Weekly Contemplative Prayer Groups
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It can be difficult to start and sustain a daily practice of meditation. Meeting for contemplative prayer in the support of a group is the best way to support a home practice.
ONLINE PRAYER GROUPS: (CONTACT THE FACILITATOR FOR THE ZOOM INVITATION) MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY 8:30AM, Rich Wolf, [email protected] MONDAY, 4:30PM, Mary Ellen MacKay, [email protected] MONDAY, 7:30PM, Kim Yaeger, [email protected] TUESDAY 8:30 AM, Kathy Aman, [email protected] TUESDAY 7:00 PM, Rich Wolf, [email protected] THURSDAY 9:00 AM, John Bindhammer, [email protected] THURSDAY, 4:30PM, Mary Ellen MacKay, [email protected] THURSDAY 4:30PM, Rich Wolf, [email protected], IN-PERSON PRAYER GROUPS: (CONTACT THE FACILITATOR TO CONFIRM MEETING) MONDAY 7:30 - 9:00 PM, Joe Farell, [email protected], Our Lady of the Sacred Heart chapel. THURSDAY 9:00 AM, Dan Brown, [email protected], St. John's Grace Episcopal Church, Buffalo, NY. SATURDAY 9:00 AM, Rich Wolf, [email protected], Kathy Aman, [email protected], St. Joseph University Parish Library, Main Street, Buffalo, NY. FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, 9:30 AM, DANIEL BROWN & MARY ELLEN MACKAY, [email protected], Crane Branch Library - 2nd Floor, 633 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY. THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, 8:30 AM, Joe Farrell, [email protected], First Floor Schoolroom, accessible by the side door off the driveway midway on your right as you enter. This is the driveway between the Church and the School Building. Park in the back, not alongside the driveway please. |
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What to Expect at a GroupEach group has a unique structure depending on the facilitator's leading style. Most groups have some form of teaching and reading, twenty minutes of silent prayer and often some form of dialogue or group sharing.
If you are new to meditation and contemplative prayer, no problem. It can be difficult to sit still for twenty minutes, but after some time you may find it to be a true source of spiritual life. |
The Essence of Faith Sharing- 5 Principles from Contemplative Outreach
When we gather to share before or after our contemplative prayer practice, we adhere to the following guidelines:
1. FAITH SHARING is not a theological discussion, no speeches, homilies, or dissertations are
required. It is not an information model.
2. FAITH SHARING is not an answer to anyone's problems; nor is it a place to vent frustration. It is not a therapeutic model.
3. FAITH SHARING is my experience of God in my personal history or journey of life. It is a mystery model.
4. FAITH SHARING is living in the messiness and vulnerability of life; sharing the joys, sorrows, hopes, and fears of the human journey and God's faithfulness in that journey.
5. FAITH SHARING requires reverential listening in prayerful silence, “my experience" is the content and “my experience” is not discussable or debatable.
1. FAITH SHARING is not a theological discussion, no speeches, homilies, or dissertations are
required. It is not an information model.
2. FAITH SHARING is not an answer to anyone's problems; nor is it a place to vent frustration. It is not a therapeutic model.
3. FAITH SHARING is my experience of God in my personal history or journey of life. It is a mystery model.
4. FAITH SHARING is living in the messiness and vulnerability of life; sharing the joys, sorrows, hopes, and fears of the human journey and God's faithfulness in that journey.
5. FAITH SHARING requires reverential listening in prayerful silence, “my experience" is the content and “my experience” is not discussable or debatable.
Need a Meditation Timer?
Home to almost six million meditators worldwide, Insight Timer can be downloaded to your smartphone for a mobile meditation timer and connects you to a global community of meditators.
Home to almost six million meditators worldwide, Insight Timer can be downloaded to your smartphone for a mobile meditation timer and connects you to a global community of meditators.