Contemplative Outreach Ohio

VISION STATEMENT

 

 

Contemplative Outreach is a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in everyday life through the practice of Centering Prayer. The contemplative dimension of the Gospel manifests itself in an ever-deepening union with the living Christ and the practical caring for others that flows from that relationship. Our purpose is to share the method of Centering Prayer and its immediate conceptual background. We also encourage the practice of Lectio Divina, particularly its movement into Contemplative Prayer, which a regular and established practice of Centering Prayer facilitates.

 

We identify with the Christian Contemplative Heritage. While we are formed by our respective denominations, we are united in our common search for God and the experience of the living Christ through Centering Prayer. We affirm our solidarity with the contemplative dimension of other religions and sacred traditions, with the needs and rights of the whole human family, and with all creation.

Contemplative Prayer is the opening of mind and heart - our whole being - to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words and emotions, whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, thinking, feeling and choosing: even closer than consciousness itself.

 

The root of prayer is interior silence. Though we may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words, this is only one expression. Contemplative Prayer is a prayer of silence, an experience of God's presence as the ground in which our being is rooted, the Source from whom our life emerges at every moment.

For the Church's first sixteen centuries Contemplative Prayer was the goal of Christian spirituality. After the Reformation, this living tradition was virtually lost. Today, with cross-cultural dialogue and historical research, the recovery of the Christian contemplative tradition has begun. The method of Centering Prayer, in the tradition of Lectio Divina (praying the scriptures) is contributing to this renewal.

 

Centering Prayer is a method of prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of Contemplative Prayer. Centering Prayer consists of responding to the Spirit of Christ by consenting to God's presence and action within. It furthers the development of contemplative prayer by preparing our faculties to cooperate with this gift.

 

Centering Prayer facilitates a movement from more active modes of prayer: verbal, discursive, or affective prayer into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer is meant to enrich and compliment other forms of prayer, not to exclude or replace them. Centering Prayer is at the same time a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. It is Trinitarian in its source, Christ-centered in focus, and ecclesial in its effects; that is, it builds communities of faith and bonds the members together in charity.

 

Centering Prayer is drawn from ancient prayer practices of the Christian contemplative heritage, notably the Fathers and Mothers of the Desert, the monastic practice of Lectio Divina (praying the scriptures), The Cloud of Unknowing, St. John of the Cross, and St. Theresa of Avila. Three Trappist monks, Fr. William Meninger, Fr. Basil Pennington and Abbot Thomas Keating at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, distilled it into a simple method of prayer in the 1970’s.

 

The mission of Contemplative Outreach is to teach the method of Centering Prayer and to offer practices that bring its fruits into daily life. We also teach Lectio Divina, particularly its movement into contemplative prayer, as facilitated by a regular practice of Centering Prayer. We help individuals and groups establish a contemplative prayer ministry by offering Centering Prayer workshops, retreats and formation programs. Our programs are designed to present the richness of Christian Contemplative heritage in an up-dated and accessible format.

 

We identify with the Christian contemplative heritage from which Centering Prayer is drawn. We recognize this heritage to be a common ground of unity. Mature fruits of Centering Prayer are a deeper caring response to the needs and rights of the human family and a deeper respect for the integrity of all creation.

 

 

 

THE CENTERING PRAYER PROGRAM

 

Introduction to Centering Prayer:

A six - hour introductory workshop teaching the Method of Centering Prayer.

Six to twelve weekly (90 minutes per week) to establish a regular practice of Centering Prayer.

 

Lectio Divina and its Movement into Contemplative Prayer:

A three -  hour workshop emphasizing an experience of the contemplative dimension of scripture.

 

Centering Prayer Intensive and Post Intensive Retreats:

7 to 10 day residential retreats with increased periods of Centering Prayer and continuing education in its conceptual background, through "The Spiritual Journey" the video tape series by Fr. Thomas Keating.

 

Formation for Contemplative Outreach Service:

Training Commissioned Presenters of the Introductory Workshop and training Facilitators of Centering Prayer Groups.

 

 

 

 

CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH LTD.

