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2012 
Schedule of Events & Retreats


8-DAY centering prayer RETREAT
May 13-20 (Sunday to Sunday) FULL : Waiting List Available
June 21 - 28 (Thursday to Thursday)

This retreat will help participants to deepen their contemplative journey in the contemporary world. Integration of contemplation and activity are cultivated in the silence, solitude, community support, and guidance in the time at Bethany. This process is aided through the practice of Centering Prayer and of Lectio Divina, as well as other prayer practices. (Massage Therapist available – not included in the cost.)

Prior Centering Prayer experience is required.

Arrival: 6pm
Departure: 11am
Offering: $400 per person
Deposit: $150


A Time Tailored for you!!

Looking for a gift for someone special, gift to give yourself and/or someone you love? An overnight or a day at Bethany to rest, relax, and be renewed.
Possible Dates Available: Any day beginning April 17-24, or May 29-31

A free will offering is requested. Bethany offers opportunity to pray with the Community, silence and solitude, spiritual direction and the Labyrinth.

~Overnight or just a day~ Email or call for more information

 


Centering Prayer Weekends:
The Practice of Contemplative Prayer

May 18-20
Centering Prayer & Gifts of the Holy Spirit - FULL : Waiting List Available

These retreats will help participants deepen their contemplative journey in the contemporary world. An ongoing process of formation enabling participants to create their own unique contemplative lifestyle in the contemporary world. Integration of contemplation and activity are cultivated in the silence, solitude, community support, and guidance in the time at Bethany. The process is aided by the development of relational prayer through the contemplative prayer practices.
 

Arrival: 6pm, Friday
Departure: 11am, Sunday
$125 per/person - per/wknd
Save $10 bring your own single sheets & towels
Deposit: $50 per person/per wknd
 


FORMATION FOR CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH SERVICE
Including Presenter's Training

June 1-6 - FULL - waiting list available

What is Formation for Contemplative Outreach Service?

The purpose of Formation for Contemplative Outreach Service, including Presenter’s Training, is to provide an intensive Christian community experience in order to better understand and grasp the essentials of the Centering Prayer method and thus be able to share it appropriately with others.

The theory is “Good practitioners make good presenters, facilitators, and administrative helpers.” Because the group spends four days focusing on the Centering Prayer practice itself, they better understand the essentials of Centering Prayer and the many nuances of the practice. This deeper understanding helps them to better recognize that contemplative service is service freely offered without expectation of return.

Contemplative Service is not tied to roles or only those willing to function in a specific way. Rather one sees a need and fills it. Contemplative Service is God in us serving God in others.

The schedule includes:

  • One and a half hours of Centering Prayer daily
  • Presentations by the staff of one conference of Session one of An Introduction to Centering Prayer each morning.
  • Participants present portions of the same material to a small group in the afternoons.
  • Presentation by the staff of sessions 2-7 and small group discussion.
  • Discussion of Issue

Criteria for Registration: Formation for Contemplative Outreach Service

  • Participated in “An Introduction to Centering Prayer”
  • Established Centering Prayer practice - minimum of daily two twenty-minute periods - for three years.
  • Participated in an 8- or 10-day Centering Prayer Intensive Retreat, either before attending Formation or within one year after attending Formation, and before becoming fully commissioned. If intensive retreats are not geographically available (or) participated in a 5- or 7- day Centering Prayer Intensive Retreat (or) participated in four weekend silent Centering Prayer Retreats over previous 3 years
  • Studied Open Mind, Open Heart by Thomas Keating. Preferably has also read/studied Invitation to Love, Mystery of Christ, and/or Spiritual Journey materials by Thomas Keating (Tapes, CDs, DVDs or transcripts).
  • Has been recommended by a Chapter Coordinator or Contact Person, or (in an underdeveloped chapter) by a commissioned presenter who is willing to mentor and recommend him/her for full commissioning after serving a minimum of one year as a presenter-in-training.
     
COSTS:
$400 - Room & Board, single room ($150 - deposit)
$ 30 - Retreat materials & Presenter Handbook


Ignatian Scripture Directed Retreat
June 8-16 (Fri. to Sat.)

Facilitators: Sr. Therese Dush & Fr. Philip Billotte

This directed retreat is a one-on-one experience, based upon the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. A director will guide the reflections of each retreatant by meeting with them each day. The director will assign Scripture passages, specific meditations, and will assist the person in processing their prayer and in discerning the movement of the Holy Spirit. There is time for personal prayer, reflection, and liturgy all within an atmosphere of silence.

Arrival: 6pm, Supper
Departure: 10am
Offering: $425 per person
Deposit: $150



Seven Session Introductory Workshop on Centering Prayer
Saturday June 30 from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, and the following six Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Good Shepherd RC Church, 867 Gray's Woods Blvd., Port Matilda, PA 16870

Sister Therese Dush from Bethany Retreat Center and Nancy Cord-Baran will be presenting the workshop.

Contemplative Outreach of Central Pa. is offering a Seven Session Introductory Workshop on Centering Prayer.
Sister Therese Dush from Bethany Retreat Center and Nancy Cord-Baran will be presenting the workshop.

Centering Prayer is a silent Christian practice for consenting to the presence and action of the Divine Indwelling. Based on Matthew 6:6, as well as the teachings from the 14th-century text The Cloud of Unknowing, John of the Cross, Thomas Merton and others, Centering Prayer is a method that renews the contemplative Christian tradition of silence, solitude and simplicity in opening and deepening one's relationship with God.

Practitioners will discover a level of prayer beyond asking for aid or offering praise - one that can lead to an intimate, graceful communion with God.

Cost $30.00 - (scholarship available) If you have attended the workshop before you are welcome to join us at no cost or a small donation. Bring a bag lunch.

