Living Flame II

7 Month Formation Program on Saturdays

October 2024 through May 2025

Hosted locally by Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis and in collaboration with Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., the Living Flame Leadership Team, Missouri Chapters, groups, and individuals of MO Contemplative Outreach: Kansas City, Jefferson City, Columbia, St. Louis Metro Area, Springfield/Branson, and Cape Girardeau.

“I think the Living Flame Program is a masterful offering for those who are seriously drawn to a life of contemplation…that, and the daily practice of Centering Prayer.” — Father Matt Flatley

The Living Flame Program is an extraordinary program for Contemplative Outreach chapters and prayer groups. The program draws on all of the knowledge and disciplines that informed Father Thomas’ books and Spiritual Journey Video Series. These sessions are designed to heighten the awareness of the dynamics of Centering Prayer in the context of your spiritual journey and is an offering of in-depth spiritual study and enrichment.

The Living Flame II Program is open to everyone. Some topics continue from Living Flame 1, but participation in Living Flame I is not a requirement.

Who should attend: Since the centering prayer practice is an experiential process, an established daily practice is encouraged but not required. We recommend that you have attended a Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop that lays the foundation for the Living Flame program. 

Familiarity with the books of Fr. Thomas Keating, particularly Open Mind, Open Heart equally enriches your background and experience but not necessary.  Please take this time to reacquaint yourself in order to have this program to be more meaningful for you.  This is challenging but worth every second of your preparation and commitment.  Here is a link to a video recording of an Introductory Workshop that may be helpful to refresh you with the basics.

You may attend in-person or via Zoom over an 8 month period, for each of the 7 Half Day Saturday retreats (8:45AM – 2:30PM, Central time). Each session will consist of two presentations, two periods of centering prayer, and small break out discussion groups for all participants, both In-person and on zoom. All sessions will be recorded and available for viewing at a later date. The zoom information is sent out several days before the event.

We would like to connect with our in person and local zoom community at 8:45AM.

For More Information:

• Living Flame Intro Video
• Presenter Bios
• Event Flyer (to share with family and friends)

Thirty years ago when the Living Flame program was created, attendees had to travel to the presentation site and many had to incur lodging costs as well as the program fee. This process had to be repeated 7 times for an entire program offering.

Thanks to advances in technology, we can now deliver high-quality program content at a fraction of the traditional cost and potentially from the comfort of your own home. If you prefer the experience of engaging with the material alongside other attendees in a physical setting, that option is available as well. Whether you choose to participate individually or in a group setting, our use of live streaming allows for a truly interactive and immersive learning experience.

Program Cost:

Total cost for all seven sessions is $155. We ask that, if you are able, please join us at the Supporter levels.

Note: We encourage you to commit to attending all seven sessions. If you must miss any, recordings of the presentations will be available for later viewing. We will provide a link that allows all participants to access and review the videos during the month between sessions.

Payments can be made as follows:

• Check: Make it payable to COSTL and mail it to COSTL c/o Susie Brent, 489 Staines Court, St. Louis, MO 63141.
• Stripe: Accepts debit or credit card payments. Please help with a processing fee if you are able – thanks.

Partial scholarships are available on an as needed basis. For more information please contact Mary Laffey Adams by email at mlaffeyadams@aol.com

Refunds are available until 7 days prior to the beginning of the program, minus a $25 administrative fee.

Please bring your lunch for the 30-minute lunch break.  Beverages and light snacks will be provided and different volunteers are encouraged to bring a healthy or sweet snack to share for the different sessions. We are grateful for the gifts of sharing and the generosity of so many especially for the sharing of your presence.  

Points of Interest:

An email will be sent to all participants in advance of each session. It will include announcements, handouts, schedule and the Zoom invitation. For In-person participants materials will be printed for each session and a binder given at your first meeting.

The follow up recorded presentations will be emailed to all participants within two weeks.