Featured in Past Newsletters
Centering Prayer Post-Intensive Retreat April 23-28, 2023
Centering Prayer Post-Intensive Retreat
April 23-28, 2023
St. Andrew’s Retreat House, Union, WA
Just a few spots left!
Contact Pam at pwilder@blarg.net
Centering Prayer Retreat
9 – Day Silent Intensive I,
Intensive II, & Post Intensive
Nov. 29 – Dec. 7, 2023
Auburn, CA
Come rest in the stillness of prayer with other contemplative companions, away from the busyness of daily life, and allow the mind, body, and spirit to surrender to God’s presence and action within.
Centering Prayer Presenter Training Retreat
April 14 – 16, 2023
Mercy Center Auburn
Discerning a call to become a Presenter of Centering Prayer?
Here is a unique opportunity to complete your training in 1 weekend near Sacramento, April 14-16.
Contact Gini Graham to discuss this opportunity.
100th Anniversary of Fr. Thomas Keating’s Birth
March 7, 2023, was the 100th anniversary of Fr. Thomas Keating’s birth. Enjoy this 16-minute video courtesy of David Frenette and his wife Donna Zerner, where they share a few as-yet-untold stories of Fr. Thomas’ humor and wisdom, as a way of animating his presence in your life.
Centering Prayer Intensive Retreat
Mercy Center, Auburn CA
March 15 – 23, 2023
Call to get on the waitlist!
United in Spirit - One Day Retreat
In Person
March 11th, 2023
10 am – 3:30 pm
Centering Prayer, Lectio and other spiritual practices. We will also join with our brothers and sisters in faith from the other Abrahamic traditions of Judaism and Islam-to join in a day of spiritual fellowship.
Location: The Peace and Spirituality Center on Lake Washington,
Bellevue WA
sponsored by Contemplative Outreach of Puget Sound North
2023 Spring Spirituality Series
Centering Prayer 12-Step Outreach
2023 SPRING SPIRITUALITY SERIES
A four-part free on-line series beginning
Wednesday, March 8th
5:00pm – 6:30pm PST
(7pm – 8:30pm Central Time).
Registration ends March 1st for Series One…
Scholarships are available
Photo by Peggychoucair
Centering Prayer Intensive Retreat
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude, Idaho
March 13 – 19, 2023
Suggested donation
Single Occupancy: $745
Shared Occupancy: $1290
United in Prayer Day
March 3-4, 2023:
24-hours of continuous community prayer.
Free, online and hosted by various groups around the world.
What Does Centering Prayer Have to Offer the 21st Century?
The New Monasticism: An Interspiritual Manifesto for Contemplative Living
Rory McEntee and Adam Bucko
(In Person and Zoom Presentation)
Saturday, February 25, 2023
8:00 am – 2:00 pm (PST)
Online Cost: $60
Scholarships are available
Meditation Chapel
Pray in silence with practitioners from all over the world with this ecumenical, interfaith community.
Centering Prayer groups are practicing daily on this global video platform of online meditation groups.
To join, go to Learn More button below for simple instructions.
The Welcoming Prayer (online)
Contemplative Enrichment Day
Saturday, January 28, 2023
6:00 am to 1:30 pm (PST)
(online)
January 28, 2023
8:00 am – 11:00 am
“To assist Centering Prayer, we need complementary practices. Centering Prayer teaches us consenting in stillness; the Welcoming Prayer practice teaches us consenting in activity.”
Mini-Retreat: Contemplative Chanting
Trinity Cathedral (in person)
Jan 21, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Join us for our first Contemplative Mini-Retreat of the new year! We’ll learn and practice chants from the Sufi, Taize, Gregorian, and contemporary traditions. Included will be three periods of silent contemplative prayer,
Mystical Hope in our Times with Cynthia Bourgeault
November 5, 1 pm – 2:30 pm PT on Zoom
Spirituality & Practice is delighted that Cynthia Bourgeault, our most popular e-course presenter, will be doing a special “Benefit Talk and Q&A Conversation” about hope in our times. In her 2001 book Mystical Hope, she suggested a new way of understanding hope in the spiritual life. She explained that hope is not tied to a future desired outcome, some fix-it impulse. It has to do with presence, the experience of being met by something from within. It is an abiding sense of being that bears fruit in sensations of strength, joy, and satisfaction.
Welcoming Forgiveness and Centering Prayer Retreat
With Mary Dwyer
September 5, 2023 – September 10, 2023
This 6-day retreat will explore the dance between
Welcoming Prayer and Forgiveness.
There will be extended periods of Centering Prayer, Silence & Solitude.
Guard of the Heart
October 29, 2022
8:00 – 11:00 am
Online Zoom
Compliments our Centering Prayer, the Welcoming Prayer, and the Active Prayer Phrase.
