphasis will be on giving the student confidence to use the language in everyday situations. We will discuss a wide range of topics from current affairs to literature and cinema. A good basic level of Irish is required. Fáilte roimh chách.
Thursdays
Price: General Admission EUR110.00
Date: 28/09/2017 - 07/12/2017
17. French Level 4 (Advanced) (10 weeks)
Marie Helène Dolan
This course is for students who have a good command of French and would like to keep up to date with cultural, social and political developments in France and increase their fluency and confidence in spoken French. Relaxed and friendly atmosphere guaranteed. Au plaisir de vous voir ou de vous revoir!
Thursdays
Price: General Admission EUR110.00
Date: 28/09/2017 - 07/12/2017
18. The Importance of Truth (5 weeks)
Bernard Treacy, OP
Patrick Quinn
This course will examine, through teaching and discussion, the nature and importance of truth from a philosophical point of view including its relevance to how we think, communicate and live together in a world where truth is too often devalued or dismissed as impractical or too troublesome to apply in day to day life. It will pay heed to the implications of “fake news” and “alternative facts” and the influence of such developments on media in a democratic society.
Thursdays
Price: General Admission EUR55.00
Date: 09/11/2017 - 07/12/2017
19. Exploring English Literature (9 weeks: no class on 5 Oct.)
Phil Dunne
In this class, we read, discuss and share novels, poetry and drama. Our reading material is a mixture of classic and contemporary work written in English and translated writing. We like to read both established and emerging writers. No prior knowledge of English literature is required. Our emphasis is on enjoyment.
Thursdays
Price: General Admission EUR100.00
Date: 28/09/2017 - 07/12/2017
20. Tai Chi for Health and Relaxation (10 weeks)
Jane Bailey, IBVM
The ancient Chinese practice of Tai Chi is becoming ever more popular in the West. With its slow, gentle movements, it is an excellent way of promoting physical and mental well-being. Suitable for people of all ages and abilities, it helps to foster a “relaxed body, quiet mind, contented spirit.” Beginners and improvers welcome.
Thursdays
Price: General Admission EUR110.00
Date: 28/09/2017 - 07/12/2017
21. Reading the Gospel of Mark (4 Weeks) Evening
Sean Goan
The Gospel of Mark is the first and shortest of the Gospels and for a long time was considered the least theological of them. However that position has been reviewed and scholars now recognise the depth and richness of this text especially in its exploration of the person of Jesus. In this course we shall read the text from a literary-theological perspective, paying attention to key themes such as faith and discipleship which help to give this Gospel its special character. No previous experience of reading Scripture is required.
Thursdays
Price: General Admission EUR45.00
Date: 28/09/2017 - 19/10/2017
Fridays
22. Sacred Dance / Dance Meditation (10 Weeks)
Terry Hennessy
Experience harmony of body, mind and spirit, joy, peace, community, healing and fun as you dance to beautiful music while being open to yourself, to the group and to what the dance stirs in you. Sacred dance is influenced by the classical and European folk traditions. No previous experience necessary - clear instructions are given. A warm welcome awaits all.
Fridays
Price: General Admission EUR140.00
Date: 29/09/2017 - 08/12/2017
23. French Level 3 (Intermediate) (10 weeks)
Marie Helène Dolan
In this course, the emphasis is on easing students into conversational French. Learned grammatical concepts are revised and put into a variety of conversation-based exercises that strengthen comprehension and self-expression. These classes will help you learn more complex forms and more advanced vocabulary, giving you the confidence to converse on a range of topics. À bientôt!
Fridays
Price: General Admission EUR110.00
Date: 29/09/2017 - 08/12/2017
24. Making Good Decisions (4 weeks)
Brian Grogan
The decisions we make shape us but also shape our world, so it is vital to make them well. What elements should be included in Christian decision-making? When we decide, can we be certain we have ‘got it right’?’ How can we play a worthwhile role in group decision making? The sessions will draw on the wisdom of the participants and will blend input, discussion and case studies.
Fridays
Price: General Admission EUR45.00
Date: 29/09/2017 - 20/10/2017
25. The Eyes of the Heart (taken from Eph 1:18) (4 Weeks)
Amanda Dillon
Presence, solitude, silence, community, nature, among others, are key themes in Spirituality and these shall be explored through Visual Art. Many aspects of a contemplative life have been expressed by artists in their images and installations. Here, we take time to consider their role and value as creative resources for our own imaginations and spiritual practice.
Fridays
Price: General Admission EUR45.00
Date: 10/11/2017 - 01/12/2017
26. The Parables of Jesus (5 Weeks)
Jesus as Teacher stands at the heart of his proclamation of the Kingdom of God in the Synoptic Gospels. The parables are his chosen method of presenting his message and as such are central to our understanding of his ministry and how the early Church received his teaching. In this course we shall read a selection of the parables to explore what they tell us about the content of Jesus’ preaching and how the evangelists responded to that message in the light of Easter.
Price: General Admission EUR55.00
Date: 29/09/2017 - 27/10/2017
27. Why did Jesus die? (4 weeks)
Kieran O’Mahony, OSA
This short course will begin with a critical examination of the received model of redemption. The starting point for a new understanding will be the historical Jesus and his destiny. We will explore together models of salvation in Paul’s letters, the Gospel of John and the Letter to the Hebrews. Two questions will be asked: Does this writer’s teaching on salvation cohere with that of the historical Jesus? Do these teachings speak to us today particularly?
Fridays
Price: General Admission EUR45.00
Date: 10/11/2017 - 01/12/2017