Contact: Janet Dobbs & Kathleen Ciani

Mission Statement: The primary mission of the Centering Prayer Group is to spiritually enrich the individual and parish community through contemplative prayer. The prayer group helps all develop the methods of contemplative practices by preparing ourselves to cooperate with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Centering Prayer

“IT IS SUCH A FOLLY TO PASS ONE’S TIME FRETTING,

INSTEAD OF RESTING QUIETLY ON THE HEART OF JESUS”.

-ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX

Centering Prayer is a type of contemplative prayer that does not require effort, only willingness to let go of ordinary concerns, worries, thoughts, feelings and other distractions, so that we may experience the presence and reverence of God. Centering prayer does not replace other kinds of prayer: rather it sheds a new light and depth of meaning on them.

The phase “Silence is God’s first language” is a quote attributed to Saint John of the Cross and echoed by other spiritual teachers like Father Thomas Keating. It suggests that true communication with the divine is found not only through words, but in a state of deep, receptive silence. Father Keating goes on to say, “Waiting on God in the practice of Centering Prayer strengthens our capacity for interior silence and makes us sensitive to the delicate movement of the Spirit in daily life”.

The silence from a Centering Prayer Practice gradually permeates the daily routines of everyday life, helping us to be present, mindful, and aware of the sacredness of the ordinary.

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 reminds us. Why? We all need to be refreshed, guided and transformed. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. It tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love. Together we are moved beyond conversation to communion.

St Francis by the Sea Parish’s Centering Prayer Group, begun by Sister Kathleen Kane 25 years ago, continues to offer beginning instruction and ongoing practice in Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). The Bible is the Word of God, which is always alive and active, always new. Lectio is a traditional way of cultivating friendship with Christ so His Word can speak to us today.

New participants, visitors and walk-ins are always welcome.

We meet at a NEW time this Fall, from 12:15PM-1:15 PM (after the 11:30 Mass) on MONDAYS, beginning September 8th. Come and see!

Please fill out the form below if you would like more information on participating in or joining the Centering Prayer Ministry.