California, San Diego
The year 2006 brought a new Chapter to Contemplative
Outreach Ltd. In February Contemplative Outreach of North San Diego (CONSD)
was launched. Over the past eleven years, the San Diego Chapter has grown
to the point where it now has 36 Prayer Groups. The San Diego Chapter
found it increasingly difficult to effectively support the needs of these
small faith communities. With 17 Prayer Groups in north San Diego alone,
it was decided that the needs of both metro and north San Diego could be
better met by creating a new North San Diego Chapter. CONSD will be
hosting Cherry Haisten, who will be presenting the Welcoming Prayer in
May, and in September Susan Komis will be conducting a two-day retreat on
St. John of the Cross, Night of Sense, Night of Spirit. Susan has also
agreed to come in October for a Visioning Evening with our Servant
Leadership Team and a Visioning Day for our entire membership. We are most
excited about the new Chapter and the support of our dynamic Servant
Leadership Team and our enthusiastic and dedicated membership.
Sue and Chris Hagen, Co-Coordinators, 706-745-8860, sue.hagen@sbcglobal.net
or chris.hagen@sbcglobal.net
California, San Fernando
On November 19, many of us joined Fr. Thomas, Gail
Fitzpatick-Hopler, Fr. Carl Arico, and Marie Howard at Loyola Marymount
University in Los Angeles for the Greater Los Angeles Leadership
Enrichment Day followed by a fundraiser dinner and talk by Fr. Thomas. It
was a wonderful day of bonding and a gift to each of us. The day was
especially significant for many of us as a beloved member of our Centering
Prayer group for more than 9 years, Louise Schampeau, lost her battle with
cancer that morning about 2:00 am. In December, Holy Spirit Retreat Center
reopened after two years of rebuilding. The center has graciously has
hosted many of our formation programs and retreats. In January, the
Coordinator Servant -Leadership Formation Workshop was held there with 21
participants, 12 of whom were from the Greater Los Angeles region. The
Formation sparked new inner growth among us with a deepening understanding
of Contemplative Outreach and our mission. In June, we look forward to
Bonnie Shimizu directing our 8-Day Intensive Retreat and Maria Tasto, OSB,
leading our Centering Prayer weekend retreat. We are grateful for all we
have received and desire to be of service to all who come.
Sr. Linda Snow, 818-784-4515, srlinda@adelphia.net
Colorado, Boulder
After all these years, we continue to grow. We are blessed
to have two leadership teams in our Chapter from St. Thomas Aquinas
University Parish and St. John’s Episcopal Church. Fr. Terry Ryan, CSP,
has worked extensively with us since September with a weekend Centering
Prayer Retreat, two Mini-Retreats and a Day of Prayer and Reflection,
where he has presented mystics St. Therese of Lisieux and Symeon the New
Theologian, and their approach to Contemplative Prayer and how it relates
to contemporary living. St. John’s also offered a Welcoming Prayer
Workshop. St. Thomas offered two Weekend Centering Prayer Retreats and an
Introductory Workshop in Longmont, Colorado. This spring, Fr. Ryan will
present a one-day workshop on Evelyn Linderhill and a Mini-Retreat on Bede
Griffiths. The St. John’s team will present the 7-week Centering Prayer
Introductory Workshop using the New Essentials. Also, on the agenda is a
weekend Lenten Retreat and a June 7-Day Intensive/Post-Intensive Retreat,
both at the Abbey of St. Walburga. Our fall retreat will feature David
Frenette and his presentation “The Heart of Contemplation”.
Barbara Hayden, 303-494-2845, mg329Hayden@aol.com
Colorado, Denver
Spring 2006 brought an air of excitement as we prepared for
our Annual Conference in March. This year, we welcomed Fr. Thomas Keating
and Fr. William Meninger to address “The Spirituality of the Cloud of
Unknowing”. People from across Colorado and the country came to
experience the teachings of our spiritual leaders and to reconnect with
the greater community of Contemplative Outreach. We continue to present
new programs, such as our Thursday night spirituality seminars and David
Frenette’s “The Heart of Contemplation” to support prayer
practitioners no matter what their level. We will carry forward these
successful programs into fall 2006; in addition to our Introductory
Workshop, The Spiritual Journey video series, Saturday Immersion
Experiences, Days of Prayer, and the Nine Month Course. Our annual
Mini-Retreat in October, Advent Retreat at Sacred Heart Retreat Center,
and a growing network of prayer communities along the Front Range of
Colorado offer other opportunities to deepen our prayer practices and our
spiritual growth. Our servant- leadership teams and volunteer staff are
blessed to serve a growing community of seekers.
