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Fall/Winter 2000-01 Newsletter Updates Alta, WY
We are responding to folks who have expressed a desire for a longer centering prayer retreat. We want to structure a new retreat opportunity which faithfully builds upon our past experience. This month-long Contemplative Outreach pilot program will creatively initiate an in-depth experience of community living with centering prayer as the foundation. Prayer, study, work, and recreation will unite in one of the most beautiful natural areas of our country. Retreatants will assist in designing the program. Staff members, Fr. Martin O’Loghlen, Fr. Alex Nagy, Ms. Mary Dwyer, and Rev. Sandy Casey-Martus each bring a wide range of teaching experience and a long history with centering prayer. They are eager to serve and share their gifts. If you are interested in being part of “history” please consider joining us this summer. The course is limited to seven (all private rooms). In addition there will be two staff members present each week. Please call or write for an application. Suggested Prerequisite: Completion of a Post Intensive and a regular daily practice. Fee: $1,500 inclusive. Payment plans are available. Please register early and make airline reservations, as this is an extremely popular area in the summer. Also New: 11th Step Retreats – These three-day retreats introduce the method of Centering Prayer as one compliment in 12 Step recovery programs. Thomas’ new tape series on the “Human Condition” will be shown to augment the program. In addition to an introductory workshop, there will be a regularly scheduled 12 Step meeting on Friday night. Retreat leaders are members of 12 Step programs and certified Contemplative Outreach Ltd. Centering Prayer instructors. Applicants must be members of a 12 Step program.
Formation for Contemplative Outreach Service – This year we will host formation training in June from the 17th to the 23rd. Pat Russell from Colorado will assist me. Be sure to make your reservations early as we limit the course to 12 students.
Cape Town, South Africa It was with joy and excitement that we heard the news that Cape Town had been chosen to host the Parliament of the World’s Religions in December 1999 on the eve of the millennium. This extraordinary event came to us at a time when we were emerging from a dark period in our history – a dark night of the soul. We in South Africa are now standing on fresh ground opening ourselves to numerous possibilities both positive and negative. This event has come and gone and left its mark on all who attended. Those of us who attended this gathering were greatly enriched by the whole experience. Unfortunately we were not granted our initial request to give a daily presentation as an introduction to Centering Prayer, but were given only one opportunity to give a mini presentation lasting 1-1/2 hours. As there were 800 different presentations during the 8 days, we were grateful to be there making our contribution. Amongst the many impressions that crowd into my mind as I reflect on this event, is the presence of the Shumei Taiko Drummers who enthralled the crowds with the magic sound of their drums throughout the 8 days of the Parliament. They are members of a Japanese-based spiritual organization known as Shinji Shumrikai. When they play the drums their intention is to direct light to heal the world. This was a powerful soul experience. We were enriched to meet many Americans who came to our information table and introduced themselves telling us that they were practicing Centering Prayer in their own parishes. One special visitor was Sr. Mary Anne Laughlin, a sister of Notre Dame de Namur, who is a Faculty member of COUSA. The exposure which this event offered to Contemplative Outreach has been very valuable. We distributed 1500 leaflets and answered many questions at the information table which had an excellent position for the passing crowds. Eighteen of our members assisted in shift duties throughout the 8 days, starting at 9:00 in the mornings until 20:00 in the evenings. We regard the whole experience as very worthwhile. Sylvia Collier
Middle Tennessee Contemplative prayer is spreading throughout our area. After Father Thomas Keating’s visit to Tennessee this winter, the interest in centering prayer has mushroomed; hence, we have been experiencing the joys and pressures of success! Those of us in leadership roles felt the need for some extra support to continue the work we have been given to do. Such an event was held in July. In order to strengthen and nurture the “leaders” of centering prayer in our area, Middle Tennessee helped host a first annual retreat for coordinators and centering prayer facilitators from surrounding states. This was an opportunity for leaders to take a break from leadership roles, to deepen their own prayer life with others who have been practicing centering prayer for many years, and to learn from our retreat leader, David Frenette. David lived for 10 years at Chrysalis House, Contemplative Outreach’s live-in community and retreat center. He has taught Centering Prayer under Father Thomas’ guidance since 1983. We immersed ourselves in the practice of Centering Prayer, in the context of community, silence, sharing and instruction. Each day an important aspect of Christian contemplative practice was explored, both to support the retreat experience and our practice in our everyday lives. We left with a deep appreciation of the contemplative heritage we are heir to, a fondness for one another, a deeper understanding of how we can relate to God more fully in the midst of our everyday lives and a renewed commitment to contemplative prayer. We have a new part-time volunteer coordinator, Carnnie Harmon, who keeps track of centering prayer groups across our area, keeps our data base updated, schedules workshops, and edits our newsletter. We have just published our first ever newsletter, a vehicle which will help interested persons find a group at the time and place best for them, will offer encouragement and will share news between centering prayer groups in our area. In February, Sister Mary McGehee and Betty Giardini from Alabama, the Rev. Margaret Mullen from Chattanooga, TN, and Hadley Morris from Atlanta, GA will assist the Contemplative Outreach staff at St. Mary’s Retreat Center in Sewanee in offering our first Formation for Contemplative Outreach Service retreat. More and more parishes are requesting workshops and such an event will prepare leaders to respond to the needs both in our area and beyond. Hopefully all these efforts are helping us to, more and more, open to God in faith, in each moment of prayer and activity. Thanks be to God! Carol Wray 615- 373-0613
