Meeting Format:

• Welcome and explanation of contemplative prayer.
• 20 minute period of silent prayer.
• Few minutes of optional walking meditation.
• Another 20 minute period of silent prayer.
• Brief talk on some aspect of spirituality.
• Closing prayer from our Center and extending to our families, friends, the strangers among us, our "enemies," and the needs of the world.
• The Lord's Prayer and exchange of peace.

New Program: "Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as we know her from the Scriptures"

As an ecumenical offering open to all Christian denominations, this program (for parishes and motherhouses) will limit itself only to those scripture texts that mention, Mary, the mother of Jesus. After the infancy narratives in which she figures prominently, there are few references to her. She confronts her young son in the temple. She asks Him for a favor at the wedding reception at Cana. Aside from her presence in the crowd who come to hear Jesus, we do not hear from her again until she stands at the foot of the cross and witnesses her son's execution. A month or so after the Resurrection, she meets with the apostles and some of the women for "constant prayer." From this virgin, wife, mother and widow, there are lessons to learn as we ponder these things in our hearts.

Write or call Fr. John Mergenhagen for further information: