Healing the Violence

The Center for Action and Contemplation and Contemplative Outreach of New Mexico co-sponsored a weekend with Thomas Keating and Richard Rohr. These two great minds and hearts explored Healing Our Violence Through the Journey of Centering Prayer, July 12-14, 2002 at the Sheraton Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1100 folks attended

Many from Contemplative Outreach groups from surrounding states.
306 from New Mexico, 151 from Colo., 123 from Texas,
101 from Arizona, and 102 from California.
The overall comments were that it was an excellent conference.

A note from the President:
Gail Fitzpatrick-Hopler

As the President of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. I am honored to have worked with the Stephen Picha, the Staff of the Center for Action and Contemplation and Susan Rush the Coordinator of Contemplative Outreach of New Mexico to bring about this magnificent conference. It was the first conference of its kind in the history of both organizations. Fr. Thomas and Fr. Richard gave completely of themselves in their presentations and were overwhelming received.

It was my delight to stand in front of 900 people and offer an Introduction to Centering Prayer. It left me speechless to experience all of these people sharing 20 minutes of silence. My heart was deeply touched by the attentiveness, enthusiasm and joy of sharing the Psychological Effects of Centering Prayer with a group of 300 more smiling people.

Healing our violence begins in the hearts of each one of us and for me this conference was a tangible real life experience of Christians loving one another as Christ has loved us. I look forward to a continued friendship with Fr. Richard, Stephen and the Staff of the Center as we embrace our contemplative communities together.

The Eucharist

CO President Gail assists in the breaking of the bread at the Eucharist (final liturgy).  Fr. Richard Rohr celebrant.  Stephen Picha, Director of the Center for Action and Contemplation on left side of Gail.

Fr. Thomas Keating and Richard Rohr.

Both presenters spoke "To the heart and to the truth"
Fr. Keating was profound in his teaching