BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis - ECPv6.15.11//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://centeringprayerstl.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20250101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260826T171500 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260826T203000 DTSTAMP:20260613T133620 CREATED:20260610T174622Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260612T200817Z UID:77517-1787764500-1787776200@centeringprayerstl.org SUMMARY:The Garden Within DESCRIPTION:The EnLIGHTenment Series \n\n\n\nThe Garden Within\n\n\n\nDivine therapy … a path to unity\n\n\n\nPresented by Fr. Matthew Flatley\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen Thomas Keating was a young college student at Yale University\, spending most of his time in the library consumed with the study of early church teachings on contemplation\, all the while neglecting his academic studies\, he came to understand that the Christian path is an invitation to transformation. He once exclaimed to me\,  “there was so much literature written about our fallen natures\, and conversely\, about the great triumphs of the holy saints\, but I could not find much written about how the average Joe can make this journey.”  Fr. Matt believes this became a life long passion within Thomas Keating\, to discover that sacred path\, and to share his discovery with others. \n\n\n\n\n\nDeep within\, I will plant my love\, not on stone\, but in your heart … I will give you a new heart\, a new spirit within you\, for I will be your strength. EZ 36: 26 \n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent Topic:Fr. Matt believes TK’s most precious contribution to the Christian Contemplative Heritage\, is his presentation of the entire spiritual journey. or path to union\, ( a journey\, he himself made) explained\, using the language of contemporary psychology. Hence\, using this paradigm\, and utilizing his own immense intelligence and curiosity\, while drawing on social and physical science\, he is able to\, and possessed the authenticity to offer this notion of prayer … as Divine Therapy. It is simply genius.  He clearly lays out the path for anyone who can find their own discipline and passion within\, to pursue it for themselves. \n \n\n\n\n\nDownload Flyer for The Garden Within\n\n\n\n\n\nDownload of Map of Interior Reality\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Presenter\n\n\n\nFr. Matthew Flatley\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFr. Matthew Flatley is a Roman Catholic priest serving in the Diocese of Jefferson City\, MO.  Prior to the religious life\, he served as a professional Chef for many years\, and then also lived as a Trappist Monk for 5 years\, before entering the Seminary. Today he considers himself a contemplative cook.  For over thirty five years\, he has engaged the daily discipline of Centering Prayer.  Fr. Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies\, and also a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Arts in Systematic Theology. \n\n\n\nFind your practice and practice it. Find your teaching and follow it. Find your community and be faithful to it.  \n\n\n\n— James Finley \n\n\n\n\n\nI would encourage folks to read … of course\, but most of all … I would encourage folks to sit on their prayer cushion.  Remember\, one sit is devotional and two sits are transformational. \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFlow of the Evening\n\n\n\nEvening Schedule  \n\n5:15 PM – 5:55PM — Light Meal\n6:00 PM — Welcome & Logistics\n6:05 PM — Historical Background\, Guidelines & Transition to Prayer\n6:10 – 6:30 PM — Centering Prayer Block (20 minutes exact)\n6:35 PM — Introduce Matt Flatley\n7:15 PM — Quietly signal Jim (5-minute notice for break)\n7:20 – 7:30 PM — Break\n7:30 – 8:20 PM — Second Presentation Block\n8:20 – 8:30 PM — Questions\, Responses & Closing Remarks\n\n \n\n\n\n🥪 Early Gathering & Light Meal 30 minutes before meeting time.Since we begin earlier than usual\, we’re offering a simple shared meal of sandwiches\, side dishes\, and light desserts 45 minutes before the event.You’re warmly welcome to bring something to share\, but please know that it’s not necessary to bring anything—your presence is truly enough.We hope this evening offers space for insight\, stillness\, and transformation.Please feel free to bring a friend! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLocation\n\n\n\n\n\nCommunity of Christ Church\n\n\n\nAddress 830 N Kirkwood RdSt. Louis\, MO 63122 \n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nIn-Person & Zoom Options AvailableWhether you join us in person or on Zoom\, we look forward to sharing this evening with you. A recording will be sent to all registrants after the presentation has been edited.\n\n\n\nRegistrants will receive the zoom link prior to the event.For those joining online\, donations of any amount are gratefully received.A recording of the session will be shared with registrants after it has been edited. \n\n\n\nIn Person: A suggested donation of $25 is appreciated. If you are able\, your support helps sustain our programs\, scholarships\, and ongoing expenses.This is a suggestion only and not a barrier to attendance. All are welcome. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n For any questions please email: enlightenment@centeringprayerstl.com  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDownload Flyer for The Garden Within\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTo see all of the upcoming Enlightnment Series events\, click the button below:\n\n\n\n\nEnLIGHTenment Series Schedule\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration\n\n\n\n\n \n\n PhoneThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Name(Required)\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email(Required)\n \n Address(Required) \n \n \n \n Street Address\n \n \n City\n \n \n State / Province / Region\n \n \n ZIP / Postal Code\n \n \n Phone(Required)Please briefly share your contemplative prayer background(Required)If you are bringing guests\, please list their names below. Thank youHow did you hear about this event?(Required)This field is hidden when viewing the formVolunteerVolunteers help make events like this possible\, and we deeply appreciate any support to help lighten the load! Your presence is more than enough\, but if you’d like to help\, please arrive 30 minutes early for welcoming or setup\, and/or stay 30 minutes after for cleanup.\n \n Welcoming\n \n \n Set Up\n \n \n Bring a Light Dish\n \n \n Clean Up\n Do you want to be added to our mailing list?(Required)\n \n \n Yes\n \n \n \n No\n \n \n \n I already receive your information\n ES Registration Fee Quantity(Required)Please input the number of attendees in your party in the quantity fields below:\n \n \n Price:\n $25.00\n \n \n Quantity \n DonationIf you wish\, please support us with a donation of your choice\, which helps cover our rent\, website maintenance\, scholarship fund and other expenses. \n \n Total Contribution to COSTL\n \n Credit Card(Required)Card Details\n \n Cardholder Name\n \n Make it payable to COSTL and mail it to: COSTL c/o Susie Brent \n489 Staines Court \nSt. Louis\, MO 63141IMPORTANT:  All information provided with your gift is strictly confidential and will never be exchanged with another organization or sold to anyone for other use. You may rest assured that we value your support and would not put you or your identity in jeopardy.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ \n \n\n\n\n\nHaving trouble registering or did not receive a confirmation email? Reach out to susiebrentcostl@gmail.com. \n\n\n\n.feature-image-background { background-image: url(‘https://centeringprayerstl.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/38-192fa480f8ae696a5e1437c74d5f7a62/2026/05/Sit-Stay.jpg’) !important; } URL:https://centeringprayerstl.org/event/the-garden-within/ CATEGORIES:EnLIGHTenment Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centeringprayerstl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/7880140.jpeg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR