Contemplative Outreach News
Volume 23,  Number 1 · December 2007

Quick Links
Breathed by the Spirit By Fr. Thomas Keating ~ From the President  ~ New Resources ~ Outreach 
Reader's Reflections ~ Resource Faculty ~ The Spanish Corner ~ Regional Updates

Reader's Reflections

Remembering Mary  Safari in a Wordless Prayer   A Lucky Woman

Remembering Mary
by Anne Mazza

Editor’s Note:
Fr. Thomas Keating considers Mary Mzrowski to have played a most important part in the beginnings of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. Most of the prayer practices now available within Contemplative Outreach were developed by Mary out of her own spirituality

Frequently, as I travel around the country, to meetings, and presenting Contemplative Outreach Programs, a discussion begins among the group about our varied experiences of the Spiritual Journey—-a sharing of our “roots” in Centering Prayer. 

My “roots” story began when I met Mary Mzrowski, one of the founders of Contemplative Outreach, at a Divorced and Separated Catholics meeting in Westbury, Long Island, New York.

Mary was recruiting people to join her Bible Study Group. It caught my interest—so I joined. Gradually, Mary would introduce us to new ideas. 

First it was “sitting quietly” for a few minutes before reading Scripture, then Centering Prayer. We learned and practiced whatever she taught. 

Soon, I was invited to join Mary’s prayer group. Every Sunday night, we gathered in Mary’s living room, prayed, read the “Life of St. Catherine of Sienna” and shared our problems, which were many, since we were mostly single parents of teenagers.

Many times, I didn’t agree with the solutions that were offered, and I definitely didn’t “get” Catherine of Sienna, so I vowed never to return. But the next Sunday, I found myself in weekend traffic, traveling east on Long Island for “Prayer Group”. 

Each week Mary left us with many things to think and pray about. One of which was “to Let Go” of attachments. That was upsetting enough! Then she gave us a “lived experience” by leaving job, family and friends on Long Island and moving to a “Contemplative Live-In Community” in Connecticut, later named Chrysalis House. By this time, there were quite a few Centering Prayer groups on Long Island and Queens, and we all were somewhat stunned at Mary’s leaving. But, inspired by the Holy Spirit, we continued on the “Journey” and our prayer groups grew and multiplied. 

Mary’s untimely death, while in Colorado, presenting a “Welcoming Prayer” workshop, was a shock to me and our groups on Long Island. But, her influence in my life has been an important part of my growth along the Spiritual Journey. Her acceptance of God’s will helped me to stop asking “Why?” and “How?” Instead, I’m learning to surrender to God’s action, not only in the Centering Prayer period, but in my life—to simply ask for God’s help without adding instructions.

Remembering Mary  Safari in a Wordless Prayer   A Lucky Woman

After years of  daily practice  and devotions, The many words of prayers  begin to fail. To continue as before becomes so painful that the sole solution seems to be Give up, abandon prayer! But listen  as the Spirit calls Deep into the  wordless dark. Make safari to the silent heart, Where the midday mind is left behind. Surrounded by the stillness, Awed by Presence in the night,

Share the ever-living Word of Christ, And become his never-ending prayer. So unable to find  proper words to pray Becomes a blessing, For the spirit helps using our weakness, And speaks for us before the  Father’s face, In a wondrous  wordless way, That only God can understand And prayers,  the words we try to say or do Become prayer,  the Word that  says it all for you.

The meaning of Safari is to go on a journey. This poem was anonymously written by a hermit living in the desert with the bushmen. He has published a book entitled “Safari of the Spirit”.

Remembering Mary  Safari in a Wordless Prayer   A Lucky Woman

A Lucky Woman

A Letter Received by the International Resource Center

I am at the beginning of a six-year prison term. To many this last statement might sound tragic, but the fact that I spent a year fighting a life sentence puts it all in a much different perspective. 

The reason for my letter is to share with you how contemplative prayer has completely turned my life around, with the incredible help of a prison chaplain, who donates countless hours to the women at this detention facility in California. When I met him I was a third strike candidate facing a term of no less than 30 years to life.

I was angry, lost and terrified at the very real prospect of a life sentence. Like I had for more years than I care to count, I channeled all these feelings into one I was far more familiar and comfortable with—RAGE—and I stomped around the housing unit where I was assigned like a Big Class Bully. 

The chaplain walked in one day and set up for his weekly meditation. I helped set up chairs and started to walk away when he called out to me, “Excuse me, Miss, I would really like if you would stay.”

I did stay and that simple act of courtesy from a gentle-mannered chaplain turned into a whole new way of life for me. You see because of the gifts he generously shared I have the golden opportunity to use these six years to be alone with my Lord, to hear God in the silence, and feel Jesus’ presence in the simplest acts of human contact! 

Now, aren’t I one of the luckiest women you’ve ever received a letter from!

Quick Links
Breathed by the Spirit By Fr. Thomas Keating ~ From the President  ~ New Resources ~ Outreach 
Reader's Reflections ~ Resource Faculty ~ The Spanish Corner ~ Regional Updates