This talk by Fr. Thomas, recorded in the summer of 2010 at St. Benedict's Monastery Retreat Center, framed the presentations on Enrichment Day.

To contact Jenny or to obtain more information about Centering Prayer and 12 Step Outreach see http://www.cp12stepoutreach.org/.

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p174.mov (12.22 MB)

This critically acclaimed film will show on Friday evening of the conference. It is a highly poignant examination of faith and discernment in the face of possible death. Here is a synopsis and trailer.

Eight French Cistercian monks live in harmony with their Muslim brothers in a monastery perched in the mountains of North Africa in the 1990s. When a crew of foreign workers is massacred by an Islamic fundamentalist group, fear sweeps though the region. The army offers them protection, but the monks refuse. Should they leave? Despite the growing menace in their midst, they slowly realize that they have no choice but to stay… come what may. This film is loosely based on the life of the Cistercian monks of Tibhirine in Algeria, from 1993 until their kidnapping and deaths in 1996.

In this short video Fr. Thomas opened the 2010 conference of Contemplative Outeach, "Awakening to the Contemplative Dimension of Life" in Atlanta. As the theme of this year's conference is re-awakening to this same dimension Fr. Thomas's reflections from last year remain relevant today.

NOTE: The last day for making hotel room reservations at the significantly discounted rate is tomorrow September 14th. September 15th is the close of registration.

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Movie_on_9-13-11_at_9.22_AM.mov (11.6 MB)

For scholarship information see http://bit.ly/mICkep. Also, if you are interested in contributing to the conference blog while at the conference (writing, photos, video) please contact Ron Barnett, Coordinator, at RLB@me.com - we could use your help. Its a great way to share the conference with others.

At the end of May, Marie Howard, Conference Coordinator, and took a break in a meeting at St. Benedict's Monastery Retreat House near Snowmass, Colorado to talk informally about the conference. In particular, Marie spoke of Saturday, the day that will focus on enrichment and highlights several cutting edges of contemporary contemplative thought and activity. Marie's willingness to speak "off the cuff" and with her characteristic enthusiasm are most appreciated. Information about the conference and online registration is available at http://bit.ly/mICkep and bios of the speakers Marie spoke of at http://bit.ly/iTDww7