Sr. Bernadette Teasdale, 303-698-7729, srb@contemplativeoutreach-co.org
Florida, Central
Contemplative Outreach Central Florida (COCF) is pleased
with the success of offering monthly contemplative masses to our Orlando
area community at Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs. When
Fr. William Meninger visited on September 19, 2005 to present his workshop
on “The Way of Forgiveness” and again January 19 - February 2 to
present several workshops on “Contemplative Prayer and the Cloud of
Unknowing”, he also presided at a few contemplative masses, largely
attended by our local community. Fr. William visited Centering Prayer
groups at Church of the Epiphany in Port Orange, St. Peter’s Catholic
Church in Deland, and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Mt. Dora. Two
Introductory Workshops were planned and supported by the Chapter as a
result of his visit. Fr. William also visited the Coleman Correctional
Center on February 1, 2006 and spent separate time teaching Centering
Prayer and holding discussions with about 70 women and about 40 men at the
medium security facility. This was a significant contribution to the local
Prison Ministry. We are grateful for Fr. William's visits and support for
central Florida.
We were elated only a month later by Fr. Thomas Keating’s
visit to the Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs on March
3-4. He divided his time with the local area Centering Prayer members on
one day and the parish at large on the next day. COCF continues to offer
monthly programs to facilitate ongoing spiritual formation via Days of
Prayer (Silence & Solitude), Conference Days, such as “Contemplative
Service: The Practice of Attention/Intention”, with CO presenters Bob
Fasulo and Ed Savoy; “St. Therese of Lisieux: Dying & Caring for the
Dying” with presenter Fr. Terry Ryan, CSP; and our annual 10-Day
Intensive/Post-Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat typically held in May or
June at St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami.
Basha Perez, 407-869-0781, cocf@christian.net
Florida, Tampa Bay
Contemplative Outreach of Tampa Bay (COTB) in Florida is
moving from the outstanding leadership of Marge and John Rafftery to a new
coordinator, to be determined, and two assistant coordinators, Jeff Carr
and Bob Fasulo, representing north and south of the bay, respectively. We
are glad to offer a dynamic Core Group, including four who have recently
attended Coordinator Servant-Leader Formation at St. Meinrad’s
Monastery. Fr. Micah of St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass offered a
beautiful commissioning service for us. Marge Rafftery is moving on to new
leadership and will be heading up the Living Flame Program
internationally. Our community has progressed from Living Flame I last
year, moving on to Living Flame II, concluding this year. We are hoping to
usher in a new Living Flame III as soon as that might be available.
Response has been phenomenal with 46 attendees. We had a visit from Fr.
Keating for our final session on The Night of Spirit and to the Epiphany
Cathedral in Venice on April 2nd. We are grateful to special events
coordinator, Kaethe Perez for her excellent work. We are also grateful to
Bob Fasulo for updating ten of our Introductory Workshop Presenters on the
New Essentials. We have over 15 Centering Prayer groups growing strong in
our area at this time. We are thrilled that in mid-October Jeff Carr will
be coordinating a visit with Sr. Maria Tasto, who will be giving us a
Lectio Divina Workshop, as well as offering training in these workshops to
our current Commissioned Presenters. A recent visit from Fr. William
Meninger graced over 80 of us with his wisdom on the book, The Cloud of
Unknowing. We also coordinated efforts with Contemplative Outreach of
Central Florida for our statewide 10-day Intensive/Post-Intensive Retreat
led by Fr. Bill Sheehan in Miami on May 19-28. We offer gratefulness to
the Holy Spirit for these beautiful movements in our area.
