That gathering will result, I hope, in collaborative efforts to promote a contemplative dimension to churches, hospitals, and prisons. As of today, the directors of a project which teaches Centering Prayer to youth ministers in order to introduce contemplative practices to children and teenagers have expressed interest in collaborating. On February 18, about forty Centering Prayer group leaders met to exchange experience and ideas with Father Thomas and each other. Overall, people felt energized and encouraged by Father Thomas visit. God just brings on one surprise after another.
People turn brief conversations in passing into wonderful commitments.
Ways to share Centering Prayer are opening in ways I never even imagined, like offering a weekend retreat in prison. A former prisoner, now county sheriff and a committed meditator, will guide us through the bureaucratic maze of prisons and jails. This has happened in Seattle, San Bruno, Vancouver and India. Several pastoral staff have asked us to create a Centering prayer group in their parish. We will fully and energetically cooperate to plant new groups.