July 2020
Five-Day Directed Retreat – CANCELLED
Cancelled - this retreat will be held again in 2021. This retreat offers an opportunity for on-going faith development under the personal guidance of an experienced director. Enjoy silence, scheduled consultations with a spiritual director, and time for personal reflection and prayer. Participants have the option of joining the Benedictine Community for Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours. Note: Other than the sessions with a director, this is a silent retreat. Ability to maintain silence is required. Retreat…
Find out more »September 2020
Introduction to Centering Prayer – on-line, one-day workshop
From the comfort and shelter of your home, we invite you to join us for a one-day on-line Introduction to Centering Prayer workshop. Centering Prayer is a form of Christian prayer rooted in the ancient Christian contemplative tradition. Its purpose is to foster a deeper intimacy with Christ through the silence and stillness of contemplative prayer. This workshop/retreat is designed for those new to Centering Prayer. This one-day format will provide via Zoom video-conference the instruction that usually occurs over…
Find out more »Celebrating Women – Respite from the Storm (a video-conference retreat)
Our annual Celebrating Women retreat will be held on-line, allowing participants to gather with others from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Entitled Respite from the Storm: Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit, the retreat will include shared meditations, an art project (mandala-making), reflections, and a time of Deep Relaxation Yoga. We will gather on Friday evening via Zoom video conference for introductions and sharing. On Saturday we will meet again on Zoom from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. …
Find out more »January 2021
Introduction to Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is a form of Christian prayer rooted in the ancient Christian contemplative tradition. Its purpose is to foster a deeper intimacy with Christ through the silence and stillness of contemplative prayer. This workshop/retreat is designed for those new to Centering Prayer. Private rooms and the ability to maintain silence are required. Retreat Directors: Contemplative Outreach Birmingham Staff Cost: Private Room $255 Registration for this retreat will open in October 2020.
Find out more »Hope and Healing for the Spousal Loss Survivor
This weekend retreat for spousal loss survivors will introduce a full range of ancient and contemporary forms of healing which link the resources of the Christian faith with the best of the behavioral sciences and expressive arts in addressing body-mind-spirit healing: the power of ‘restorative retelling’ – sharing our loss experiences within small groups to facilitate emotional release, insight, and the formation of enduring bonds with fellow survivors; access to information on loss and survivorship; exposure to methods which facilitate…
Find out more »February 2021
Weekend Intensive Centering Prayer
Rooted in the ancient Christian contemplative tradition, the goal of this form of Christian prayer is to foster a deeper intimacy with Christ through the silence and stillness of contemplative prayer. On this weekend, those who have had an introductory workshop can develop further the discipline of Centering Prayer in order to deepen their relationship with God. There will be extended periods of Centering Prayer and shared Lectio Divina. The weekend will be spent in silence. Prerequisite: Introduction to Centering…
Find out more »April 2021
Holy Week at the Monastery
April 2, 2021 - Good Friday Day of Reflection Take a day apart for silence and prayer on this holy day. Join the Sisters in their silent lunch, outdoor Stations of the Cross, and in their Good Friday liturgy. Spend the rest of your day in silent prayer on the beautiful grounds of Sacred Heart Monastery and in the comfortable sitting areas of the Retreat Center. $12, includes lunch April 1-4, 2021 - Holy Thursday through Easter Experience the three…
Find out more »May 2021
Merton and Women
A Mother’s Day weekend exploration of women and the feminine in the life and teaching of Thomas Merton with a special focus on his correspondence with women and his conferences with women religious and monastics. Retreat Director: Bonnie Thurston, Ph.D. Cost: Private Room $255; Shared Room $225/person We will begin taking reservations for this retreat in January 2021.
Find out more »8-Day Intensive / Post-Intensive Centering Prayer
Rooted in the ancient Christian contemplative tradition, the goal of this form of Christian prayer is to foster a deeper intimacy with Christ through the silence and stillness of contemplative prayer. Intensive: An in-depth retreat for those experienced in Centering Prayer. The retreat will facilitate entrance into a more profound level of spiritual practice in an atmosphere of silence, solitude, and community. DVD's of Fr. Thomas Keating's Spiritual Journey course will be viewed. Post-Intensive: An opportunity to spend extended time…
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