POSTPONED
It is with regret that we announce the postponement of our retreat, “Centering Prayer: Weekend Immersion,” scheduled for October 8-10, 2021. We are hoping to reschedule it as a series of online events/winter practice gatherings in early 2022. More details will follow soon.
Retreat Theme:
This Zoom-only retreat will focus on Centering Prayer and the integration of consent in our lives. There will be communal Centering Prayer sessions each day. We will explore attentiveness to the wholeness of our being and open to the knowledge and presence resident in our bodies. Centering Prayer will open us to a deepening felt sense of presence. We will explore the calling to live into a higher mode of consciousness, one of abundance and liberation. This invocation comes with responsibility to remove the obstacles we have in us which arise from the addictive and reactive structures that restrict our growth.
We will meet online for Centering Prayer sessions and brief presentations with each session. In addition to reflection and prayer, you will be invited to practice attention throughout the weekend. We assume that participants have a regular practice of Centering Prayer.
This retreat is a collaboration between the Contemplative Outreach Chicago and Connecticut Chapters.
Presenters:
Alan Krema is a presenter of Centering Prayer and Welcoming Prayer for Contemplative Outreach. Alan is a Wisdom student of Cynthia Bourgeault and has completed the Living School program at the Center for Action and Contemplation. He is a long time practitioner of Centering Prayer as well as facilitator of several Centering Prayer groups. Alan currently serves as chapter coordinator for Contemplative Outreach Chicago and is a member of the Shalem Institute program for Group Spiritual Leadership.
Mike Smoolca is an experienced contemplative group and workshop facilitator and a dedicated teacher and student of contemplation and contemplative practices. He is a Contemplative Outreach presenter and coordinator for the Christian Contemplative Experience at Holy Family, Contemplative Outreach of CT and the Northern CT Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society. Mike is a practicing spiritual director and supervisor and BioSpiritual Focusing companion and instructor.
Chant Leader:
Frank Pendola is a commissioned presenter for Contemplative Outreach and serves the Contemplative Outreach of CT leadership team. He currently serves as music minister at local parishes in Rhode Island. Frank loves to lend his voice in chant or song as an aid to contemplative practice with friends from various denominations and spiritual traditions.
Registration Information:
The retreat will take place October 8-10. A Zoom link will be sent to your email by October 7th @ 6 PM (US Central Time) along with a schedule of retreat meetings and Centering Prayer sessions. When a meeting or CP session starts, click on the Zoom link to be connected to the retreat. Price is $50 per person. Scholarships are available, contact registrar@centeringprayerchicago.org for more information.
Session Timeframes (all times US Central Time):
- Friday – 7 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday – Centering Prayer at 7 AM to close at 8:30 PM with breaks for meals and afternoon rest from 1:30 to 3 PM
- Sunday – Centering Prayer at 7 AM; teaching and closing ritual from 9 AM to Noon.
Registration will close October 7th @ 6:00 PM (US Central Time).
Click here to register
Questions?
Please email registrar@centeringprayerchicago.org for any questions.