Participants who attend a Centering Prayer introductory workshop may decide to join an existing prayer group or form one of their own. The groups generally meet weekly or every other week to share their experience of Centering Prayer and growing relationship with God. Many groups decide to view videos or read and discuss books by Fr. Thomas and others to deepen their individual understanding of their spiritual practices. Formats usually include a session of Centering Prayer and discussion and sharing. These small faith communities build trust and unity while encouraging and supporting members on their spiritual journey. If you would like help finding a prayer group, please contact the facilitators’ team leader at: groups@centeringprayerchicago.org
Prayer Groups via Zoom
During the pandemic, several Chicago-area groups are meeting via Zoom and are welcoming new members. Here are four invitations to participate:
- Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina every Thursday 9:30-10:15am. Contact Bob Gorman at rbrtgorman@protonmail.com
- Centering Prayer Group every Saturday 9:30-10:30am. Contact Bill Epperly at bill@integralawakenings.com
- St. Katharine Drexel Church every Tuesday 8:30-9:30am. Contact Lori Dressel at lorijdressel@gmail.com
- St.Mary of Emig Centering Prayer Group Tuesday 6:30 – 7:30pm. Contact Rose Magiera for link and phone number – rmmagiera@gmail.com
- North Park Covenant Church, Monday 7:30pm. Contact Sarah Hillabrant, (773) 509-1095, yoopergirl@hey.com
- Contemplative Worship, every Wednesday, 5:00pm. Contact Jenny Russel at – jlr8546@yahoo.com
- St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Schererville, Indiana, Monday, 6:00 PM. Contact Peggy Kolarik, peggy.kolarik@att.net, 219-322-1886
- Northern Illinois Zoom Centering Prayer Group, every Saturday 9:30 – 10:15am. Contact Anne Smith 815-245-4088 or Kathy Putnam 815-568-7641, Katiairel@aol.com
Offerings in the Contemplative Outreach Meditation Chapel
The national website of our parent organization features an Online Meditation Chapel that is very easy to use and provides the opportunity to see, hear and join in silent prayer with others from all over the world. You must first register to attend the meetings in the Chapel. You can do that by using the calendar link. Once you know what chapel your desired meeting is in, use the chapel link.
Meditation Groups – Groups meet via Zoom at all hours of the day and night and are open to anyone. There is no cost/fee to attend, charging is prohibited. A friend writes: “I have been attending meditation in the virtual Keating Chapel and had a lovely experience. The facilitator was very good!” For further information, visit the calendar or chapel listing.
In-Person Prayer Groups
Note: Many groups are not meeting in person due to the pandemic, but some are. Please call or email in advance. For further information, contact Sandy Janowski at 847-414-8838.
(listed by city)
Chicago
Monday, 7:30 PM
- North Park Covenant Church, 5250 N. Christiana, Chicago, IL 60625
- Sarah Hillabrant, (773) 509-1095, yoopergirl@hey.com
Tuesday, 6:00 PM – Please call first
- Grace Place Episcopal Church, 637 Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60605, Second floor sanctuary
- Marilynn Rochon, (312) 371-3702, rochonmj1@gmail.com
Tuesday, 7:45-8:15 AM
- “Sacred Pause” in Timothy Chapel
- First Presbyterian Church, 126 East Chestnut, Chicago, IL 60611
-
Thomas Schemper 312-787-8425, tschemper@fourthchurch.org
Saturday, 9:00 AM (currently via Zoom)
- St. Simons Episcopal, 717 Kirkhoff Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
- Anna McKinley 847-414-8609, anna.mckinley@hotmail.com
- Vincent Ehret 312-493-3836, vintnersvantage@gmail.com
Clarendon Hills (12-step meeting format)
Tuesday, 7:00 PM
- AA Meeting with 11th Step Silent Meditation
- For those who want to give up alcohol or drugs, only
- Church of the Holy Nativity 275 S Richmond Ave, Clarendon Hills
- Contact: Brian Bullock, 773-372-3057, reiki_now@yahoo.com
Floyd Knobs (Indiana)
First and Third Tuesday, 6:00 PM
- Sacred Cross Oratory, 3682 US 150, Floyd Knobs, Indiana (www.ecc-usa.org/min ff/SCO/index,html)
- Pudge Becker, 812-786-
0222, pudgekim@gmail.com
Joliet
Tuesday, 1:00 PM
- First Presbyterian Church, 805 Western Ave. Joliet, IL 60435, Room 210
- Chuck Tomashek, (815) 729-4532, (815) 954-6276, chuck_tomashek@msn.com
Machesney Park
Monday, 1:00 PM
- Home of Pat Walker, please call for directions
- Pat Walker, (815) 637-4677, patpat3030@aol.com
- Dina Lauman, (815) 209-6036, beavegan12@gmail.com
Naperville
Tuesday, 7:00 PM
- Currently meeting online
- Alan Krema, alkrema@gmail.com
Northfield
Thursday, 7:00 PM
- Convent of the Holy Spirit, 319 Waukegan Rd, Northfield IL 60093
- Leonette Kaluzny, leonettekaluzny@gmail.com, 847-881-8424
Oak Park
Saturday, 8:30 AM
- Ascension Catholic Church, 808 S. East Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304
- David Anderson, (708) 848-2703, ext. 235, d.anderson@ascensionoakpark.com
Tuesday, 4:00 PM
- St. Edmund’s transcept, 188 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302
- Bob Gorman, rbrtgorman@protonmail.com
Orland Hills
Second Tuesday of each month, 10:00 AM
- The Cornerstone
- Fr. Bill Gubbins Center for Faith Formation (corner of 94th Ave. and 167th St.
