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eNews February 2023
We embrace the process of transformation in Christ, both in ourselves and in others, through the practice of Centering Prayer.
How many, how many, how many Make up a world! And then I think of that old idea: the singular and the eternal. One cup, in which everything is swirled Back to the color of the sea and the sky Imagine it! Mary Oliver, "Why I Wake Early"
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"God's diversity is manifested in the multitude of reactions of human beings. This diversity is not meant to lead to wars, as it has in human history, but to the enrichment of perceiving God from the infinite number of perspectives that human beings can perceive" Thomas Keating, "That We All May Be One", pg. 28-29
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As we look forward to United in Prayer Day (3/4/23) let us be grateful for our Centering Prayer participation~ for it filters "the very real toxins of violence and hate that are so present in our world." CO Administrator Mary Jane Yates reminds us this year that "each breath we take during our daily prayer sessions is an opportunity to breathe in the pain and violence of our world and breath out the utmost charity that is gifted to us in the healing silence of contemplative prayer." I hope this eNewsletter guides us to the many opportunities for our participation in "healing a violent world".
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COP News: Mark your calendars!
- March 3/4: United in Prayer Day
- March 11: Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop in Mother of Sorrows Parish.
- April 14/15: COP retreat at Villa Maria, April 14/15, with Dr. Susan Muto
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Upcoming Events and Retreats |
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March 3/4: United in Prayer Day Join the global Centering Prayer Community for this extraordinary day of prayer. "In the global unity of silence as God’s first language,we hold vigil for suffering humanity and all creation,and we honor Fr. Thomas Keating’s birthday (March 7)and the growing presence of Christ among us"
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March 11: Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop Mother of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, Murrysville - One-Day Workshop & 3 evening follow-up sessions
- 8:30 Registration/Continental Breakfast
- Workshop 9:00-Noon
- More Information and Registration: click HERE
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April 14/15: COP Spring Retreat Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh Presents:
The Triple Way to Transformation Retreat at Villa Marie Education and Spirituality Center
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Our presenter will be Susan Muto, PhD., Dean of the Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality and Executive Director of the Epiphany Association. She is a renowned speaker and author who will present a mystical guide to the soul’s quest for God aimed at our understanding of how to live the threefold path of purgation, illumination, and union with God. This retreat will include three conferences which focus on the triple way to transformation highlighted in Scripture brought to light by such spiritual masters as St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Teresa of Avila, and Thomas Merton; all of whom in both style and content convey the goodness, truth, and beauty of living with the sacred. These conferences reveal that our thoughts, images, and hopes must be rooted in a calm, courageous peace, expressed daily in our care and concern for one another. Only then can we live to the fullest the virtues of silence, simplicity, solitude, and solidarity.
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Registration and Deposit of $50.00, Space is limited Deposit refundable prior to March 30, 2023 More Information and Registration: click HERE
Retreat Cost $150.00 includes: - Autographed book “Triple Way to Transformation” by Susan Muto
- Handouts
- April 14, 2023: Registration 3-5PM Dinner, Conference 1, Centering Prayer, Overnight Stay
- April 15, 2023: Breakfast and lunch, snacks, beverages, 2 conferences, morning and afternoon.
- Centering Prayer
- Opportunities for dialogue as well as silence
- Scholarships available.
- Depart 5:00 PM
- Option for Commuter Retreatants, Extended stay Saturday night, and limited double room occupancy.
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New from Contemplative OutreachThe new podcast series, Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, is available on all podcast streaming platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Play) and on our CO YouTube Channel.
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Each episode highlights Friends of Contemplative Outreach and their personal practice of Centering Prayer. You are invited to listen as our guests share insights about the teachings of Thomas Keating, how the practice impacts their work in the world and their thoughts about how Centering Prayer connects to the living traditions of contemplation and meditation.
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There are 15 Centering Prayer groups in the Pittsburgh area. Over the next newsletters, we invite each group to introduce themselves. Let's get to know each other!
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St.Andrew’s CP Group in Highland Park The St. Andrew’s Centering Prayer group began over 15 years ago under the guidance of Susy Robison. At the time it was attended by a small group of members. The members first met inside the church and later moved into the former Rectory. Many visitors attended the Wednesday
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evening CP over the years. Susy has more recently moved to another parish but the St. Andrew’s group has remained, facilitated by Bill Ghrist, a St. Andrew’s parishioner. The group is cofacilitated by Chris Volz, a Sacred Heart parishioner. During the years before Covid, the CP Group would begin with a short greeting time, prayer intentions, a 20 minute Silence, and then also include Lectio using the week's gospel readings. After Lectio, the group read from a few pages of selected books or watched one of Thomas Keating's videos. A short discussion followed. When Covid arrived, one of our members, Paula Zawadzki, faithfully helped the members attend the meetings on Zoom. Not only did this make attendance easier, but we were pleased to have a few newer members join us from other areas. The prayer group continues to meet on Zoom on Wednesday evenings using the same format but not including a book discussion. The Prayer group is presently discussing the possibility of meeting in person once a week while continuing on Zoom at the regular time. Please email Paula Zawadzki, {pazawadzki@comcast.net} if interested in attending the ongoing Zoom Centering Prayer at St. Andrews.
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COP Enrichment - Monthly Gathering COP monthly enrichment gathering will resume on Zoom January 30th. This gathering is for all those on the COPemail list. Each monthly Zoom gathering will include: - 20-minute centering prayer period
- Lectio Divina-style reading of 2-3 guidelines from Open Mind, Open Heart, Chapter 12, The Guidelines for Christian Life, Growth and Transformation
- Group discussion
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Word of the Week
A free program offered by Contemplative Outreach. A short message is sent each Sunday, which includes an image, Scripture, reflections and suggested practices followed by two weekly prayer groups for practice in community.
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Online Courses from Contemplative OutreachContemplative Outreach offers many online programs. Attending a workshop, a retreat, an online Centering Prayer group or participating in an online course with a global community is a great way of deepening one’s relationship with God and the experience of living a contemplative life.
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COP Resources: Books & Lending Library
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Special Price on Books: Each for only $10 plus postage
- Invitation to Love and Open Mind Open Heart by Father Keating
- A taste of silence by Fr. Carl Arico
- Too deep for words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina, with 500 scripture texts, by Thomas Hall
- Centering Prayer and inner awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault
Lending Library- Click COP RESOURCES for a complete list of resources that can be borrowed from the COP library.
Please call or text your requests to Chris Volz at 412-779-8269 (you may leave a voice message) or send me an email at chrisvolzu@gmail.com.
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1620 Beechwood Blvd #8 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15217 United States of America
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