Our Mission Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis is 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 contemplative dimension of the Gospel manifests itself in an ever-deepening union with the living Christ and the practical caring for others that flows from that relationship. The mission of Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis is to share the method of Centering Prayer and its immediate conceptual background. We also encourage the practice of Lectio Divina, particularly its movement into Contemplative Prayer, which a regular established practice of Centering Prayer facilitates. We identify with the Christian Contemplative Heritage. While we are formed by our respective denominations, we are united in our common search for God and the experience of the living Christ through Centering Prayer. We affirm our solidarity with the contemplative dimension of other religions and sacred traditions, with the needs and rights of the whole human family, and with all creation.  Our Programs are ecumenical DATE DAY LOCATION REGISTER Oct. 14, 2006 Saturday St. John Neumann House 3737 Washington Blvd. St. Louis, MO (Register Here) TBD, 2007 Saturday St. Matthew Episcopal Church 1551 Bennett Ave Warson Woods, MO (Register Here) TBD, 2007 Saturday St. Matthew Episcopal Church 1551 Bennett Ave Warson Woods, MO (Register Here) TIME: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm, registration starts at 8:00 am. COST: $25/person, includes entire course, today and the following sessions. REGISTRATION: Please print out the registration form and mail with payment.  If unable to print, mail payment with name and event date. The Introductory Course will help you find the God within and begin to listen with “the ear of your heart.”  During this program, you’ll learn about prayer as relationship, the simple method of Centering Prayer, how to deal with thoughts during prayer and how the fruits of the prayer become manifested in your daily life. There will also be periods of Centering Prayer so you can experience it for yourself. The Program begins with a 6-hour Saturday course followed by sessions of 90 minutes over the next weeks. At the follow-on classes you will pray, view a video by Fr. Thomas Keating and have time for questions and discussion.  When the full course is complete, attendees will be invited to form a new Centering Prayer Group, or join an existing one, for ongoing prayer practice and support. This Introductory Program is the foundation of our program offerings and is conducted by presenters commissioned by the International Office of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.   Spiritual Journey Video Series (Will not be offered in 2006) The Spiritual Journey Video Series (SJVS) is presented annually for those who wish to deepen their understanding of centering prayer.  Usually, this is the next part of the journey following the introductory program and establishment of an active centering prayer practice. The SJVS consists of viewing the video taped retreat presentations by Fr. Thomas Keating and group discussions.  We meet approximately every other week beginning in January and continuing through the first of December.  The SJVS is also a prayer group with the same group dynamics and is facilitated by a commissioned presenter.   Living Flame I & II (Will not be offered in 2006) The Living Flame program has been periodically presented in the St. Louis area with just over 150 participants since the first presentation.  Named after the works of St. John of the Cross, the program consists of two phases, each seven full days. One topic will be presented normally one day a month for seven months. Heavy holiday months and summer months are normally excluded.  Commissioned Living Flame presenters from around the United States travel to St. Louis to lead the discussions within their own area of expertise.   Silent Saturdays 2006 DATES LOCATION Feb 11 Apr 8 Jun 10 Aug 12 Oct 14 Dec 9 St. Matthew Episcopal Church 1551 Bennett Ave Warson Woods, MO TIME:   8:45 – 11:00 am COST: There are no fees for this series, but a free will offering will be gratefully accepted. REGISTRATION: Not necessary. Half-Day Mini-Retreats The day's format: We gather in silence at 8:45 am (coffee provided). We respectfully ask that socializing remain outside the prayer room and that late attendees enter the prayer room only during breaks. From 9:00 - 11:00 am, there are three, 30-minute Centering Prayer sessions and a silent break. At 11:00, there will be departure or fellowship.   