Upcoming Retreats & Workshops
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Nov 13 - 15 Centering Prayer Weekend Dec 4 - 6 Centering Prayer Weekend Jan 22 - 24, 2010 Centering Prayer Weekend Feb 19 - 21, 2010 Centering Prayer Weekend Mar 12 - 20, 2010 8-Day Intensive Retreat April 9 - 11, 2010 Centering Prayer Weekend Jun 2 - 22, 2010 21-Day Centering Prayer Immersion Retreat Jun 24 - 27, 2010 4-Day Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat Jun 24 - Jul 1, 2010 8-Day Intensive Retreat Jun 27 - Jul 1, 2010 5-Day Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat Jul 25 - Aug 1, 2010 Centering Prayer 8-Day Post Intensive Retreat Jul 28 - Aug 1, 2010 5-Day Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat |
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Welcome to the October issue of the Contemplative Outreach of Central Pennsylvania newsletter. We are a chapter of Contemplative Outreach. Many thanks to Jerry Cierpilowski for his thoughts on Why is living in the present moment important? This month's question is, "What is the value of praying with others?" Please consider sending us a few words for the next issue. We'd love to hear from you, whether it's for the first time or you've contributed in the past. As you'll see in this issue, there is exciting news about our Chapter. We now have new Co-Coordinators -- Tim Reddington and Nancy Cord-Baran. And we have a new Resource Library, run by Claire Caputo. Please note that at the bottom of this newsletter is a Forward email link you can click to forward this newsletter to a friend. If you have suggestions or comments on the newsletter, please send them! Gwen Stimely and Jet Schneider, Newsletter Co-Editors p.s. This issue's photos come compliments of Oedi Oudshoorn via Jet Schneider. Thank you! |
Food for Thought
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 From Heartfulness: Transformation in Christ, with Thomas Keating and Betty Sue Flowers, a DVD/Audio Series on the Spiritual Journey, Contemplative Outreach, 2009.
Nothing is more beautiful than the uniqueness that God has created. You don't have to create the beauty - you've got the beauty. You don't have to create the freedom - you've got it. You don't have to create the image of God in you - you have it. You don't have to win over God's love - you have more than you know what to do with. (See the Contemplative Outreach website for information on the DVD from which the above exerpt was taken.) Back to Top |
Why is living in the present moment important?
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From Jerry Cierpilowski, Lock Haven  I continue to learn about "The Present Moment". It's difficult to live
there. I only recently have become aware that very, very often I'm somewhere in
the past or future. The simple awareness that I'm "there" and not "here" is
sometimes helpful to bring me back to the present moment, even if only for a
second or so. I am grateful for the many teachers and writers who are spending
time on this topic and offering suggestions or "techniques" on how to spend more
time in the present.
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New Chapter Co-Coordinators
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Our Chapter has existed for several years, with Sr. Therese Dush acting as the Chapter Coordinator. She has been asking for others to take over the position, partly because she has served her term, but also because it's important to have new people acting in service positions. There is a detailed description of the Coordinator's job, but the short description of the job is to do whatever possible to help carry out the Vision of Contemplative Outreach within the Chapter. All the Centering Prayer workshops and retreats that Sr. Therese has facilitated over the years, and the inspiration she has given to so many, say more than words can describe how she has contributed to that Vision. We are so grateful. Now, Tim Reddington and Nancy Cord-Baran have generously offered to take on the position as Co-Coordinators. Of course, Sr. Therese will continue the work she believes in so strongly. But Tim and Nancy will take on the formal Coordinator role for the Chapter. Thanks so much to both of you!
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Chapter Resource Library
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A new and wonderful thing! Sr. Therese, on behalf of Bethany, has donated a variety of videos to the chapter library, which Claire Caputo has generously offered to manage. This means that anyone -- any individual or prayer group -- may borrow materials. Your only cost will be the cost of mailing with insurance. Materials include videos from the Spiritual Journey series, and other videos featuring Thomas Keating, David Frenette, Gail Fitzpatrick-Hopler, and more. We will get the complete list onto the web site. In the meantime, if you are interested in borrowing materials, please contact Claire to make arrangements. Also, Sr. Therese donated a box with 24 VHS tapes of the Spritual Journey Series by
Fr. Thomas Keating to the Library at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in State
College, so interested groups or individuals in the area could borrow them from
there, to watch and learn from them.
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Vision of Contemplative Outreach
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 Purpose
The purpose of Contemplative Outreach is to support one another in the process of Divine transformation through the practice of Centering Prayer.
Who We Are
Contemplative Outreach is a spiritual network composed of individuals and small faith communities committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in everyday life. A commitment to the regular practice of Centering Prayer is the primary expression of belonging to the spiritual network.
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Please Share!
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What is the value in praying with others?  Please write a few words (or lots of words!) and send them to us. Submissions received by December 31st will appear in the January newsletter. Please include your town and note how you would like your name to appear - Anonymous, Initials, or Full Name. Suggestions?If you have suggestions for the newsletter, suggestions for "Please Share" questions for future issues, or comments of any sort, please send them to us. Back to Top |
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