We are a Dominican community of four, comprised of three friars and one layman, for whom prayer and hospitality are priorities; a community giving itself to more intense spiritual practices, with particular emphasis on the practice of silence, while at the same time living a simple life style; with emphasis on the value of inter-religious practice and openness to anyone of any religious tradition.

Jim Barnett OP is a Dominican friar of the Chicago Province.  He was a member of the original "Friends of God" ashram in Kenosha, Wisconsin, but spent the last five years at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue University, where he was able to continue his ministry interests in Centering Prayer, spiritual counseling, social concerns, Pax Christi, interfaith dialogue and mission trips to Haiti and El Salvador.  In his other previous ministries as novice master, retreat preacher, prison chaplain, Marriage Encounter and as a 12-year missionary in Central America, Jim had always considered prayer and meditation as the basis for apostolate, but now is able to live the contemplative style of life more consciously and conscientiously.

Martin Iott OP is a Dominican friar of the Southern Province.  Most of his 37 years as a priest have been spent full time in the ministry of preaching - retreats and parish missions.  He has served in parish ministry and as a university and hospital chaplain.  He has been involved over many years in various aspects of initial formation for Dominican novices and students.  He has maintained a special interest in Eastern Christian theology, spirituality and liturgy, with a special emphasis on the spirituality of the icon.

Bob Kelly OP is a Dominican friar of the Chicago Province. His ministry as a priest has included pastoral care, evangelization and outreach, teaching theology in Catholic high schools and seminary, adult faith formation, and ministry to the elderly. While living with the Ashram Community, Bob is the Director of Liturgical Ministries for the Adrian Dominicans. His interests are in the theology of the Holy Spirit, preaching, and using media for faith formation and enhancing the experience of prayer.

David Stocker is a recent graduate with a Masters of Arts in Theology from the Aquinas Institute of Theology in Saint Louis. He views the ashram as a lived intersection of Catholic contemplative life with the wisdom of the world's religious traditions. His interests lie in the field of interreligious dialogue and in the study of the articulation of human consciousness. David is currently an adjunct instructor with Siena Heights University.