Welcome to Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh


"Silence is God's first language -

Everything else is a poor translation"         Thomas Keating


  • Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh is a chapter of Contemplative Outreach Ltd--a worldwide network of individuals and small groups committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in daily life
  • Our core practice is Centering Prayer, a silent prayer practice which opens us to the gift of contemplation, a deep relationship with God, beyond words, permeating every aspect of our lives.   


Retreats and Workshops


Retreats from Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh

Upcoming COP Fall Retreat

Now open for Registration!

October 3-5

The Forgiveness Prayer with Mary Dwyer

Join us as we explore Forgiveness from the Contemplative Lens. We will explore both the Forgiveness Process and Forgiveness Prayer while steeped in Silence and Centering Prayer (extended sits). Prior Centering Prayer experience recommended. 

In this retreat we continue exploring practices to open ourselves to the Spirit's transformational work in us. This retreat is suitable for those new to the Forgiveness Prayer as well as those with experience.

Mary Dwyer has been involved with Centering Prayer since the mid 1980's. In the early 1990's, she lived at Chrysalis House, a contemplative live-in community experiment blessed by Fr. Thomas in Warwick, NY. Her housemates included David Frenette, Cathy McCarthy, and Mary Mrozowski, the founder of the Welcoming Prayer and Forgiveness Prayer practice.

Mary Dwyer has served as Chairperson of the Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. Governing Board; member of the Contemplative Outreach Faculty and Gift Committee; and Coordinator for the Living Flame program and Coordinator of the Miami Chapter. Currently Mary is serving as a member of the Welcoming Prayer Service Team of Contemplative Outreach. Mary devotes her time between private practice as an LCSW and giving retreats and workshops on behalf of Contemplative Outreach.


Location: Spiritan Center, Bethel Park

For more information and registration click HERE

 Bethany Retreat Center


Bethany Retreat Center is the main retreat facility in driving distance from Pittsburgh that offers in-person retreats involving Centering Prayer and related contemplative practices. For more information and registration, click HERE. 

June 27 - June 29: ELEVENTH STEP RETREAT

July 25 - 27: LECTIO DIVINA

August 10 – 17: CENTERING PRAYER – Intensive and Post-Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat

December 4th – 7th: ADVENT CENTERING PRAYER WEEKEND RETREAT



Online Workshops, Retreats, and Programs

 The Contemplative Outreach community offers many online opportunities to deepen one's relationship with God and support the process of transformation in Christ. Attending a workshop, a retreat, an online Centering Prayer group or participating in an online course with a global community can all support and deepen one's relationship with God and the experience of living a contemplative life

  Be still, and know that I am God



Contemplative Prayer

We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words. But this is only one expression. In the Christian tradition contemplative prayer is considered to be the pure gift of God. It is the opening of mind and heart - our whole being - to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words, or emotions. Through grace we open our awareness to God whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing, and closer than consciousness itself. Contemplation is not a special state "achieved" in moments of silence, but it is the deep relationship with the "ground of our being", unfolding in each moment of our lives.

Centering Prayer

Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer by preparing our faculties to receive this gift. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; rather it casts a new light and depth of meaning to them. It is at the same time a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. This method of prayer is a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with him. Practicing Centering Prayer is like gardening - we water, weed, and tend regularly, allowing for the beautiful flower of contemplation to grow, but the flower itself, its growth, its beauty, its aliveness, is a pure gift.