Learn & Pray the Centering Prayer Way - via Zoom
2022-06-28 17:00 - 2022-08-30 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online Zoom, Select a Country:
A weekly program of contemplative practice, study and support in Centering Prayer … a Contemplative Outreach Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop offered through Journey Center Online.
We will:
Learn, share, and pray the Centering Prayer method. You will gain knowledge, awareness, gifts and fruit in your life. You will discover this practice of letting go of anxiety, worry and hurry…to rest in the presence of the One who loves you.
We will meet online via Zoom: Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:00pm (Pacific Daylight Time) for 10 weeks.
Starts on 6-28-22, meeting weekly, and ends on 8-30-22

Contemplative Outreach Ontario Conference/Retreat
2022-07-15 15:30 - 2022-07-17 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Mount Carmel Monastery, 7020 Stanley Avenue, Niagra Falls, Ontario, L2G 7B7, Canada
Conference/Retreat organized by Contemplative Outreach Ontario.
The theme: Awakening to Oneness, with Mary Jane Yates, administrator of Contemplative Outreach Ltd.
Mount Carmel Monastery, 7020 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 7B7, CANADA
CDN$300, partial scholarship available.
Deadline to register: June 15, 2022
Contact information: Marie-Noëlle Maillard, logos302@sympatico.ca, or 905 372-1054 (landline)

“Unbinding Thomas Merton and Ourselves” - via Zoom
2022-07-16 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Internet – Online
A Half-Day Retreat led by the Leslye Colvin
Via Zoom
During his apostolic visit to the United States in 2015, Pope Francis described Thomas Merton as “a man of prayer, a thinker who challenged the certitudes of his time and opened new horizons for souls and for the Church.” This is beyond the man we know as a monk and writer, or is it?
Through her research of Merton, Leslye Colvin began to understand this description as she began to see him as model of the dynamic relationship between contemplation and activism that unbinds us to live the Gospel of Christ Jesus today – in our time and place.
Ponder with Leslye the connection between Merton’s activism and contemplation, and its lessons for contemplatives today.
About Leslye Colvin
Leslye Colvin is a contemplative activist, spiritual companion and writer. Inspired by the Catholic social justice tradition, she is passionate about encouraging diversity of thought and has a wide range of experience in promoting mission and expanding outreach. She has been published by National Catholic Reporter, and interviewed by America Magazine, Radio Veritas, U.S. Catholic, and Vatican Radio on the construct of race.
Leslye is the policy advocate for the National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. She is co-chair of the Board of Directors for NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, also serves on the Board of FutureChurch. She is a graduate of the Living School for Action and Contemplation, and the Haden Institute. Her blog, Leslye’s Labyrinth features writings from her African-American Catholic heart at bit.ly/leslyeslabyrinth.
Please see the link below to register. Times listed are Eastern Time Zone (New York)

With Merton & Keating's Roadmap, Where Do We Go from Here? - via Zoom
2022-07-16 10:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Internet – Online
Join us for a contemplative panel discussion with Ed Bacon, Vernon Dixon, Victor Kramer and David Rensberger. This inspiring event begins with a 20-minute Centering Prayer period. Then our panelists will share their thoughts on the timeless wisdom of Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating, drawing from their research and experiences. The panel’s dialogue will answer our questions and unveil where Merton and Keating direct our spiritual path forward.
Musical inspiration by Paul Reeves.
Moderated by Maggie Winfrey.
Our Panelists:
Ed Bacon
Thomas Merton inspired Ed to become the Episcopal priest he has been for almost four decades: where he taught his central passion: that Jesus embodied a Love-based life as opposed to a fear-based ideology. He has served at Mercer University and in churches in California, Mississippi, and Georgia. Author of 8 Habits of Love, he has been guest host for Oprah Winfrey’s Soul Series, where she named him “Soul Teacher” on her SuperSoul 100 List of voices elevating humanity. Ed serves on several boards, including Sr. Ilia Delio’s Center for Christogenesis. He and his wife live in Birmingham near their grandchildren. His website is www.Edbacon.co.
Victor Kramer
A scholar of American Studies, Victor is Professor Emeritus from Georgia State University. He has worked in religion and literature primarily researching Thomas Merton. He has written, edited, and compiled many books in extensive work with the International Thomas Merton Society. Victor edited Merton’s fourth volume of journals, Turning toward the World; and wrote Thomas Merton, Monk and Artist; as well as two oral histories about Merton and monasticism. He credits his wife Dewey for her invaluable, astute help A certified spiritual director, he gives retreats and days of reflection. He and his wife live in Decatur, Georgia.
Vernon Dixon
Born 76 years ago and raised in Georgia, Vernon counseled patients in his Christian Psychiatric practice for 38 years. After a blessed 7-day Centering Prayer retreat with Fr Thomas Keating, he and his wife Mary Joyce began teaching Centering Prayer and Fr. Thomas’ wisdom to many. A commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer workshops, he has facilitated two Centering Prayer groups for 20 years. He and Mary Joyce have led Intensive/Post-Intensive five-day Centering Prayer retreats at the Holy Spirit Monastery in Conyers for 15 years. They presently reside in Hiawassee, Georgia.
David Rensberger
David Rensberger grew up Mennonite in Indiana. Professor of New Testament at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary in Atlanta for 30 years, he continues to write and lead occasional workshops and retreats on the Bible and spirituality. Discovering mysticism in his late teens, Christian mysticism shortly after that, Thomas Merton 10 years later, and Centering Prayer in his late 40s, he is a vital member of the Atlanta chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society. David and his wife Sharon have two grown daughters and belong to Atlanta Mennonite Church and Oakhurst Baptist Church.
Please see the link below to register.