10 Park Place - Suite 2 - B

P.O. Box 737

Butler, N. J. 07405

Phone: (973) 838-3384

Fax: (973) 492-5795

http://www.internationaloffice@centeringprayer.com

 

 

 

 

Local Chapter Information:

 

 

CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH OHIO

Kay Powers, Coordinator

3104 Corydon Rd.

Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

(216) 932-8911

e-mail: kaypo@aol.com

 

 

WEB SITE: http://www.cleveland.catholicnet.com/contemplative

 

Please visit frequently to obtain current information.

 

 

 

  ****

"Be Still... And Know

That

I

Am

GOD"

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

 

Silent Saturday

Enjoy the quiet-Extended period of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, and discussion.

St. Paul’s Shrine, 4120 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio

Dates: Second Saturday, every other month: July 14, September 8, November 10, 2001

Time: 9:00am

 

 

For further information about the above programs please contact: Kay Powers, Coordinator  (216) 932-8911

 

 

CALENDER

 

November 2, 2001- First Friday Contemplative Mass

7:00 pm, St Paschal Baylon, Highland Hts., Ohio

 

November 10, 2001- Silent Saturday

9:00am St. Paul’s Shrine, 4120 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland Ohio

 

 

REGISTRATION  FORM

 

Name: _______________________________________________________________________________

Address:  _____________________________________________________________________________

                  _____________________________________________________________________________

Phone:    (day) _____________________________________  (evening) ____________________________

Program Title: _________________________________________________________________________

Program Date: _____________________________________

 

Amount Enclosed: _____________                                    (minimum of $25.00 non-refundable deposit is required for overnight

                                                                                                                Programs. Full fee is required for day programs)

 

Please make checks payable to:  Contemplative Outreach Ohio

Mail to:                  Peg Butler

                                19601 Van Aken Blvd.  # X3

                                Shaker Hts., OH  44122

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


CENTERING + PRAYER + SUPPORT + GROUPS

 

 

 

 

  Dayton, Ohio-For information , contact Gerry and Nancy McLaughlin 513-897-4012

 

  OSU Newman Center, Columbus, Ohio-Monday, 7:00 P.M. Wed 12:15 P.M.

                                Contact: Fr. Vincent McKiernan, CSSP (614)-291-4674

 

  Hudson, Ohio- Tuesday, 10:00A.M. at Laurel Lake Retirement Community

                                Contact: Joe Fitzgerald  (330) 656-0667

 

  Lakewood, Ohio- Contact Jack McGuane (216) 221-0299

 

  St. Ann Parish  Cleveland Hts.  Thursdays at 7:00 P.M.

Contact: Francesca Bondi (216) 932-3831  

 

  St. Hilary Parish  Fairlawn/Akron.  2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7:30 P.M.

Contact: Becky Katzenmeyer (330) 867-8926

 

  St. Joseph Christian Life Center. Sundays at 7:00 P.M.

Contact: George Novotny (216) 731-9012

 

  St. Leo Parish  Cleveland.   2nd & 4th Thursdays after 7:30 P.M. Mass

Contact: Bernice Kilcoyne (216) 398-9376

 

  St. Paschal Baylon, Highland Hts. 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7:30 P.M.

Contact: Mel Culek (440) 944-3461

 

  St. John Neumann   Strongsville.   Tuesday of 2nd & 4th week of the month at 7:30 PM

Marian Room   

Contact: Sr. Mary Popoczy (440) 238-1770

 

 St. Christopher’s  20141 Detroit Ave, Rocky River.     Thursdays @ 7:00 P.M.

Contact: Bernie Duber (440) 835- 9074

 

 St. Mary of the Assumption 8560 Mentor Ave., Mentor

2nd & 4th Wednesday  after 7:00 PM Mass

Contact: Leona  Streiner (440) 255-2432

 

 St. Bede the Venerable  9114 Lake Shore Blvd., Mentor

2nd & 4th Wednesdays  at 7:00 PM in the church

Contact: Rev. Mr. Kenneth Knight  (440) 257-5544

 

  St. Rita, Solon, Ohio- Contact Mariana Terezza (440) 349-9056

 

  Trinity Episcopal,  Findlay, Ohio- Tuesday 6:00 P.M.

                                Contact Will Slater (419)358-3288

 

 

(Please check with contact person for any changes in group functions.)

 

 

 

FIRST + FRIDAY+ CONTEMPLATIVE + LITURGY

Sponsored by

 

CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH OHIO

7:00 P.M.