Listening With the Heart
A 5-Day Centering Prayer & Lectio Divina Retreat
September 26-30, 2022
Mt. Angel Abbey Guesthouse, Mt. Angel, Oregon
Each day will include 3 hours of Centering Prayer, Grand Silence, and two sessions of Lectio practice. We will weave together deep silence with contemplative listening and responding.
photo: Benneth Husted
Contemplative Chant
Tuesday, Sept. 13, 9:30 a.m. to noon in person
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (in the chancel)
Learn chants from different traditions, including Sufi, Gregorian, Taizé and contemporary. Explore and discover how to use your body to produce different sound qualities. We’ll chant together before a Centering Prayer sit and then send you home with some chants to use with your own prayer groups. Facilitators: Carole Cook, Pat Zimmer, Amy Stuart-Hunn, Benneth Husted, Martha Scullion.
Words make you think a thought.
Music makes you feel a feeling.
A song makes you feel a thought.– Yip Harburg
The Contemplative Dimension of the Twelve Steps: A Centering Prayer as Eleventh Step Retreat
St. Placid Priory, Spirituality Center
August 11-16, 2022
Thursday, 7:00 pm – Tuesday 11 am
Centering Prayer Half-Day Retreat
First Saturdays Online
Held on Zoom
Saturday, July 2, 2022
12:00 noon – 2:30 pm PST*
*9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Hawai’i time (UTC -10)
photo Brandon Cormier
The Journey Continues
Later in the year we will offer a short course on Contemplative Chanting and creating Prayer Flags. Watch this space for details. In addition, we are offering a five day Centering Prayer retreat at Mt. Angel.
In 2023 we will consider Contemplative Outreach’s 40 day praxis booklets for groups, a book study, and a day of prayer immersion into the Our Father.
It is so strange to realize how many of us have never met each other in person after 2 1/2 years of journeying together on zoom. What an unusual and welcome reunion it will be when we finally get to meet in person!
The Contemplative Dimension of the Twelve Steps, with Thomas Keating
Free Video Series
The 12-Step Outreach Service team commissioned Julie Saad and Ray Muller to edit a set of DVDs by Thomas Keating called The Contemplative Dimension of the 12 Steps. The newly edited recordings consist of 16 sections with a brief topic summary listed for each one.
Mystic Series: Gift of Tears
May 19 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
$20
A look at the different types and purposes of tears, how the Gift manifests, and key figures who’ve had the Gift of Tears.
Sister Kathleen Deignan
Thomas Merton: Guide Through the Dark Night of Earth
Sr. Kathleen Deignan will explore Merton’s message in a new millennium in this zoom event:
May 7, 2022
The Mystery of Death Cynthia Bourgeault
The Mystery of Death Cynthia Bourgeault
Mon., April 18 – Fri., May 13
Centering Prayer Intensive Retreat Monastery of St. Gertrude (with Donna Kreiensieck)
April 4-10, 2022
Single Occupancy – $625.00 (scholarships available)
Location:
Spirit Center at Monastery of St. Gertrude
465 Keuterville Rd. Cottonwood, Idaho 83522
Cynthia Bourgeault "Thomas Keating: The Last Thirty Years"
Featured Event
Sponsored by Contemplative Outreach of Colorado
In Person and Zoom Presentation
Saturday, March 26, 2022, 8:00 – 2:00 pm Pacific Time
United in Spirit
March 26th, 10 am to 3 pm
The Peace and Spirituality Center
Bellevue
Spend an enriching day participating in the United in Spirit in-person retreat March 26th. This year, we will continue to offer opportunities for the practice of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina and we will also join with our brothers and sisters in faith from the other Abrahamic traditions of Judaism and Islam-to learn more of their spiritual practices and join in a day of spiritual fellowship.
Introduction to Centering Prayer
With Adina Meyers and Sr. Anna-Camille Wooden, OSB
Saturday, March 26th, 2022, 9:00 – 1:00 pm Pacific Time
Registration $25.00
(register through St. Placid Priory Spirituality Center)
On Zoom
Looking for an Apprentice Newsletter Editor!
A computer and light computer skills required. Three sessions with me to learn the easy software. Format is already set up so it would be mostly copy and paste.
Contact Linda Garcia. Lgarciapdx@gmail.com
Centering Prayer 9 Day Silent Retreat
March 17 – 25, 2022 at the Mercy Center
Auburn, California
(waitlist only)
Forgiveness: A Growth in Love - 2022
Forgiveness: A Growth in Love – 2022 By Mary Dwyer, Contemplative Outreach
Thursday, March 03 – Monday, April 11
The Evolving Conciousness of Thomas Keating
The Evolving Conciousness of Thomas Keating with Cynthia Bourgeault and his nephew Ted Jones.
