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2024 February News
We embrace the process of transformation in Christ, both in ourselves and in others, through the practice of Centering Prayer.
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Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Anima Christi The insight into Christ dwelling in every other person enables one to express charity toward others with greater spontaneity. Instead of seeing only someone’s personality, race, nationality, gender, status, or characteristics (which you like or do not like), you see what is deepest–one’s union or potential union with Christ. You also perceive everyone’s desperate need for help. The transcendent potential of most people is still waiting to be realized, and this awakens a great sense of compassion. This Christ-centered love takes us out of ourselves and brings our newly found sense of independence into relationships that are not based on dependency, as many relationships tend to be, but that are based on Christ as their center. It enables one to work for others with great liberty of spirit because one is no longer seeking one’s own ego-centered goals but responding to reality as it is. (OM, 103) Galatians 3:28 NLT Christians–you are one in Christ Jesus.
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Greetings Friends, As we enter the Lenten Season together, let us reflect. Some call this time our season of purgation, or lean times. The hope of Spring and rebirth pulls us up and onward through the desert and into that oasis of our blessings. It is time to reflect on our excesses, and those obstacles to our peace, and joy. Peace and joy are like the loaves and fishes; always in short supply until we give them away. We may notice our response to inner whispers to succor the sufferings and vulnerabilities of others. And we must include and ourselves. Vulnerabilities! We all have them. Through Fr. Thomas' writings and teachings we realize that many of our vulnerability began in "early childhood". May we pray with gratitude this Easter Season for our external and internal relationship that we share with God. May our actions be in service to God, family, friends, and community. You will find the invitation and details for the Contemplative Outreach of Pittsburgh Spring Retreat at St. Emma's Monastery. You will find the retreat overview and registration details HERE. Our Spring 2024 Retreat seeks to provide us with the opportunity for rest, for "God's rest is there for people to enter", as told in Hebrews 4:6 NLT. We will explore as contemplatives our wisdom and growth towards unity with God, others, and the Universe. And for now the Service Team of Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh extends our love and gratitude to you for taking the time to read our eNewsletter. We hope you will find an opportunity or two here to enrich your 2024 Lenten Season. For instance, you will find such opportunities at many localities, but of note~ check out St. Emma's Website, and you may want to join me for St. Emma's March 23rd Day of Recollection "Overview of Holy Week". We also want to highlight the upcoming United in Prayer Day (March 8/9) and the Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop hosted by Christ the Divine Redeemer Parish (April 20). Please see more detailed information below.
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COP Spring Retreats Registration OPEN
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April 26, 27, and 28, 2024 Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh presents: A Weekend-Retreat with Jim McElroy
Deepening the Contemplative Path: The Gift of Emotional Healing
In this retreat we weave together the practices of Centering Prayer, the Welcoming Prayer, and emotional awareness to allow God’s gift of emotional healing to unfold in the Now. We will come together in conferences to deepen our understanding of the human condition, divine therapy, and emotional sobriety, based on the teachings of Father Keating and AA co-founder Bill Wilson. Plenty of quiet time will give us the space to practice, reflect, and just to be. The beautiful surroundings of St. Emma’s monastery provide an environment that lovingly support our days of re-treat. This retreat is open to all (it is not specifically a 12-step retreat) Jim McElroy is on the governing board for Contemplative Outreach, and has been on the leadership team of 12-Step Outreach since its formation in 2005. He is the former coordinator of CO St. Louis, is on the Welcoming Prayer Service Team, and is a member of the Living Flame teaching team.
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April 20, 2024
St. Susanna's Centering Prayer Group of CHRIST THE DIVINE REDEEMER PARISH hosts a Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop
Follow Up Sessions Scheduled and to be confirmed by participants. All who wish to learn this prayer of consent, and silence are welcome.
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COP Chapter Bookstore: New Book
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Divine Therapy and Addiction: Centering Prayer and the Twelve Steps Thomas Keating reflects on the wisdom and legacy of the Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve-Step method and its connections to, and similarities with, the Christian mystical traditions of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. In conversation with a long-time member of AA meetings, Fr. Thomas talks insightfully about surrendering to one’s Higher Power and the journey that must be undertaken for the healing of the soul to begin. $15 USD. Books will be available through our Chapter Bookstore and at the April Retreat. See below regarding COP Lending Library
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- COP is looking for a new service team members, including treasurer and eNews creator. If you are interested in serving Contemplative Outreach. Mentoring available.
- COP is seeking a Communications Team Intern. Mentoring provided by COP Service Team.
- COP Presenter Commissioning is looking to increase our Presenters of Centering Prayer at this time.
- Contact us at info@pghcenteringprayer.org
- Contemplative Outreach Ltd. is seeding the ground for the new:
- Contemplative Diversity Service Team.
