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First Things
Morning Centering Prayer for Peace
7:00 AM CT, DAILY Sustaining the intention of peace for the Twin Cities,
we hold prayerful silence together, in unity, in love and support for all people in our communities. Hosted by facilitators from the Minnesota Contemplative Outreach community Discerning God’s Deepest Desires
Thursday, December 11th – Sunday, December 14th Benet Lake Retreat Center Benet Lake, WI Presented by Contemplative Outreach of South East Wisconsin Come away and re-treat yourself the way the Divine Lover of Your Life would have you be treated. Take time to reflect on God’s deepest care and desire that is just for “you.” 
Advent Silent Retreat Weekend
Friday, December 12 - Sunday, December 14 St. John's Abbey Guesthouse Collegeville, MN A silent winter weekend of Centering Prayer. Experience the abiding presence of God in a praying community. Facilitated by Mark Thiel and Jody Johnson. Unfortunately, the Advent Retreat is full. 
Thursday Evening Centering Prayer
7:00 PM CT, Thursdays Zoom: https://meditationchapel.org/peace-chapel/ Facilitated by Laurie Erickson 
Illuminations of Love
Words of Thomas Keating, OCSO Illustrated by Meridith Schifsky With full color illustrations and wisdom from Fr. Thomas Keating, this beautiful booklet is meant to be a companion for Lectio and Visio Divina. “With a grateful heart for the legacy he left us, and gratitude to the members of Contemplative Outreach who continue to make his teachings available today." – Meridith Schifsky, March 2024, Duluth, Minnesota You may order your copy, here. |
Sunday Gatherings
(This is the same link as is used for the 7:00 a.m.
Morning Centering Prayer for Peace) You are invited to participate in the 2025 Advent Sunday Gatherings The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living By Thomas Keating November 30 - December 28 8:00 - 9:00 AM Central Time Starting Sunday November 30th, you are invited to participate in a 5-week series of Sunday Gatherings focusing on the Advent season.
During this 5 week period, we will read and reflect on one reading per week, to minimize homework during this busy season. The readings will be taken from The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living, which uses excerpts from the works of Fr. Thomas Keating to meet the changing themes throughout the year. You are welcome to join as you are able; it is not required to attend every week. Those who are registered will receive an email with the reflection prior to the Sunday it will be discussed. Participants are encouraged to read the suggested materials throughout the week, considering the content prayerfully. Participants then convene as a group on Sunday mornings from 8 – 9:00 AM Central Time, to be in community with fellow participants and share how they experienced the weekly reading and their Centering Prayer and Welcoming Prayer practices. All are welcome, no prior knowledge or practice is necessary. If you are not already registered, please register (click on the link above), so you can receive the weekly email, along with any programming updates. You do not need to register if you attended the Fall 2025 Series on Mystical Hope. There is no cost for participation. While we will be emailing out the five readings used for this series, the book, The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living is available on AMAZON in paperback ($18.86) and hardcover ($12.49), (used copies are less expensive). Weekly Schedule: November 23 No meeting: Thanksgiving Week November 30: Humility December 7: Celebrate the Mysteries of Christ December 14: Advent Liturgy Includes Mary December 21: Fulfill the Duties of Our Job in Life December 28: Significance of the Marriage Feast of Cana 
Looking for a way to strengthen your daily practice and hold silence in community? Click here to join the worldwide community that is practicing Centering Prayer online, together. Minnesota Contemplative Outreach Prison Ministry
Minnesota Contemplative Outreach is blessed with an active prison ministry that brings centering prayer to people who are incarcerated. We hold a centering prayer session at the chapel at the correctional facility at Stillwater on Monday afternoons from approximately 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and at the correctional facility at Shakopee on Wednesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Both locations can use more men and women volunteers. If you want more information about bringing this prayer to incarcerated individuals, please contact Mark Thiel. |
Welcome
- We are an ecumenical group of women and men volunteers ministering together to support and nurture the practitioners of Centering Prayer in Minnesota. We do this by providing teachers, sharing resources and building community.
- Centering Prayer is an ancient form of Christian meditation that deepens a practitioner's relationship with God.
- Minnesota Contemplative Outreach is one of more than 120 chapters in 53 countries formed by National Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., a worldwide spiritual network that provides support and resources for Centering Prayer Practitioners.
- We have 21 teachers offering introductory classes, retreats and other enrichment opportunities throughout the year. We also support Centering Prayer groups throughout the state.
- Please contact us if you have submissions for our blog, Presence & Action; are forming a new group; or would like to announce an upcoming event.