Contemplative Outreach Newsletter
Volume 17, No. 2, Fall 2003/Winter 2004

Invitation to Generosity
by Fr. Carl J. Arico, Campaign Co-chair

We are just beyond the middle of our 5-year campaign for $2,500,000 to meet the needs of our growing global network. It is certainly a miracle of God's grace that so many women and men are being drawn to Centering Prayer. It is the power of prayer that is causing the network of Contemplative Outreach to grow globally. At this printing we have reached 1,750,000 in contribution, pledges and grants. We are so thankful.

As you know Contemplative Outreach will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in 2004. We have decided to have a 20th Anniversary tour from 2003 to 2005. Fr. Thomas Keating, Gail Fitzpatrick-Hopler, and I will be giving chapters the opportunity to have us come for a weekend. Yes, all three of us plus Marie Howard who is our special event coordinator for the annual conference and for fundraising.

Here is what we are planning to do. On Saturday we will have a special morning and afternoon session with the leadership of a chapter and in the evening, a special dinner with potential major donors. On Sunday a fundraising event inviting all the members of Contemplative Outreach and their guests to an inspiring talk by Fr. Thomas Keating, a presentation of our needs, a special appeal for financial support, and an opportunity to meet all of us personally.

I invite coordinators and contact persons to call Marie (310-823-5863) to make plans for 2005. The response has been overwhelming: we are completely booked for 2004. Our campaign events played a major role in building community with the spiritual network along with raising funds. It has been an awesome experience for everyone.

Let me leave you with this reflection which Cathy McCarthy, the co-chair, prepared for our campaign bulletin, THE INVITATION, that is sent out every 4
months to our campaign contributors. If you would like a copy of this bulletin, feel free to contact me.

"Money, whatever our particular relationship with it is, often has us tied in knots and keeps us UNFREE. An inappropriate energy around money (getting it, spending it, losing it, hoarding it) comes from FEAR, a lack of total trust in God's Providence. We must be honest and fearless in seeking to know, in truth, what our real relationship with money is...and how enmeshed [we are] in our needs for control, security and affection."

Thanks again for all your help and prayers. More next issue.

Options for Giving:

Bequests/Wills; Individual Charitable Trusts; Long-term Appreciated Securities; all offer tax benefits.

Please contact us if you would like information about these options. Contemplative Outreach is designated as a public charity under 501 c 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, all contributions are tax deductible.

 

Peacemaking // The President's Letter // Invitation to Generosity
The Board of Trustees // Sought Through Prayer & Meditation
The Spanish Corner // International Outreach // Updates