To register contact Nancy Cord-Baran 814-237-1002 or ncb612@gmail.com

 


DISCERNMENT WEEKEND
July 12-15

The community of Anawim is offering a Discernment Weekend from Thursday 6pm through Sunday, July 12-15, 2012. The weekend will provide participants with the opportunity to learn how to prayerfully discern God's call on their lives. This weekend program is especially suited for those in the process of discerning their vocational call, choice of profession, job change, relationships, or other important life matters. The weekend will provide input through conferences and the opportunity for individuals to spend time in their own personal discernment work under the direction of the presenters. The discernment process learned this weekend will serve the participants well throughout their whole lives as they face many choices and life decisions. This weekend also gives participants a chance to come to know the Community of Anawim members and experience the Community's spirit and charism.

Call 814-263-4855 or email for more information.

Arrival: 6 pm, Thursday
Departure: Sunday
 

Bethany Retreat Center Blueberry Festival13th Annual BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL
 
July 27 - 28 ~ Friday & Saturday 11am to 5pm

Homemade pies, ice-cream, muffins, jam, soup, salad, hotdogs, sloppy joes,
LIVE Music, games, Hole-in-one, & MORE!

2nd year for the Blueberry Bake Off!
Entries & Judging on Saturday, July 28th
- click for info. & rules - click for registration form

Call for information ~ 814-263-4855

 


CENTERING PRAYER 8-DAY POST-INTENSIVE RETREAT
July 29 - August 5 (Sunday to Sunday)

The purpose of the retreat is to assist the participants in entering into a more intimate relationship with God and self. This is facilitated through the cultivation of a deep level of interior silence in a nurturing, supportive environment that combines both solitude and community. The Post Intensive is a next step into a profound silence and stillness in order to facilitate a more intimate union with God. (Massage Therapist available - not included in the cost.) Prior Centering Prayer experience is required.
Brochures Available.
 
Arrival: 6pm, Sunday
Departure: 11am, Sunday
Offering: $400 per person
Deposit: $150 per person
 

Contemplative Outreach of Central Pa. presents:
Contemplative Dimension of the 12 Steps
with Nancy Cord-Baran
Aug 17-19

This retreat is for people in 12 Step Recovery programs to introduce or expand and deepen the experience of Centering Prayer as part of a daily 12-Step Practice.

Centering Prayer is a simple method of prayer rooted in ancient Christian practice that opens us to God's presence and divine healing. It is simply moving deep within ourselves, in silence, saying nothing, asking for nothing, just being and allowing our Higher Power to be with us.

The retreat will offer an environment of solitude and silence in community with time for reflection, fellowship, and a 12-Step Meeting. For those new to Centering Prayer, the retreat is an Introductory Workshop on Centering Prayer in the context of 12-Step recovery. For those with an established Centering Prayer practice, there will be the option of reviewing any part of the Introductory Workshop or learning The Welcoming Prayer, a trans formative companion practice to Centering Prayer.

Retreat staff have been active in 12-Step programs for many years. They have completed Formation for Contemplative Service Commissioning process of Contemplative Outreach as well as the formation training for presenting and leading retreats for Centering Prayer and the 12-Steps.

For flyers or more information contact Nancy Cord-Baran, ncb612@gmail.com. Brochures available.

Arrival: registration begins at 4:30
Departure: 2:00 pm on Sunday
Retreat begins with dinner at 6:00
Cost: $175.00 (includes linens) or $165.00 (bring your own sheets and towels)
Non-refundable Deposit: $50.00 due by August 10th
 

WELCOMING PRAYER WEEKEND RETREAT
Sr. Therese Dush - Presenter
Aug 24-26

The Welcoming Prayer is a method of consenting to God’s presence and action in our physical and emotional reactions to events and situations in daily life.

The purpose of the Welcoming Prayer is to deepen our relationship with God through consenting in ordinary activities. The Welcoming Prayer helps to dismantle the emotional programs of the false-self system and to heal the words of a lifetime by addressing them where they are stored—in the body. It contributes to the process of transformation in Christ initiated in Centering Prayer.

Participants will be introduced to the actual method of the Welcoming Prayer and provided with opportunities to practice. Discussions will include the human condition and the false-self system as the conceptual background of the Welcoming Prayer practice. There will be time for focusing, working with what is happening in our bodies, and practicing the prayer.

Sr. Therese Dush, C.A. is an experienced retreat director and spiritual director. She has many years of experience in directing contemplative retreats. Sr. Therese is Director of Bethany Retreat Center.

A daily practice of Centering Prayer is recommended as a prerequisite.

For flyers or more information contact Nancy Cord-Baran, ncb612@gmail.com.
 

Arrival: registration begins at 4:30
Departure: after lunch on Sunday
Retreat begins with dinner at 6:00
 
Cost: $175.00 (includes linens) or $165.00 (bring your own sheets and towels)
Non-refundable Deposit: $50.00 due by August 17th


HOLY WEEK TRIDUUM RETREAT
March 28-31, 2013

Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday, participants can share in the Holy Week Liturgies and silent atmosphere of Bethany.  Participants not registered for the full retreat may attend any of the services.

 
Holy Thursday:
5:30 PM Seder Meal  (please make reservations for Seder Meal)
7:00 PM Liturgy and Adoration
9:30 PM Tenebrae
 
Good Friday:
10:00 AM Outdoor Stations of the Cross
2:00 PM  Celebration of Our Lord’s Passion
7:00 PM Veneration of the Cross
 
Holy Saturday:
9:30 PM Easter Vigil - Followed by refreshments

Arrival: 4pm, Thursday
Departure 11am, Sunday
Offering: $100 for full retreat
Deposit: $40 (nonrefundable)
 
 

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