(1 1/2 hours).
Centering Prayer 9 Day Silent Retreat
March 17 – 25, 2022 at the Mercy Center
Auburn, California
(waitlist only)
The Welcoming Prayer
January 29, 2022, 9:00 am MT
“It is a way of turning everything over to God …”
Thomas Keating, Open Mind, Open Heart
Centering Prayer Retreat
February 21-27, 2022 (3 p.m. Monday – 11 a.m. Sunday)
St. Benedict’s Guesthouse, Mt. Angel Abbey, Oregon
Expansive views of the Willamette Valley, walking the stations of the cross on the park-like grounds, opportunities to pray with the monks, or simply soaking in the silence, will enhance your Centering Prayer retreat whether you are coming for the first time (Intensive Retreat) or returning (Post-Intensive Retreat). Thomas Keating’s Spiritual Journey videos will be available.
No Frills Second Sits
To help each other with the prescribed second sit each day, we have created a Monday – Friday 4:30-5:00 pm (Pacific) centering prayer Zoom session. The team is committed to offering this from Sept. 15 – Dec. 15, 2021.
Come sit with us. All are welcome – drop in any day or come to all!
Contact councilcoordinating@gmail.com for login information.
Merry Christmas to you!
Watch as Fr. Carl Arico, a founder of Contemplative Outreach, with great joy and humor reflects on his 50-year relationship with his friend and spiritual father, Abbot Thomas Keating. Thanks are due to Contemplative Outreach Philippines for providing this recording from their event remembering the third anniversary of Fr. Keating’s death October 25, 2021.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/deRgJjLuVdw
Prison Outreach Service Team
Rita Weick and Robert Currie from Bend go into Deer Ridge Prison, in Madras to teach CP and facilitate a Prayer group. The prison is still closed for Covid, but they hope to be able to go in again soon. The newly formed Prison Outreach Service Team is active during this time, supporting volunteers and those considering volunteering. They are in fact having a monthly meeting for active and prospective volunteers this Monday.
In addition, Contact Rita Weick to express your interest and stay up to date on Oregon outreach opportunities.
2weicks@bendbroadband.com
Fourth Tuesdays
Two Sits Plus Lectio Divina
Nov. 23, 2021
10 – 11:30 am
You are cordially invited to share some time with our family of contemplatives…
All are welcome!
Advent Evening
December 1, 2021, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
You are invited to attend a mini-introduction to Centering Prayer at Spirit of Grace in Beaverton, either in person (masks required) or on zoom, Wednesday, December 1, 7-8 pm. Whether you are just curious or wishing for a refresher, this is an opportunity to dip a toe into the realm of silence.
To receive Zoom link please email Benneth, bhusted@easystreet.
The Voice
Service to Contemplative Outreach – it’s a great way to support your practice. The national office publishes a quarterly newsletter for what we call ‘servant leaders’. The Voice is a publication for anyone who practices centering prayer and particularly anyone who volunteers in any capacity including facilitators or occasional facilitators. It has a wealth of information to support your practice while you are in service to others.
Please always know that COOP welcomes anyone who feels a call to serve our local area in any capacity. Just give Benneth, Linda or Gini a call and we will help you find your way.
Learn More Today
Advent Retreat
sponsored by Contemplative Outreach Puget Sound North
Time: 9:30 am to 3 pm
Location: The Peace and Spirituality Center, St. Mary on the Lake, Bellevue.
Registration: $30 in person; including handouts, beverages, and pre-retreat snacks. You will be able to pre-order a boxed lunch or bring your own food for lunch.
Tuesdays with Merton
“I love beer, and, by that very fact, the world.”
– The Humor (and Humanity) of Thomas Merton presented by Paul M. Pearson
Dec. 14, 2021, 8 pm EST.
A webinar series presented by the International Thomas Merton Society and the Center for Spirituality at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame on the second Tuesday of each month. Free and open to the public. Registration required.
Centering Prayer Intensive Retreat Monastery of St. Gertrude (with Donna Kreiensieck)
April 4-10, 2022
Single Occupancy – $625.00 (scholarships available)
Location:
Spirit Center at Monastery of St. Gertrude
465 Keuterville Rd. Cottonwood, Idaho 83522
Living Flame 2
November 9, 2021 @ 9:00 am – April 12, 2022 @ 2:30 pm
A Formation Program
O living flame of love that tenderly wounds my soul
in its deepest center! – John of the Cross
Starts November 9 on Zoom!
This extraordinary program includes seven full-day offerings of in-depth spiritual study presented over a seven-month period by commissioned Living Flame presenters from Contemplative Outreach Ltd.
When: Second Tuesday of each month – Nov. 9, Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Feb. 8, March 8, April 12 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. On Zoom.
