Our Mission
The intent of Contemplative Outreach of Westchester NY is to foster the process of transformation in Christ both in ourselves and one another through the practice of Centering Prayer. With the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating, Contemplative Outreach brings this ancient prayer into contemporary society teaching the methods of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. With our monthly Zoom mini-retreats we teach, support and encourage the deepening process into the sacred silence of our inner being learning to Let Love Alone Speak. -Fr. Keating.
Our community of practitioners are local and inter-denominational. We provide resources to assist individuals, groups and small formation communities to experience Centering Prayer and grow in its practice. Finally, our mission is to nurture the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in daily life.
Be Still and Know that I Am God
Psalm 46:10
…that they may all be One, just as you Father are in Me and I in You; may they also be one in us…
John 17:21.
Our Vision
With Contemplative Outreach Ltd., we share Fr. Thomas Keating’s Vision and Theological Principles.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your strength, and with all your mind;
and your neighbor as yourself.
Luke 10: 27
We embrace the process of transformation in Christ,
both in ourselves and in others,
through the practice of Centering Prayer.
Founders of the Contemplative Outreach of Westchester Chapter
Tom Skinner
Fr. Thomas Keating commissioned Tom Skinner to lead Contemplative Outreach of Westchester in the early 1980s. He led the first prayer meetings at St. Patrick’s in Armonk, N.Y. Tom left his role as Chapter Coordinator to co-write with Fr. Keating “Divine Therapy & Addiction: Centering Prayer and the Twelve Steps.” Tom passed away in June 2023.
Tom, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, interviews Fr. Thomas Keating on Step One of the Twelve Steps (“We Were Powerless”) in “Divine Therapy & Addiction: Centering Prayer and the Twelve Steps” recorded June 12, 2007 at St. Benedict’s Monastery, Snowmass, Colorado. For more on this topic, read their book, “Divine Therapy and Addiction: Centering Prayer and the Twelve Steps” by Thomas Keating, based upon interviews such as this one, conducted by Tom S.
Diane Harkin
Diane Harkin, a pioneer of Centering Prayer, worked closely and traveled extensively with Fr Thomas Keating, giving workshops & retreats all over the United States. Diane was commissioned by Fr. Keating to assist Tom Skinner as the Coordinator of Contemplative Outreach of Westchester. When Tom Skinner stepped down as Coordinator to co-write the book: “Divine Therapy and Addiction Centering Prayer and the Twelve Steps” with Fr Keating, Diane succeeded Tom as Coordinator for Westchester. She held that position for over 21 years. In addition to serving as Coordinator, Diane went into prisons, schools and many parishes within the United States to bring Centering Prayer.
Sign, attributed to Fr. John Quinn, from St. Patrick’s Church, Armonk, where Contemplative Outreach of Westchester met for 40 plus years.
Contemplative Outreach Ltd.
Contemplative Outreach https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/ is a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel. The common desire for Divine transformation, primarily expressed through a commitment to a daily Centering Prayer practice, unites our international, interdenominational community.
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