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eNews March 2023
We embrace the process of transformation in Christ, both in ourselves and in others, through the practice of Centering Prayer.
Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.
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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 (starting today at 9:00 pm!) 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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Saturday, March 11, 9 am - Noon Mother of Sorrows is hosting a Centering Prayer Introductory Program! In person
Presented by Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh
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This is a great opportunity to learn more about Centering Prayer. For those who already practice Centering Prayer, this event will be an enriching refresher. We hope you can join us! Workshop Saturday, March 11, 9 am-Noon Registration starts at 8:30 am. Location: Social Hall (lower level of church) The workshop will familiarize participants with the method of Centering Prayer and its conceptual background and offers two opportunities to experience the prayer. Follow-up SessionsTuesdays, 6:30 pm-8 on these dates:March 14, March 21, March 28, and April 4. Location at MOS: To be announced at the workshop. Participants are invited to attend four Follow-up Sessions which provide support, more background, and the time needed to establish a personal Centering Prayer practice.(Attending each follow-up session is encouraged but not required.)Trained practitioners from Contemplative Outreach will be at Mother of Sorrows on Saturday, March 11 to offer the Introductory Workshop on Centering Prayer. Click here to get to a form to sign up: March 11 Centering Prayer Registration FormRegistration forms are also available in the Mother of Sorrows Parish office, on the Mother of Sorrows social media sites, or by scanning the QR code below. The cost for the program is $20 and includes continental breakfast, the workshop, a book by Fr. Thomas Keating, and the Follow-up Sessions. Please make checks payable to Mother of Sorrows Parish. Scholarships are available; please contact Nancy Matteuzzi at NMatteuzzi@dioceseofgreensburg.org. For any questions, please contact Kristin Brennan ( knbrennan90@gmail.com, 412-874-1944) or Nancy Matteuzzi (email above).
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This half day online retreat will explore the similarities and differences between the Buddhist practice of Insight Meditation and the Christian practice of Centering Prayer. The unifying theme will be the emphasis in both traditions on intention, receptivity and interior silence. The goal will be to explore how these two traditions can be approached as to explore how these two traditions can be approached as complementary, affording a deepening spiritual journey when practiced together.
Taught by Keith Kristich, Closer than Breath and Ted Jones, Night Meditation Teacher and Father Keating's nephew $35 More Information and Registration: click HERE
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Three-centered awareness is crucial for experiencing Divine Presence; mind, heart, and body coming on-line and cooperating together. But too often, we experience shutdown in one or more of these centers.Join Phileena for this online contemplative experience. During our time together, Phileena will offer a mix of foundational teaching, guided group contemplation, and three-centered awareness practice. This event will include a session of Centering Prayer
Taught by Phileena Nikole $40.00 More Information and Registration: click HERE
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March 25 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Introduction to the Forgiveness Prayer – via Zoom Internet - Online
Presented by Contemplative Outreach Colorado
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Is there someone in your life whom you find difficult to forgive? The Prayer of Forgiveness is a powerful prayer that can help you forgive at the deepest level of your being. During this class, you will receive instruction on this prayer, developed by Contemplative Outreach founding member Mary Mrozowski. You will also have an opportunity for Centering Prayer as well as practice of the Prayer of Forgiveness. This class will include a session of Centering Prayer.Facilitator: Joanne Warner
$20.00 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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Mother of Sorrows CP Group in Murrysville On March 4, 2023, the Centering Prayer Group at Mother of Sorrows Church in Murrysville will reach a milestone of meeting for 17 years. Beth Juozitis and Maria Scapellato hosted an introductory workshop at Mother of Sorrows in 2006 and the centering prayer group was formed after that workshop. The group has continued to meet ever since. About half of the members are also Mother of Sorrows parishioners while the other half are from various Christian denominations.
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Over the last 17 years the group has changed in some ways, as when new members were welcomed, and when both happy or sad life changes meant long-time members could no longer attend. Mother of Sorrows leadership changed many times since the group began meeting, but each time the new church leadership fully supported the group. A Centering Prayer Introductory Program is being hosted on 3/11/2023 by the current parish leadership with help from the group.
In other ways. such as meeting for prayer and Lectio Divina, the group remains essentially the same. The group uses a variety of books and other publications to keep their discussions after prayer fresh and thoughtful. Commitment to the prayer and the Friday morning prayer group has fostered changes at the personal level, too. The fruits of the prayer, the ways it has guided members in their spiritual journey, and the wisdom gained along the way, have been shared and witnessed over the years.
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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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