Spiritual Enrichment Presentation 2006 DATES DAY LOCATION REGISTER April 8, 2006 Saturday St. Matthew Episcopal Church 1551 Bennett Ave Warson Woods, MO (Register here) 11:30am – 2 pm (following Silent Saturday) Rabbi James Goodman will give a presentation of techniques of spiritual development. Rabbi Goodman is a teacher of meditation, and his special interest is the Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah. He serves both Congregation Neve Shalom in Creve Coeur and Central Reform Congregation in the Central West End. Bring your own Brown Bag Lunch. Please call 314.918.8288 to reserve your space. A free will offering gratefully accepted.   United in Prayer Day 2006 DATES DAY LOCATION REGISTER March 18, 2006 Saturday St. Matthew Episcopal Church 1551 Bennett Ave Warson Woods, MO (Register here) TIME: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. DONATION: No charge. Free will offering only. RESERVATIONS: Due March 15. Print and mail reservation form. This day is set aside as an opportunity to pray concurrently with all members of Contemplative Outreach around the world.  We will begin and end with periods of Centering Prayer and during lunch, view a new video presentation by Fr. Thomas Keating. Please bring a brown bag lunch.  Beverages will be provided. A free will offering gratefully accepted.   Annual CO-Ltd. Conference in St. Louis this year! 2006 DATES DAY LOCATION REGISTER September 27 - October 1, 2006 Wednesday - Sunday The Sheraton Westport Lakeside Hotel 900 West Port Plaza St. Louis, MO 63146 (Register for all events at the National Website) The Contemplative Outreach Ltd. Annual International Conference The St. Louis Chapter will host the 2006 Annual Conference being held at The Sheraton Westport Lakeside Hotel.  It is time to mark your calendar and make plans to attend.  Many of you will also be asked to volunteer to help with hospitality and registration for the conference. Please be generous with your time and talent. To register for the Day of Enrichment and/or banquet only go to Register for 9-30 Visit the Contemplative Outreach, Ltd  web site  for additional information . Spring 12-Step Retreat 2006 DATES DAY LOCATION REGISTER March 10-12, 2006 Friday - Sunday Marianist Retreat Center Highway 109 Eureka, MO (Register here) TIME: Registration begins Friday at 4:30 pm, with dinner at 6:00 Concludes at 12 noon Sunday after lunch COST: $195 (private room and bath, linens and meals provided). Deposit of $100 due with registration. Balance due date: Feb 23rd REGISTRATION: Print and mail registration form with deposit or full fee. THEME: “Centering Prayer as an 11th Step Practice” RETREAT DIRECTORS: Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI and Jim McElroy   8-Day Intensive/Post Intensive Retreat 2006 DATES DAY LOCATION REGISTER June 18-25, 2006 Sunday - Sunday Il Ritiro Retreat Center H7935 St. Francis Rd Dittmer, MO (Register here) TIME: Registration begins Sunday at 9 AM.  Retreat ends on Sunday at 1 PM. COST: $495 per person (Deposit $100 with reservation, balance due June 1) REGISTRATION:  Print and mail registration form with deposit or full fee. RETREAT DIRECTOR: Fr. Justin Langille, San Diego, CA   Weekend 12-Step Fall Retreat 2006 DATES DAY LOCATION REGISTER November 17-19, 2006 Friday - Sunday Marianist Retreat Center Highway 109 Eureka, MO (Register here) 12-Step Weekend retreat featuring “Centering Prayer as an 11th Step Practice”. TIME: Registration begins Friday at 4:30 pm, with dinner at 6:00 Concludes at 12 noon Sunday after lunch COST: $200 (private room and bath, linens and meals provided) Deposit of $100 due Oct. 17. Balance due : Nov. 3 REGISTRATION: Print and mail registration form with deposit or full fee. THEME:  “Centering Prayer as an 11th Step Practice” This weekend retreat is recommended for people familiar with 12-Step recovery who are interested in learning the method of Centering Prayer as an 11th step practice. For new practitioners, and Introductory Workshop in the Method of Centering Prayer is available during the retreat which includes conferences, periods of Centering Prayer, time for solitude and fellowship.  The 11th Step — “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God…” RETREAT DIRECTOR:  Fr. Bill Sheehan