Introduction to Centering Prayer

Bethany Retreat Center

AM
21 reviews
Jun 13 - 15, 2025
Group size: 1 - 25
Introduction to Centering Prayer
Bethany Retreat Center

21 reviews

Jun 13 - 15, 2025
Group size: 1 - 25

About this trip

 The retreat starts with Dinner on Friday and ends after breakfast on Sunday


Sourced from the depths of Christian contemplative tradition, Centering Prayer has emerged as a life-changing prayer practice for those who embrace it. Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer; prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. Its purpose is to foster a deeper intimacy with Christ through the silence and stillness of contemplative prayer.


Join us to learn the method or to renew your practice of this ancient form of silent prayer.

FACILITATOR BIO:

Sr. Ruth Ann is a Spiritual Director and Retreat Director.  She provides spiritual direction on an ongoing basis as well as spiritual companioning/direction during retreats at Bethany Retreat Center.  Sr. Ruth Ann has her degree in Religious Studies from St. Francis University. She is also a graduate of Shalem’s Spiritual Guidance Program. 


Elizabeth Graboski is a longtime contemplative prayer practitioner, a Centering Prayer facilitator and commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina for Contemplative Outreach.  She currently serves with Contemplative Outreach Central Pennsylvania local chapter for the Spiritual Enrichment and Formation for Facilitators of Centering Prayer Groups 

What’s included

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Available Packages

Introduction to Centering Prayer
$275

Itinerary

Friday, June 13th
Introduction to Centering Prayer

5:20 pm – Welcome and Orientation – BRC 1st Floor Dining Room


5:30 pm - Dinner


6:30 pm – Retreat Gathering – House Conference Room (HCR)

Retire in Silence

Your Organizer


AM
Anawim Ministries (Bethany Retreat Center)
21 reviews
BETHANY RETREAT CENTER was established in 1982 by the Anawim Religious Community of Frenchville, Pennsylvania. It is a place apart to rest, renew and be recreated for those seeking a deeper relationship with God. Located on 140 acres of partially wooded land in the hills of Pennsylvania, the atmosphere is quiet and peaceful — only 15 miles off Interstate 80.

Reviews

Beautiful location and accommodations. The presenters were excellent and all expectations were met. I will definitely return.
By Brian O for 11th Step Retreat (March 2025) on Mar 18, 2025
The labyrinth retreat was absolutely amazing! It was well presented and well organized. The retreat center, food, staff and accomodations were perfect! I cannot wait to return. I have already told many people about my experience!
By Tammy B for Labyrinth Retreat on Mar 17, 2025
Excellent program. Mary is a wonderful leader who creates a safe place to explore our inner worlds. Thank you. And Bethany is simply lovely, perfect setting for retreats. Highly recommend!
By Kathleen M for Welcoming Forgiveness and Centering Prayer on Nov 01, 2024
This retreat was conducted by Mary Dwyer an excellent teacher and founding member of the Contemplative Outreach. I have been to separate retreats and one other with Mary. Both with Mary are highly impactful to my practice. Mary's experience leading retreats evokes a palatable sense of the Silence, a holiness arose around all of us until we broke the Silent on the last day of the retreat. A retreat full of long time meditators creates an environment thick with the Silence I came to meditate within. A retreat at Bethany provides a beautiful atmosphere for Contemplatives. Dwyer's command of the meditative techniques delivered within a hermeutic teaching method plant deep seeds I can't wait to realize.
By Paul B for Welcoming Forgiveness and Centering Prayer on Oct 27, 2024
It was a transformational experience. Nothing could have been better. Not the food, the setting, the people, the location, the weather.
By Dean T for Welcoming Forgiveness and Centering Prayer on Oct 24, 2024
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