Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
March 27, 2002
9th annual Contemplative Outreach conference April 6
Father Thomas Keating, interfaith presenters featured at centering prayer event
Trappist Father Thomas Keating returns as keynote speaker for the ninth annual Contemplative Outreach of Colorado Conference 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6.
The conference will be held at the newly remodeled facilities at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, 14th and Washington streets, Denver.
Father Keating, founder and chair of the Board of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., will speak about centering prayer as it relates to the process of healing and forgiveness. The theme was selected in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Four workshop presenters also will discuss the spiritual aspects of healing and forgiveness: Rev. Jane Vennard of the United Church of Christ will examine how contemplative prayer heals one's spirit and in turn affects the healing of the world. Sufi teacher Sheikh Din Muhammad Abdullah Al-Dayemi will speak about healing and forgiveness in the remembrance of God. He also will dialogue with Father Keating during the closing session to deepen understanding of the mystical tradition of Islam. Margaret Johnson, an Episcopal laywoman and Contemplative Outreach staff member, will explore caring for the soul and how to become more fully present to that life principle. Psychotherapist and longtime Centering Prayer practitioner David Frenette will lead his audience through a presentation and experiential exercises to discover how transformation in Christ and emotional healing work together creating a foundation for a contemplative life.
Contemplative Outreach of Colorado functions as the local chapter of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in everyday life through the practice of centering prayer. The purpose of Contemplative Outreach is to share the centering prayer method.
The contemplative movement has deep roots in Colorado. In 1981, Father Keating moved to St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, where he currently resides. In 1987, at the invitation of then-archbishop, now Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, Father Keating offered centering prayer programs to all parishes of the archdiocese, which was the beginning of a systematic and intentional approach to teaching centering prayer. Today, people from around the world come to St. Benedict's Monastery to participate in monthly intensive retreats sponsored by Contemplative Outreach.
Sister Bernadette Teasdale, S.C.L., first hired 15 years ago by the archdiocese to coordinate the original programs, now serves as faculty for Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., and coordinator for Contemplative Outreach of Colorado and The Center for Contemplative Living in Denver. The center, managed by Sister Bernadette and operated by a large volunteer staff, has educated thousands of people in the method and practice of centering prayer through classes, retreats and special events. The center strives to maintain an ecumenical scope and to provide a support system to sustain spiritual development.
Conference registration fee is $65. Participants may order a Women's Bean Project box lunch for an additional $7.25 at the time of registration before Tuesday, April 2. For information and registration, call 303-698-7729.
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