Contemplative Outreach Chicago

New course from Spirituality and Practice: The Transformation of Suffering - 2026
By Contemplative Outreach, Thomas Keating

Info:
https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/course/custom/105/the-transformation-of-suffering-2026

Do you remember this hymn from your childhood? It came to mind during a centering session today.

Have you watched any videos by Contemplative Living? Let us know what you think?

Tips For Contemplation - Contemplative Living On this week's episode of the Contemplative Living Podcast, we expl...

On Thursday, May 21, we have Theodore Richards presenting on his new book What Happened to Icarus: Encountering the Unfathomable in a World in Crisis. Information can be found here: https://csjthewell.org/event/what-happened-to-icarus/
On Thursday, May 28, Rev. Kristie Finley will be offering a virtual Create Your Own Hand Labyrinth event. Information can be found here: https://csjthewell.org/event/create-your-own-hand-labyrinth/

"The Hidden Ground of Love: Why Thomas Merton Looked East to Find the West," is a one-day conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Parmer Hall, Dominican University, 7900 W. Division, River Forest. Hosted by the Siena Center at Dominican University, this gathering brings together members of the International Thomas Merton Society and the broader contemplative community for a day of talks, discussion, and shared reflection, exploring how Thomas Merton's dialogue with Eastern religious traditions deepened his Christian contemplative vision. Speakers include Sister Judith Sutera, OSB; Professor Joseph Quinn Raab; and Richard Putz. Donation, $25, which includes lunch. To register, visit https://www.dom.edu/arts-minds/st-catherine-siena-center. For more information, contact Mike Brennan at 773-447-3989, or visit https://ccitms.blogspot.com.

We're excited about the Introduction to Centering Prayer retreat May 15-17 at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, WI. Joanne McElroy and Melissa Pazen of the Contemplative Outreach Chicago Circle of Service will present sessions on Saturday to help you become well-versed in this contemplative practice.
In addition (or instead), you can simply use this time away for whatever fills your soul: reading, resting, walking the acres of restored prairie and woods, sharing wonderful meals, and worshiping with your brothers and sisters in faith.
The cost for this retreat will be $400 per participant. This includes four meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner Saturday, breakfast Sunday) and two-night accommodation (single or double occupancy). You can contact Melissa Pazen at [email protected] for more information or, to register, please contact First Congregational Church of Dundee Office Manager, Chris Awe, at [email protected] or 847-426-2161.

This graphic gives a three minute intro to Centering Prayer.
You cannot do it wrong!

Three week email program from Spirituality and Practice. Monday, April 6 - Friday, April 24. $42.

Catalysts for Change - 2026 by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat | E-Course | Spirituality & Practice (April 6 – 24) Readings and spiritual practices to help you make small steps to turn your life around.

Centering Prayer Gathering During the Democratic National Convention
August 19 – 22, 2024
I and a few members of our local Centering Prayer community are going to hold a communal Centering Prayer gathering near the grounds of the Democratic National convention in Chicago. We will hold this gathering at St. Andrews chapel on the grounds of St Leonard’s Ministries, 50 N. Hoyne, a few blocks from the United Center where the convention is being held.
We will sit in mediation without engaging any issues. We will simply hold our awareness of and consent to the divine nature which we all share as our human birthright. This is a Centering Prayer gathering, but anyone with a practice of silent mediation is welcome. We will provide guided instruction into Centering Prayer for those who may not be familiar with it. This prayer is intended as a transformation of consciousness as participants let go of engaging thoughts related to issues and polarization into the simple consent and openness to the presence and action of the divine within us.
The release and consent we experience in Centering Prayer is an act of love which holds others in compassionate awareness without our mind clinging to energetic and emotional narratives. This is indeed challenging, even counter cultural as we are bombarded each day with stories of “othering.” In Centering Prayer we come to know, with our whole Being, the nature of our source, which is the source of all and which shows each of us to be connected into One divine source.
The awareness generated by a communal intentional Centering Prayer gathering puts a new form of consciousness into the human family. The divine indwelling is sensed as a communal presence and extends outward as an invitation to notice and hold this presence to everyone.
Please consider joining us during these days. If you wish to meditate with us, but are not able to join us in person, we encourage you to fill out this document to indicate the times, dates, and place from which you will be meditating. In doing so, you will join others from around the country who are adding to the energetic presence we are creating.
If you choose to participate in-person, you're invited to sit with us for a few minutes or to stay for as much of the meditation period as you like. We will be meeting in the Chapel at St. Leonard’s at these times:
Monday August 19 from 10 am – 12 noon.
Tuesday and Wednesday from 12 noon – 4 pm.
Thursday from 2 pm – 5 pm.

If you are coming, please let us know when you will join at St. Leonard’s by email at [email protected]. We will forward to you details as they arise about parking and transportation.
In Great Love,
Alan Krema