Assistant Coordinators, Bob Fasulo, 941-778-3091, rpfami@yahoo.com
and Jeff Carr, 813-251-2025, jeffcarr@tampabay.rr.com
Georgia, Atlanta
The first half of 2006 was once again a productive and
enriching six months for Contemplative Outreach Atlanta. On March 18,
Susan Komis came to Atlanta to guide us through the Visioning Day process.
We incorporated the annual United in Prayer Day into our Visioning Day
program, which added special meaning to our coming together as we planned
for the future of Contemplative Outreach Atlanta. New prayer groups were
started as a result of the Introduction to Centering Prayer Programs that
were offered. In May, we held our first Centering Prayer and the 12 Steps
Weekend Retreat and look forward to this retreat becoming an annual event.
Over Labor Day weekend, we will host our second annual 5-Day Intensive at
the Trappist Monastery near Atlanta. Contact Mary Joyce and Vernon Dixon
at 706-896-8275 or vandmjdixon@alltel.net
for details. Finally, we are looking forward to offering the Living Flame
Program, which is to begin in the fall.
If you are interested in any of our programs, please contact Roberta Oster
at 404-299-2670, robertaoster@bellsouth.net
or Cathy Hightower at 770-973-6243, chightower@aol.com
Illinois, Chicago
Bob Gordon, Director of Religious Education and Assistant
Coordinator in Chicago, has been providing eighth grade retreats on Lectio
Divina for several parishes in the archdiocese. They have been very well
received. Bob is now working with a national committee to build curricula
for both high school and middle school formation in the contemplative
dimension of the gospel. There were seven introductory programs scheduled
with first sessions between January 28 and March 25. We are blessed with
commissioned and presenters-in-training to provide leadership for these.
This is the second year for Living Flame I. Next year, the two groups will
join for Living Flame II. In April 2007, we have invited , Gail
Fitzpatrick-Hopler, President of Contemplative Outreach, to provide a Day
of Enrichment to Centering Prayer practitioners. An 8-Day Intensive will
be held in July 2007.
Margie Tomlinson, Coordinator, 847-391-0997, matomlinson@comcast.net
Kentucky
In September 2006, our coordinator will have completed the
agreed upon three-year term. In anticipation of this event, 17 members
joined in a discernment process in the January leadership meeting to
determine who would best serve as our next coordinator. Sr. Mary Otho
Ballard, OP, was chosen and accepted the role. She will be working closely
with the outgoing coordinator until September. Four new prayer groups have
started weekly meetings in Owensboro following a January 28 Introductory
Workshop at Settle Memorial UMC, in partnership with St. Stephen’s
Cathedral. Two of our members have been leading a weekly prayer group at
the Luther Luckett Prison in a nearby town during the past year. On May 22
we expanded our prison ministry by presenting an Introductory Workshop at
the Federal Medical Prison in Lexington. During the past year, Fr. Carl
Arico led a three-day retreat at Nazareth, Kentucky, in April and an 8-Day
Intensive/Post Intensive Retreat in July at Mt. St. Joseph’s Retreat
Center. Mary Dwyer presented a one-day workshop on the Welcoming Prayer at
Nazareth. We are expanding our Annual Day of Prayer for Peace to three
different settings to make it available to more of our members. In July of
this year, the 8-Day Intensive/Post Intensive Retreat will be offered at
Mount St. Joseph’s Retreat Center under Fr. Justin Langille’s
direction. In September, Sr. Maria Tasto will present a workshop on Lectio
Divina. This has been two-and-a-half years full of amazement and gratitude
to all the members of COKY for their generosity in sharing the
responsibility of COKY. We are growing and one can see God’s grace
flowing and inspiring our members and those we touch. It is very
humbling.
Millie Clements McElroy, 502-244-0878, i.mcelroy@insightbb.com
Louisiana, Baton Rouge
Our Mini-Retreat Series continue to be a blessing. After
two years visiting with “The Origins of Contemplative Prayer”, this
year our theme is “Lectio Divina”. We continue the same format: four
periods of Centering Prayer, use of videotapes for the teaching, and
ending the day with a sharing time. Starting September 2006 to May 2007
our theme will be “Love in Christian Contemplation”. Everyone is
invited - see you.