Portland, OR Our chapter serves all of Oregon and areas of Southern Washington. In the past two years there has been a growth in the number of Centering Prayer support groups and individuals who participate in our network. We have offered training and support to group facilitators and continue to offer introductory workshops on an ongoing basis. In order to provide opportunities for continuing and advanced formation in Centering Prayer practice we are offering five Contemplative Enrichment Days in 2000/2001 with workshops in Lectio Divina, the Welcoming Prayer, the Forgiveness Prayer and other dimensions of contemplative life and practice. In addition we are offering Centering Prayer retreats of two days, four days (May 2001), and a Ten Day Intensive and Advanced Centering Prayer retreat (Jan/Feb 2001). Coinciding with the May retreat will be a visit from Fr. Keating who will also be offering a public talk in Portland on May 19 at 7 PM. As our regional network grows we have a goal to nurture our Centering Prayer communities by providing increased opportunities in accessible formation in contemplative practice and transformation in our local area. We work collaboratively with Contemplative Outreach in Washington, Alaska, and Montana, and have created a Northwest Contemplative Outreach e-mail listserv to keep in close communication. Bill Ryan – ryanwt@imagina.com, http://www.contemplativemin.org, , http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/lectiodivina
Sedalia, CO Our Contemplative Outreach of Colorado community continues to grow in population and service to those seeking the Centering Prayer experience. Fifty-eight volunteers support our Center’s courses, workshops, prayer groups, and retreats. In September, we resumed our midday centering prayer on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays, and began the Spiritual Journey course series with an Introductory Workshop. Labor Day Weekend twelve participants began the Nine-Month Course. The Practice of Contemplative Living group will continue to meet monthly through May 2001. During October, the Center for Contemplative Living will host a half day of prayer, a facilitator’s workshop by Bonnie Shimizu designed to enhance prayer group development, and a weekend Intensive at Sacred Heart Retreat House, Sedalia, CO. We are looking forward to Fr. Thomas Keating joining us in November for our Fall Mini-Retreat “Who is God?” Our Advent celebration will begin with a Centering Prayer Immersion experience-half day of prayer. These activities and special events enrich the prayer practices and deepen the spiritual growth of our entire community. Sr. Bernadette Teasdale, 303-698-7729
St. Louis, MO Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis hosted a weekend retreat for those in 12-step recovery in August for almost 50 retreatants (with many on a waiting list). Entitled “The Contemplative Dimension of the 12 Steps,” the retreat featured videos by Fr. Thomas, Centering Prayer and open 12-step meetings. Presenters were Don Masters, Marty Slattery & Mathew Flatley. The group was very inspired by the event and many signed up to view Fr. Thomas’ six follow-up videos after the retreat. Diane Guerra, 314-963-8900
Walden, NY Contemplative Outreach of Orange County is in its fifth year at St. Andrew’s Retreat House. For the first time our schedule includes the new Contemplative Dimension of the 12 Steps Retreats with Donald Masters from Colorado, and the Contemplative Outreach “Immersion Retreat” with Fr. Thomas Keating (See Calendar of Events for dates). A weekend retreat welcoming in the New Year is now a permanent part of our Calendar (Dec 29-Jan 2). Our movement out into Orange County is slow but steady, while the attendance at our retreats and programs at St. Andrew’s is growing. We are excited and privileged to sponsor a Fundraising Brunch for Contemplative Outreach on May 27, 2001 as part of the Chapter effort to support the Fundraising Campaign launched at the Annual Meeting in September. We at St. Andrew’s Retreat House mourned the loss of Sr. Ellen Patrick Stapleton, a Sister of Our Lady of Charity, North American Union, who made the Retreat House available to Contemplative Outreach. Sr. Patrick died on September 6, 2000 in our Chapel. Her final words were, ‘Thy will be done!’ May it always be so for all of us. Thanks, Patrick - Cathy McCarthy 845-778-2102, or Email cathymc@frontiernet.net.
Winnipeg, Manitoba The first Formation for Contemplative Outreach Service Course held in Canada, took place at St. Benedict’s Retreat Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, June 21-27, 2000, with Bonnie Shimizu as facilitator. Twelve enthusiastic presenters completed the program. At the closing of this event, on June 27, Contemplative Outreach Canada was born! It was unanimous for this group, as well as for the Toronto group that met at St. Benedict’s in May, 1999, that St. Benedict’s Retreat Centre be the information and resource center for Contemplative Outreach Canada! Three reasons for this choice were: that a praying monastic community lives here, that Centering Prayer workshops and retreats are offered here, and that Winnipeg is in the center of Canada. An inaugural document was signed at the closing liturgy. Sr. Catherine Labinowich, OSB, 204-338-4601 |
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New Opportunities: Alta
Retreat Center 30-Day Intensive - The Alta Retreat Center
begins its fifth year of service with great news for all. This July we will host
our first 30-day Contemplative Outreach Centering Prayer Intensive. 