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It is a great joy to see
the teaching, the vision, and the network of Contemplative Outreach grow ever deeper roots
in our geographical area. The seven session
Introduction to the Centering Prayer Practice is being offered in Columbus, Toledo,
and Mansfield during this summer and fall. Contemplative Outreach of Mid Ohio will offer
its first Silent Saturday on September 13,
from 9:30 to 12:30 and host Fr. Bill Fickel, who will present Lectio Divina: Praying the Scriptures on November
1, from 10 to 4. Both of these events will be held at the St. Peter's Parish Center in
Mansfield.
We are also considering offering Formation for
Contemplative Outreach Service, which includes training for presenters of the
seven session Introduction to the Centering Prayer Practice. The prerequisites for
participation are as follows:
1) Participated in a seven session Introduction to the Centering Prayer Practice.
2) Established Centering Prayer practice of two twenty minutes of Centering Prayer for a
minimum of three years.
3) Participated in one of our 8 or 10 day Centering Prayer Intensive Retreats.
4) Studied Open Mind Open Heart by Fr. Thomas Keating, and his Spiritual
Journey Series. Preferably has also read Invitation to Love, The Mystery of Christ, and
Intimacy with God.
5) Has been recommended by the chapter coordinator.
If you feel called to participate in Formation for Contemplative Outreach Service,
please contact me as soon as possible!
This has already
been a wonderful year for our chapter. It began with a truly historic event when Roseanne
Havird, our regional representative, came to Mansfield to present a Facilitator Training.
The information Roseanne presented was exactly what we needed, and we welcome Wanda Dean, Emmy DeVore, Mary Holm, Paul
Isaac, Adele Sheffieck, and Bill Waldron to our facilitator team. The
United in Prayer Day was once again a very special celebration of our community, as the
members from our prayer groups came together to share in this day that celebrates our
Contemplative Outreach global network. In April, we offered our second four-day retreat at
Our Lady of the Pines in Fremont and it was a powerful time of healing and community. For
the fourth year, we celebrated Mother's Day with a weekend retreat at the Spiritual Center
in Maria Stein. It was a truly Pentecostal event!
It is my hope that all of us will continue to remain in
awe and celebrate and share the gifts that we have been so generously given. May we have
the courage to continue to remain open to God and the work of his Spirit.
Anita Donnan,
Coordinator |
