Summer 2000 Newsletter

Albany, NY 

Coming July 28-30, Encampment 2000 An Ecumenical Gathering on Inner Peace and Social Justice at St. Bridget's Church in Copake Falls, NY (about one hour south of Albany). The intent is to bring contemplatives and actives together in dialogue to learn from one another and discern personal next steps in living out the Gospel. Speakers will include Gil Bailie (author of Violence Unveiled: Humanity at the Crossroads. 1996 Pax Christi Book award winner), Rev. George McClain (author of Claiming All Things for God), and others not yet finalized as of press time. Also included: concurrent high-school-and-up Youth Encampment, Taize Prayer three times daily, natural-food meals, natural setting. Come camp or stay with a local family. For complete details contact Bruce and Melinda Gardiner, 518-325-5546 or Email: Encampment 2000@yahoo.com. 

Long Island/Queens, NY 

Contemplative Outreach of Long Island/Queens is pleased to report the success of Living Flame #I & II Programs, which were held in the Fall/Spring of 1999-2000. The Programs have been prayerful, informative and community building. We have had wonderful opportunities through the Living Flame to reconnect with people from all over the metropolitan NYC/NJ areas who have been "Centering Pray-ers" for many years. Fr. Thomas Keating closed the program in April with his presentation on "The Night of Spirit." He also remained one more day to give a presentation at St. Raphael's Parish in East Meadow, LI. St. Raphael's has a Centering Prayer group as the result of hosting two Parish Missions given by Fr. Carl Arico. Our Annual United In Prayer Day, Centering Prayer Retreat Weekend and Monthly Days of Prayer were held in the Spring. In response to "What about next year?" questions, we are planning a series of Enrichment Days in the fall of 2000, which will include the Welcoming and Forgiveness Prayers, a Lectio Divina Workshop and Fr. Carl Arico's "Spiritual Quilt." We are happy to report that the Spirit has kept Centering Prayer alive and well in LI/Queens, NY. Anne Mazza, 516 794-8233. 

Milwaukee, WI 

Contemplative Outreach of Southeast Wisconsin will be sponsoring our first local Intensive/Post-Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat at the St. Francis Retreat Center in Burlington, WI. This retreat will run for eight days from June 11 to June 18, 2000 and will be staffed by Ann Mazza and Madeline Soo. For information, call Madeline at 414-961-2610 or email kksoo@execpc.com. Fr. Thomas Keating's visit to Milwaukee last fall sparked much interest in Centering Prayer in our area. Following his visit, we sponsored a Weekend Centering Prayer Retreat at the Siena Center in Racine with Fr. Bill Sheehan presenting the conferences. Several Introductory Workshops were held around the city from December through April. And this coming fall, we have three others scheduled, including one in Spanish. All of us who are commissioned presenters are happy to be able to serve the people in our local community. Presenting the Centering Prayer method to others deepens our own experience of the prayer. 

St. Louis, MO 

Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis welcomed the new millennium with 43 friends at a "Visioning Day" on Jan. 15 where we prayed for direction from the Holy Spirit and brainstormed about our future. The group enjoyed presentations from national faculty member Susan Komis on "10 Principles of Spiritual Leadership" and a management consultant spoke on "Situational Leadership" and individual leadership styles. A professional facilitator helped the group brainstorm about our strengths, weaknesses, obstacles and opportunities. As a result of our Visioning Day, this year we will focus on facilitator formation, volunteerism and fundraising. "The Night of the Spirit" by Fr. Thomas Keating is an album of five videotapes made in St. Louis at the Living Flame Retreat in 1998. It can be ordered by sending a $40 check (includes postage within the U.S. and mailer) to 11939 Manchester Road #402, St. Louis, MO 63131-4502. Postage outside the U.S. will increase the total due. We do not accept credit cards. For further information call 314-918-8288 or send an Email inquiry to bennettrh@earthlink.net. 

Walden, NY (Contemplative Outreach of Orange County) 

Our Website is up and most importantly - up-to-date - since the middle of January (www.centeringprayernys.org). Our new 2000 Calendar went in the mail mid-March and lists many new retreats and events...Centering Prayer and Tai Chi Chih (Sr. Juanita Morales); Uncovering Our Hidden Motivations (Marjorie Rafftery): A Visit to the Interior Castle Oct 6-8 Monica Freeman; a five-day retreat - Growing a Mature Conscience July 12-16 (Sr. Mary Anne Flanagan, Ph.D.). Our New Year's Retreat welcoming in the New Millennium (Fr. Bill Sheehan) was a huge success, and we are doing it again in 2000/2001. David Frenette (formerly with Chrysalis House) is returning to Orange County and facilitating two retreats here at St. Andrew's - a six-day Centering Prayer and Christian Contemplative Practice (June 6-11) and a weekend I'm really excited about - "Living the Welcoming Prayer in Daily Life", Dec. 15-17. The Nine Month Course: The Practice of Contemplative Living will finish its 11th year in May - there are no words to adequately express the transformation that occurs in the lives of all who participate in this Course. Joanne O'Neill and I are also completing the first year in Denver, and will return next year. Our Annual Day of Contemplative Enrichment with Fr. Thomas will be held on October 21, 2000 at the Presentation Center, New Windsor, NY. A brochure will be mailed mid-summer. All our other retreats and workshops are listed in the National Calendar of Events. We are slowly but surely moving out into Orange County with One Day Introductory and Follow-up events. Will have more to tell in the next issue. Cathy McCarthy 914-778-2102, or Email cathymc@frontiernet.net.

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