"The Centering Prayer Group Facilitator"

Facilitators guide the Centering Prayer Groups that are established, particularly the weekly session after the presentation of the initial Six-Hour Introductory Workshop on "The Introduction to Centering Prayer."

The primary purpose of Centering Prayer Groups is to help sustain the commitment in a regular practice of Centering Prayer. The Centering Prayer Group meetings consist of period(s) of Centering Prayer, ongoing education in the conceptual background to Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, and the sharing with others of experiences with Centering Prayer and its effect in daily life. Such small groups have the potential to grow into Contemplative Communities to support the members' growth in the contemplative dimension of the Gospel.

Because Facilitators act in a volunteer capacity, the services listed below should be offered only in proportion and in balance with personal, family, professional, business, and other responsibilities.

In some chapters, a long-range process of Facilitator training has been established. Where this training is not offered, the following recommendations are adjusted to suit the circumstances:

What Facilitators do . . . 

1. Establish and/or guide regular Centering Prayer Group meetings, following the "Format and Guidelines for the Centering Prayer Program."

2. Introduce the Method of Centering Prayer privately to new group members, encouraging them to attend the next available "Introduction to Centering Prayer."

3. Assist Commissioned Presenters and the local Coordinator(s) by conducting when possible the sessions subsequent to the Introduction to Centering Prayer workshop.

4. Maintain contact and collaboration with the local Coordinator(s).

5. Encourage the Centering Prayer Group members to support the necessary expenses of the group, e.g., the cost of videotapes, refreshments, etc.

6. If a Centering Prayer Group has developed into a Contemplative Community, after completing the three-year Contemplative Outreach Curriculum together, the group should discuss and decide whether to continue to receive new members or to remain as they are.

What is required to serve as a Facilitator . . .

1. A commitment to the regular practice of Centering Prayer.

2. Attendance at the "Introduction to Centering Prayer."

3. Ideally, completion of the Contemplative Outreach Formation for Facilitators as provided by the local Chapter or Cluster, or nationally.

4. A developing familiarity with the basic workshops and retreats offered under the Contemplative Outreach Centering Prayer Program: the "Introduction to Centering Prayer," "The Intensive Retreat," the "Post-Intensive Retreat," and "Formation for Contemplative Outreach Service.

5. A developing familiarity with the Spiritual Journey videotape series and/or the books that form the written counterpart of that series, namely, Open Mind, Open Heart; Invitation to Love; The Mystery of Christ; and Intimacy with God.

6. Acceptance of the "Contemplative Outreach Vision Statement" and its "Foundations;" the "Guidelines for Contemplative Outreach Service;" and the "Essentials for the Contemplative Outreach Centering Prayer Program."

7. Availability to facilitate regular meetings of a Centering Prayer Group.