Our Amazing Journey of Contemplative Prayer, Life and Growth
Contemplative Outreach Ltd’s. birth as an organization began in 1984, inspired by the work of Fathers Keating, Menninger and Pennington to bring the method of Christian Contemplative prayer to the laity.
Contemplative Outreach St. Louis has come along way since our roots began in 1989 when volunteers from local parishes in the area came together and our first Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop was offered. Over the past 35 years, thousands have attended our events and many have received hope and healing through the practice of contemplative prayer.
Your generosity of service and commitment to the centering prayer practice has helped us provide a safe space for so many individuals looking for a deeper relationship with God.
With joy and gratitude COSTL invites new and long-time members to this special gathering to celebrate the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the labor of love from the many volunteers over the years that has created and sustained our Contemplative community here in St. Louis.
Our 35th Anniversary celebration will start with a peaceful Contemplative Service led by Father Matthew Flatley with Taize chant led by Dawn Stringfield followed by a special celebratory dinner. Guest speakers include Terry Endres, Father Matthew Flatley, at Johnson, Susan Komis, and Jim McElroy will be sharing some highlights of the joys, life and growth over the years.
Pat Johnson who has been involved with CO Ltd since it’s inception and long time friend and colleague of Father Thomas will be with us for the weekend retreat and the celebration evening. If you are unable to attend the retreat you are welcome to register for the dinner and bring a guest.
Facilitators, prayer group members, fellow contemplatives, please join us for this wonderful reunion and celebration for Contemplative Outreach St. Louis! You won’t want to miss this!
Schedule For Dinner Celebration on August 10th:
| 4:00 PM | Contemplative Taize Service with Fr. Matthew Flatley and Dawn Stringfield |
| 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM | Celebration Dinner |
| 6:45 PM to 8:00 PM | Festivities with Jim McElroy, Pat Johnson, Susan Komis, Terry Endres & Father Mattew Flatley |
Contact susiebrentcostl@gmail.com with questions.
God will bring people and events into our lives, and whatever we may think about them, they are designed for the evolution of His life in us.
Thomas Keating
Registration (Due by July 25st):
Registration Closed
Nonrefundable deposit for all registrations is $125 with the balance due by July 25. If you would like to pay with a check, please reach out to us directly. No refunds available after July 21, 2024
The Registration deadline is July 25 end of business day. Any questions please email retreats@centeringprayerstl.com
To pay by check, use the discount code PAYBYCHECK during checkout. Funds must be received by July 25. Please mail a check payable to COSTL, and mail to:
COSTL
C/O Susie Brent
489 Staines Ct.
St. Louis, MO 63141-7518
Location:
Join us at:
Mercy Retreat and Conference Center
2039 N. Geyer Rd
St Louis, MO 63131 in west St. Louis County.
Retreat Arrival: Thursday, August 8, 2024, between 4:00 pm- 5:00 pm. Dinner 5:30 pm. Retreat Ends: Sunday, August 11, 2024 after 12:00 pm lunch
Celebration: Contemplative Service 4:00 pm Dinner and Festivities 5:30pm-8:00 pm
The campus is conveniently located off a major highway and within a 20 minute taxi or ride-share from Lambert St. Louis International Airport. Parking is free.
Presenters:
Terry Endres, Matthew Flatley, Pat Johnson, Susan Komis, Jim McElroy are our guest speakers after Dinner for our evening celebration. You won’t want to miss this!
Pat Johnson and her family first met Fr. Thomas Keating in 1982 when they moved to the Lama foundation. Inspired by Fr. Thomas and St. Benedict’s Monastery Pat, Bob and the children moved to Snowmass, CO in the fall of 1984. That began the Snowmass Retreats. From 1984 on Pat served retreats at the monastery and world-wide. Pat recalls:
Having access to Thomas Keating for so many years gave me a foundation that still has me in a state of awe and wonder. His humor, his brilliance, his humility, all have had a huge impact on my being. But…most of all, his humanness is what formed me.
We joyfully welcome Pat to her first visit to St Louis to celebrate COSTL’s 35th anniversary and to share her first-hand experiences of Fr. Thomas Keating.
If you have any photographs from events you have participated in over the years with COSTL we would love to have a copy for our archives include title and date.
We share in centering prayer when done in common a reservoir of silence that is enhanced by each one’s contribution.
Thomas Keating,
Reflections on the Unknowable