- Please contact Jack Lloyd or Collen Thomas at:
- Jack Lloyd jack.lloyd@earthlink.net
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Colleen Thomas colleen@coutreach.org
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Attention Facilitators; It has been a couple months since we featured the History of our individual Centering Prayer Groups. As we share this 4oth Anniversary Year of Contemplative Outreach and 30 years for our Pittsburgh Chapter, we would like to request submissions for our eNewsletters from you. Submissions should arrive early in the last week of each month for inclusion in the upcoming edition. You may wish to submit and schedule publication at a later time in the year. We welcome news from you Group, perhaps Lectio Readings you have shared, and Study topics. We hope to provide more Introductory Workshops which serve our Chapter, the Community, and the Globe. Please contact Victoria @ victoriae4copcenteringprayer@gmail.com should you wish to learn more about the recent third annual Centering Prayer Summit sponsored by Closer Than Breath. The presenters were excellent! If you would like to share one of the presenter's video presentations with your group, contact me at victoriae4copcenteringprayer@gmail.com
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Upcoming Events and Retreats - In Person Retreats and Conferences |
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St. Emma's March 23rd Day of Recollection "Overview of Holy Week". Cost is $45 at the door. Time is 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
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Bethany Retreat Center:Boundless Compassion - February 23rd – 27th:
- Four-Day Retreat
- Led by Deacon George and Paula Welch
- Click HERE for more information
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Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. 40-year Anniversary Conference
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Mark your Calendar for:Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. 40-year Anniversary Conference September 27 - 29, 2024 Click Atlanta
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Upcoming Events and Retreats - Online (Zoom) Retreats and Programs |
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Contemplative Outreach Southeastern Wisconsin:Introduction to the Welcoming Prayer
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Contemplative Outreach of Columbus:Virtual Silent Saturday with Father Bill Sheehan
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2024 United in Prayer Day March 8 - March 9
A free, globally-hosted 23-hour day of prayer via Zoom In the global unity of silence as God’s first language, we hold vigil for suffering humanity and all creation, and we honor Fr. Thomas Keating’s birthday (March 7),the 40th anniversary of the Contemplative Outreach community and the growing presence of Christ among us.
Join in silence and community at any time, as many times as you are able. Each hour will include at least 20 minutes of Centering Prayer, followed by an offering from the hosting group, which may include a video segment, the practice of Lectio Divina, selected readings, community sharing, chanting, etc.
As we participate in the 23 hours of United in Prayer, let us remember and hold in our hearts all the members of the worldwide Centering Prayer community who do not have access to Zoom / internet technology including those who live in remote areas and those who are incarcerated.
No registration necessary. The event begins on Friday March 8 at 9pm Eastern Time. A detailed schedule will be posted HERE as time nears, along with the Zoom link.
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Contemplative Outreach of Colorado Introduction to the Forgiveness Prayer - March 16, 11 am - 2 pm
- More information: click HERE
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Contemplative Outreach of Colorado: Contemplative Prayer and African Christian Mysticism - March 23, 11 am - 5 pm
- Presenter: The very Rev. Michael Battle, Ph.D.
- More information: click HERE
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Remember to check the Contemplative Outreach Ltd. Click here for the EVENTS Calendar.
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Upcoming Events and Retreats - 2024 Intensives |
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Intensive retreats are a powerful way to deepen our prayer, but given the necessary time commitment they can be challenging to attend. In addition, there are not many intensive CP retreats around Pittsburgh. However, sometimes the stars align, the dates are just right for us, and travel then is part of the journey...
Note that the retreat by CO Louisville is about a 6.5 hour drive from Pittsburgh
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Contemplative Outreach of Louisville: 7-Day Intensive and Post-Intensive Retreat - Feb 12 - Feb 18
- For more information, click HERE
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Holy Cross Monastery West Park, NY: 7-Day Intensive and Post-Intensive Retreat - May 13 - May 19
- For more information, click HERE
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Holy Cross Monastery West Park, NY: 8-Day Intensive and Post-Intensive Retreat - Sep 7- Sep 14
- For more information, click HERE
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Contemplative Outreach of Columbus 9-Day Intensive and Post Intensive - Sept 11 - Sept 19
- facilitated by Frs. Bill Sheehan and Vinny McKiernan. Father Sheehan has been with Contemplative Outreach and Father Keating since the Lama Retreat
- only 3 hours away :-)
More information: click HERE
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Ongoing Programs and Resources |
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Opening Minds, Opening Hearts
This podcast series from Contemplative Outreach is available on all podcast streaming platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Play) and on our CO YouTube Channel. Each episode highlights Friends of Contemplative Outreach and their personal practice of Centering Prayer. You are invited to listen as our guests share insights about the teachings of Thomas Keating, how the practice impacts their work in the world and their thoughts about how Centering Prayer connects to the living traditions of contemplation and meditation.
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Word of the Week
A free program offered by Contemplative Outreach. A short message is sent each Sunday, which includes an image, Scripture, reflections and suggested practices followed by two weekly prayer groups for practice in community.
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Online Courses from Contemplative OutreachContemplative Outreach offers many online programs. Attending a workshop, a retreat, an online Centering Prayer group or participating in an online course with a global community is a great way of deepening one’s relationship with God and the experience of living a contemplative life.
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COP Resources: Books & Lending Library
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Special Price on Books: Each for only $10 plus postage
- Invitation to Love by Father Keating
- The Loving Search of God by William A. Menninger
Lending Library- Click COP RESOURCES for a complete list of resources that can be borrowed from the COP library.
Please call or text your requests to Chris Volz at 412-779-8269 (you may leave a voice message) or send me an email at chrisvolzu@gmail.com.
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1620 Beechwood Blvd #8 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15217 United States of America
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