Every First Friday

At

 

St. Ann Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament

located at

 

St. Paschal Baylon Church

5384 Wilson Mills Road

Highland Heights, Ohio

 

Schedule:

June 1, 2001-Fr.Micheal  Brunovsky

                July 6, 2001-Fr. Christopher Schwartz

August 3, 2001-To be announced

September 7, Fr. Mick Joyce

October 5, 2001-Bishop Roger Gries

November 2, 2001- Fr. Micheal  Brunovsly

December 7, 2001-Fr. Jim O’Donnell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOOKS FOR SALE

 

                                                                                                                                Price                 Quantity      Total                                                            

Open Mind, Open Heart

Thomas Keating, OCSO

$12.95

 

 

Invitation to Love

Thomas Keating, OCSO

12.95

 

 

The Mystery of Christ

Thomas Keating, OCSO

12.95

 

 

Intimacy with God

Thomas Keating, OCSO

13.95

 

 

The Kingdom of God is Like

Thomas Keating, OCSO

10.95

 

 

Crisis of Faith, Crisis of Love

Thomas Keating, OCSO

10.95

 

 

Awakenings

Thomas Keating, OCSO

12.95

 

 

Reawakenings

Thomas Keating, OCSO

12.95

 

 

Active Meditations for Contemplative Prayer

Thomas Keating, OCSO

12.95

 

 

Loving Search for God

Wm. Meninger, OC

11.95

 

 

1012 Monastery Road

Wm. Meninger, OC

5.95

 

 

Too Deep for Words

Thelma Hall, r.c.

8.95

 

 

Thoughts Matter

Mary Margaret Funk

12.95

 

 

Psalms for Praying

Nan C. Merrill

16.95

 

 

Lectio Divina

M. Basil Pennington, OCSO

14.95

 

 

A Taste of Silence

Fr. Carl Arico

14.95

 

 

The Process of Forgiveness

Wm. Meninger, O

12.95

 

 

Journey to the Center

Thomas Keating, OCSO

14.95

 

 

Spiritual Journey Transcriptions I

Thomas Keating, OCSO

14.95

 

 

Spiritual Journey Transcriptions  II

Thomas Keating, OCSO

14.95

 

 

Spiritual Journey Transcriptions  III

Thomas Keating, OCSO

14.95

 

 

Spiritual Journey Transcriptions  IV

Thomas Keating, OCSO

14.95

 

 

 

 

AUDIO CASSETTE TAPE SETS

 

 

 

Journey to Contemplation              (8 tapes)

Thomas Keating, OCSO

35.00

 

 

The Divine Therapy                      (4 tapes)

Thomas Keating, OCSO

27.50

 

 

The Kingdom of God is Like          (4 tapes)

Thomas Keating, OCSO

23.00

 

 

The Desert Experience                    (3 tapes)

Thomas Keating, OCSO

18.00

 

 

Christian Mysticism\Contemplation

(A Visit with Some of the Superstars) includes a study guide                    (5 tapes)                                        

 

 

Fr. Carl Arico

 

 

35.00

 

 

The Power of Silence                     (3 tapes)

Fr. Carl Arico

18.00

 

 

Beyond Centering Prayer                (6 tapes)

Mary Mrozowski

31.00

 

 

Living a Christ-Centered Life in the 21st Century

August 2, 1998 in Cleveland           (1 tape)

 

Thomas Keating, OCSO

 

5.00

 

 

 

 

ORDER  FORM

 

 

Name: _____________________________________________________Subtotal ________________

(please print)

 

Address: __________________________________________________   Shipping _______3.00_____

 

                  __________________________________________________          Total Enclosed $__________

 

Phone:   (day) _______________________    (evening) ______________________________

 

Please make checks out to:  Contemplative Outreach Ohio

 

Mail To: Contemplative Outreach Ohio                                Telephone:  (440) 639-9981 (h)

                                c/o Lorraine Benedict                                                                     (440) 357-5991 (w)        

                                11697 Cali Court                                                    Pager:  1-888-352-4908         (toll free)

                                Concord Township, OH  44077                             e-mail:  calilor@aol.com

 

Web Site:  www.cleveland.catholicnet.com/contemplative