Monica Freeman, 225-924-3812, freemonica2003@yahoo.com
Louisiana, New Orleans
We are on the long, long road of re-building and recovering
here in New Orleans. The Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph that was
our prime meeting place suffered millions of dollars of damage and will
not be rebuilt. We are so thankful that in our need the Parker Memorial
United Methodist Church has been very welcoming to us. The Newman Center
at the University of New Orleans is being repaired and we will soon be
able to use the space again. This is a time when our mailing list is
almost useless - so many people have either left town or have moved
elsewhere in the metro area. Yet the daily practice of Centering Prayer
sustains us. Small groups still gather weekly and at least once a month we
unite for a morning prayer. Rosaryville in Ponchtoula, Louisiana is going
to be able to host us for our yearly Intensive/Advanced-Intensive Retreat,
July 21-28. We have been blessed: Fr. Carl Arico spent an evening with us
exploring “Centering Prayer in the Midst of Chaos”.
Pray for us, please. Vivien Michals, 504-944-4000, vived2@cox.net
Minnesota
During the past year we launched our new website, which
provides instant information about Centering Prayer and lets practitioners
know they are part of a larger movement. Go to
www.minnesotacontemplativeoutreach.org to visit our website. In addition,
our 21 teachers reached hundreds of people wanting to learn more about
Centering Prayer to deepen their practice. They conducted six Introductory
workshops, five Weekend Retreats and six Intensive Retreats. In addition,
the following opportunities were also offered: “Deepening Centering
Prayer”; “Growing in Inner Freedom”; and “Men, Meditation, Midlife
and Merton”. More than 50 groups meet regularly throughout the state to
support practitioners. One of these groups is comprised of men who have
been meeting for more than five years to discuss spirituality issues and
to meditate together. In the “wide-spread” northeast region of our
state, leaders and practitioners met three times this past year to share
Centering Prayer, meditative walks, a Keating video, discussions and
lunch. This year the core group also surveyed all group leaders to see how
Minnesota Contemplative Outreach can serve them better. Results will guide
us in planning future activities.
Sr. Virginia Matter, 651-777-7251, virginia@benedictctr.org
Missouri, St. Louis
We welcomed the new year on January 8 with a wonderful,
intimate Epiphany Celebration and Taize Prayer Service. During the
service, Servant Leaders stood to pray the Prayer of Dedication for their
upcoming year of service. We also invited anyone who wished to serve to
stand and join in. It was a beautiful sight to see so many others moved by
the Spirit stand and pray as a sign of their intent to serve this year.
Without doubt, our Chapter will provide service opportunities for everyone
this year as we host the International Conference in September. We are
also offering Formation for Contemplative Outreach Service in mid-July to
meet members’ requests to become Presenters of the Introductory Workshop
Programs. Our Silent Saturday series of mini-retreats sees growing
attendance every session. And, with over 30 prayer groups now, we are in
the process of building a larger service team to support their needs and
match new members with existing groups or help new groups get started.
Having hosted the 20th Anniversary Tour last fall, it will continue to be
a very busy time for our community. But, we trust “all shall be well”.
Experience has taught us that the Holy Spirit will guide us and that we’ll
have the ways and means—and the Servant Leaders— to do all we are
meant to do!
Marsha Hatfield-Baker and Jim McElroy, Co-Coordinators, 314-918-8288
(Marsha), hatfield-baker@charter.net,
618-398-5734 (Jim) jmac150@sbcglobal.net
New Mexico
Contemplative Outreach of New Mexico will be hosting an
8-Day Retreat, July 20-28. This is a pilot retreat that uses various
vestibules into Centering Prayer. Timothy Koock and Susan Rush will serve
as auxiliary staff to Jim Reale who will facilitate this retreat that
includes chants he has created using Christian texts and prayerful
movement. The “Praying from the Heart—Praying with the Body” retreat
will be held in northern New Mexico, in the mountains outside of Santa Fe.
It is pre-supposed that those attending have at least five years of
Centering Prayer experience and have already done a 10-Day Intensive
Retreat or the equivalent of three to five Weekend Intensives. No
prayerful movement experiences are required. Contact Susan Rush for more
information or to register.
