Adult Faith Formation Prayer Groups
MONDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP
A charismatic prayer group fostering praise and worship followed by a teaching component. The group meets every Monday morning in Room 162 after daily Mass. Contact: Sylvia SulaCENTERING PRAYER GROUP
HELP HEALING HOPE
You may be looking for all the "right stuff" in all the wrong places. If you are stressed, busy and burdened, you may need to download your burdens and "rest" in God.
Centering Prayer offers those who practice it, an opportunity to journey inward from your heart to the center of the universe - to God Himself, who in this prayer of silence, over time, will transform you into the person He intends that you become.
In the introduction to his book Open Mind Open Heart , Father Thomas Keating states, "Centering prayer is an effort to renew the teaching of the Christian tradition on contemplative prayer . . . . [which is] a process of interior transformation, a conversation initiated by God and leading, if we consent, to a divine union. One's way of seeing reality changes in this process. A restructuring of consciousness takes place which empowers one to perceive, relate and respond with increasing sensitivity to the divine presence in, through, and beyond everything that exists."
Scary stuff, but do not be afraid, God's love casts out all fear. God's presence, as experienced in centering prayer is like having a personal trainer for your soul. Another book written by Fr. Keating, The Human Condition , reiterates a story from the Sufi tradition to illustrate our human condition and is also a good example of how we looking in the wrong place for the "right stuff."
A Sufi master had lost the key to his house and was looking for it in the grass. Along came eight or ten of his disciples. They said, 'Master, what is wrong?' He said, 'I have lost the key to my house.' They said, 'Can we help you find it?' He said, ' I'd be delighted.' So they all got down on their hands and knees and started running their fingers through the grass. As the sun grew hotter, one of the more intelligent disciples said, 'Master, have you any idea where you might have lost the key?' The Master replied, of course. I lost it in the house.' To which the all exclaimed, 'Then why are we looking for it out here?' He said 'Isn't it obvious? There is more light here.'
Fr. Keating continues to comment, We have all lost the key to our house. We don't live there any more. We don't experience the divine indwelling. We don't live with the kind of intimacy with God that Adam and Eve reportedly enjoyed in the Garden of Eden and the Sufi master seems to have enjoyed before he lost his key.
To help find the key to your house, you might want to join us for Centering Prayer in Room 167, on the first and third Tuesday of each month, following the 8:30 am Mass. To learn more regarding Centering Prayer, call Cathy Smith at 630-548-1081, or Sr. Anne Hyzy at 630-355-4545 Ex 138.
If you have any questions, please contact Sr. Anne Hyzy via phone 630-355-4545 X-138 or via email to Sr. Anne