Fee: $100 suggested, but pay what you are able.
Introduction to Centering Prayer for 12 Step Programs (an 11th-Step Practice)
Saturday, Oct. 30th, 2021; 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Pacific Time
On Zoom, Free of charge
The primary purpose of the 12-Step outreach team of CONW is to deepen our practice of the 11th step: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.” We try to pass on the simple method of Centering Prayer to others in recovery.
Honor All Saints Day & Dia de los Muertos by Creating Personal Memorial Altars
Tues., Oct. 26 – 3-4:30pm – OR – Wed., Oct. 27 – 1-2:30PM
Cost: $20 per person
(Note supply list in more info)
Fourth Tuesdays
Two Sits Plus Lectio Divina
October 26, 2021, 10 – 11:30 am
You are cordially invited to share some time with our family of contemplatives.
All are welcome!
Contact councilcoordinating@gmail.com for login information
Save the Dates
After a glorious week at the newly renovated Mt. Angel Abbey guesthouse last August, we are excited about returning there in 2022! The dates we have chosen are February 21-27 and October 3-9 – two 6-night/7-day retreats to choose from!
Registration is not open yet, but please save the dates in your calendars and stay tuned for the COOP e-news in November where more details will be revealed. Registration will be online.
In the meantime, consider Zoom day retreats each month with the Living Flame program, on second Tuesdays 9 am-2:30 pm, beginning on November 9. A different presenter from Contemplative Outreach National will be featured each month through May 2022.
Holy Smokes!
Check out these e-bulletins put out by Contemplative Outreach Ltd. The Oct. 2021 mentions four YouTubes with Basil Pennington. Definitely worthwhile monthly reads!
“At the same time, it is not enough to have transcendent experiences. We have to translate those experiences into daily life and into our humdrum routine. We have to bring all our faculties into harmony with higher states of consciousness and express that knowledge in human terms, in the dusts of this world.”
Contemplative Outreach of Portland Newsletter
No Frills Second Sits
To help each other with the prescribed second sit each day, we have created a Monday – Friday 4:30-5:00 pm (Pacific) centering prayer Zoom session. The team is committed to offering this from Sept. 15 – Dec. 15, 2021.
Come sit with us. All are welcome – drop in any day or come to all!
Contact councilcoordinating@gmail.com for login information.
Heartfulness: Transformation in Christ
September 23 @ 5:30 pm – November 18 @ 7:00 pm
Course 6 in the Spiritual Journey Series. Do you need a change of heart? This is a 9 week online series in which Fr. Thomas builds upon the concepts of the Spiritual Journey classes and their relationship to our everyday lives.
This heartfulness series has always been reported as excellent and a must-do. We have never offered it in Oregon so we encourage you to consider it – especially now that it’s on Zoom!
Dates: Sept. 23 – Nov.18, 5:30 pm (Pacific)
Contemplative Grief Group
October 5 – December 7
The Covid Pandemic has created many losses in our lives, and none of those losses compares to the loss of loved ones in our lives. We are pleased to be able to offer an online grief support group this Fall. We will join with 10 of you to create a safe place to mourn and to begin the reconciliation process in our lives. Our work will center around Contemplative practices and the work of Dr. Alan Wolfelt, who has shared his work on healing from grief extensively.
Two Sits Plus Lectio Divina
Sept. 28, 2021, 10 – 11:30 am
You are cordially invited to share some time with our family of contemplatives.
All are welcome!
Contact councilcoordinating@gmail.com for login information
Rami Shapiro “First, stop playing God.”
October 9 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Twelve-Step Spirituality is for everyone, because everyone suffers from the foundational addiction of humankind: playing God. In this talk Rabbi Rami will use elements of the Twelve Steps as well as insights common to all mystical traditions to explore the notion of playing God and the liberating realization that God is playing us.
Mercy Center Auburn Retreat and Conference Center
October 13 – October 21
Auburn, California
Centering Prayer
October 13 – October 21, 2021
9-day Silent Intensive II and Post Intensive Retreat sponsored by Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.
The retreat will be facilitated by Susan Turpin, Marty Badgett, and Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI. Susan, Marty, and Fr. Bill have served within the Contemplative Outreach network for many years and have led many Centering Prayer retreats and workshops. Retreat begins Wednesday, October 13th with registration from 3:00 to 5:30; dinner at 5:30pm; ends Thursday, October 21st after lunch.
Note: UPDATED PROTOCOL
All guests are required to be fully vaccinated. Please send proof of vaccination with your registration. You may email to Robin Lionello or text her 530 906-2881.
Christ in All Things Film Series with Fr. Vincent Pizzuto, PhD
Four-part video series Christ in All Things with Father Vincent Pizzuto, PhD.