Susan Rush, 505-988-8886, susrush@aol.com
New York, Albany
Brother Fire - Contemplative Outreach originated in the
1980’s. It followed the teachings of Frs. Thomas Keating and Basil
Pennington during its period of formation and growth in its commitment to
Centering Prayer. Joe Byrne, as an active Anglican priest, was privileged
to show videos and teachings by Fr. Thomas to the Episcopal Diocese of
Albany at their convention. Eventually some eight groups emerged. Four
groups are presently active. We are delighted and grateful for God’s
call to be part of His growing body of contemplatives.
Joseph Byrne, 518-745-7976, jmbyrne@capital.net
New York, Westchester
Our primary focus in 2006 is to present the revised
essentials of the method of Centering Prayer to existing prayer groups, as
well as accommodate new requests within Westchester County and its
immediate neighboring communities. Two new brochures help to give our
chapter a “face”. Our new chapter brochure connects us to
Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. and describes our unique programs. The prison
outreach brochure includes quotes from the women of the Taconic
Correctional Facility sharing their experience with Centering Prayer. We
continue to attract outstanding outside speakers to supplement our local
talent.
At our Graymoor October 2005 retreat, Director Fr. Bill
Sheehan's focused presentation offered a deeper understanding of Fr.
Thomas Keating's teachings. Both seasoned and new practitioners gained
insights and wisdom through engaging dialogue and humor. Judy
Blanchard-Young arranged for her long-time friend, David Frenette, to fly
East from Colorado for her Founder’s Day Celebration in November 2006.
David presented a thought-provoking workshop to a large group, many
traveling substantial distances for this special occasion. David spoke of
how the contemplative journey changes over time as our relationship with
God develops. Rooted in Fr. Keating's teachings, this workshop opened new
territory designed for those whose Centering Prayer practice has created a
yearning for something more, something deeper. Special thanks to our
Leadership Team and to our Facilitators for their devoted service. For
information about our upcoming events, check our link on the national
website.
Stephanie Iachetta, 914-921-1113, cowemail@aol.com
Washington, DC
After serving six rewarding years, Ron Barnett recently
decided to step aside as coordinator. This decision will allow other
leadership to serve and Ron can best serve the Board of Trustees of
Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., to which he was elected. Please join the
Leadership Team as we welcome Guy Semmes to his new role as coordinator.
The Chapter is very active and has planned a number of programs for
the upcoming year. An introductory program in Centering Prayer is planned
for early summer in Northern Virginia. Guy and Dana Semmes's prison
ministry is moving forward. Fr. Bill Sheehan will present a Welcoming
Prayer Workshop following his visit with us this winter for a weekend
retreat. A service group is meeting to promote the growth of Centering
Prayer in Northern Virginia. Three new commissioned presenters of
Centering Prayer have joined us in presenting introductory programs. In
all, the Spirit is silently and steadily nourishing our area and for this
we are all most grateful. Finally, plans are underway for COMW to host the
Living Flame Program (LFP). We are excited about the experience of how
this program can galvanize a community through spiritual deepening, and it
has drawn wide interest from Baltimore, MD to Richmond, VA. We will offer
the LFP, beginning in October 2006 and ending in May 2007. For more
information concerning our LFP contact: Isabelle Robinson at (703)
421-0464 or imjrobinson@comcast.net.
Guy Semmes, 301-983-1857 thesemmes@comcast.net
Utah
It was with interest and appreciation that I read the
letter from “anonymous” to Unknown Friends which appeared in the
Spring/Summer 2005 newsletter. We, here in this beautiful valley, can in
some respects identify with our anonymous friend. We have three small
groups that meet faithfully and find support and encouragement from the
group. Two of these groups are in Ogden and one in Salt Lake City. Though
we do have the support of the group, I can identify with anonymous in that
it is still difficult to maintain a level of dedication for any extended
length of time, even with the benefit of a small support group. To get
people more involved, during the past year we have read and discussed Fr.
William Meninger’s book, Loving Search for God. It has brought us
closer together as well as encouraging us in our practice of Centering
Prayer. I would encourage small groups to read and discuss one of the many
resources available for our growth in Centering Prayer, as part of their
meeting.
Sr. Danile Knight, O.S.B., 801-392-9231, olmrh@konnections.net