- Marge Quinn, (708) 403-0101
Palatine
Wednesday, 2:30 PM (Zoom only)
- Diane Kelly, (847) 409-9444, diane@dkhomes.com
Palos Park
Tuesday, 5:30 PM (Zoom only)
- “Silent Hour Tuesdays”, Church of the Transfiguration (Episcopal), 12219 S. 86th Ave., Palos Park
- Br Alberto Varona, aevarona@gmail.com
Park Ridge
Wednesday, 7:00 PM
- Mary Seat of Wisdom, 1335 S. Clifton, Park Ridge, IL 60068, Clark Ministry Center Chapel
- Phil Jackson, (847) 813-9231, Jaxon900@aol.com
Princeton
Wednesday, 8:30 AM
- Open Prairie United Church of Christ, 25 E. Marion St. Princeton, IL 61356
- Sue Carlson, (309) 657-8312, mail@openprairie.org
Schaumburg
Tuesday, 7:30 PM
- St. Mathews Parish Center, 1001 E. Schaumburg Rd.
- Ed Tummillo, (847) 891-1220, aeterra@gmail.com
St. Charles
Second Friday of Each Month, 10:30 AM
- Healing Gardens, 37 W. 249 Dean St., St. Charles, IL 60175
- Deborah Marqui, (630) 377-1846, deb@dmarqui.com
Western Springs
St. John of the Cross offers five options:
Monday, 10:30 AM – (phone conference)
- St. John of the Cross, Addiction & Recovery, 11th step of 12-step program, all are welcome even if not in a 12-step program –
- St John of the Cross groups practice Christian Meditation rather than Centering Prayer
- Janet, 708-246-4866, jccadc@sbcglobal.net
Tuesday, 7:30 PM (Zoom only)
- Joan, 708-203-7424, craw9388@gmail.com
Wednesday, 2:30 PM (in person & zoom)
- St. John of the Cross, 5005 S. Wolf Rd. Western Springs, IL 60558, Room 3 in parish center (enter through door on south side of building) or on Zoom
- St John of the Cross groups practice Christian Meditation rather than Centering Prayer
- Joan Binder, 708-699-1002, billjoanbinder@sbsglobal.net
Friday, 7:00 PM (phone conference)
- Janet, 708-246-4866, jccadc@sbcglobal.net
Saturday, 8:00 AM (in-person & zoom)
- St. John of the Cross, 5005 S. Wolf Rd. Western Springs, IL 60558, Room 3 in parish center or on Zoom (enter through door on south side of building) or on Zoom
- St John of the Cross groups practice Christian Meditation rather than Centering Prayer
- Betsy, 708-246-8315, wccmchgo@gmail.com
Wheaton
Second Thursday of the month, 9:00 AM
- Hope Presbyterian Church, 1771 South Wiesbrook Rd.
- Carol Urban, 630-835-4420, Urbanc9@comcast.net
Winnetka
Tuesday, 2:00 PM – Please call or email first – NO MEETINGS DURING AUGUST
- Christ Church Winnetka (Episcopal), 470 Maple Street, Lea Room
- Elizabeth Clemmitt, (312) 618-1238, elizabeth.clemmitt@gmail.com
Woodstock
Saturday, 9:30 AM
- St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 503 W. Jackson
- Bette Chwalisz, 815-236-9193, bette.chwalisz@gmail.com