Upcoming Events
6 Day (5 Night) Contemplative Outreach
Intensive Silent Centering Prayer Retreat
November 8 – 13, 2026
St. Placid Priory, Spirituality Center
500 College Street NE
Lacey, Washington 98516 (https://stplacid.org/contact/)
This retreat provides an opportunity to deepen your established Centering Prayer practice in an atmosphere of silence and community, away from the busyness of daily life, and to allow your mind, body and spirit to surrender to God’s presence and action within. It has an educational component to immerse you both in the practice of Centering Prayer and, increasingly, in the conceptual background of the spiritual practice.
Each day there will be about three and a half hours of Centering Prayer, ranging from 20 to 30-minute periods of prayer, some back-to-back with a contemplative walk in between. In addition, participants will learn some teachings from the Thomas Keating “Spiritual Journey” video series. Except for opening and closing times, silence will be observed throughout the retreat, including at meals. Participants can choose to remain in silence after the videos or participate in a short sharing session on the teaching.
A more detailed note will be sent to registrants before the retreat with suggestions for deepening interior silence.
Before attending the retreat, you should have an established daily practice of Centering Prayer with two 20-minute periods of prayer a day for at least six months to one year.
DATE & TIME DETAILS: Registration 3-4 PM; 5 PM Dinner; First prayer period at 7:00 pm Sunday, November 8; retreat ends at 1:00 pm Friday, November 13.
COST: $900.00 – Includes Program, Meals & Lodging. A deposit of $100.00 upon registration will secure a place in the retreat. Partial scholarships are available.
DEPOSIT REFUND POLICY:
60+ days before retreat start: 100% of deposit refunded. 30–59 days before retreat start: 50% of deposit refunded. 0–29 days before retreat start: 0% of deposit refunded.
For more information: contact Sr. Anna-Camille Wooden at camillewooden5@gmail.com.
Facilitators
Anna-Camille Wooden, OSB
Anna-Camille Wooden, OSB is St. Placid Priory’s sub-prioress, Oblate Director, a program presenter, and helps care for the monastery cat. She has a long time Centering Prayer practice, is a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer, an experienced retreat leader, and is on the Contemplative Outreach Northwest Leadership team.
Paul Peterhans, M.Div.
Paul is a longtime Centering Prayer practitioner and original witness to Contemplative Outreach’s founding. He has served as youth minister, organizer, business owner, and theology teacher. Trained in Special Education, BreathWave breathing, and yoga, he will train as a Sacred Deathcare Guide. He helped establish Contemplative Outreach Northwest and promote Centering Prayer regionally.
Introduction to Centering Prayer *Fall
deepen your relationship with God.
St. Placid Priory, Spirituality Center
500 College Street NE
Lacey, Washington 98516
(https://stplacid.org/contact/)
Centering Prayer is a simple, ancient Christian practice of silent prayer—a way of opening ourselves to God’s presence and action in our lives.
Whether you are new to Centering Prayer or want to renew and deepen your practice, this retreat offers a welcoming opportunity to learn, practice, reflect, and rest in God’s presence.
Together we will:
- Learn the basics of Centering Prayer
- Practice periods of silent prayer
- Share and reflect on our experience
- Have time for questions and conversation
Retreat Details
Saturday, November 14
9:00 AM – Arrival & Registration
10:00 AM – Retreat begins
4:00 PM – Retreat ends
Cost:
$78.00 – Includes Program
$90.00 – Includes Program & lunch
The retreat fee includes the opportunity to join the sisters for Liturgy of the Hours.
Continuing the Practice
Following the retreat, you are invited to join a 4-week evening series with a 20-minute Centering Prayer period, teaching, questions, and discussion.
Come as you are.
Come away. Be still.
Rest in God’s presence.
Facilitators
Paul Peterhans, M.Div.
Paul is a longtime Centering Prayer practitioner and original witness to Contemplative Outreach’s founding. He has served as youth minister, organizer, business owner, and theology teacher. Trained in Special Education, BreathWave breathing, and yoga, he will train as a Sacred Deathcare Guide. He helped establish Contemplative Outreach Northwest and promote Centering Prayer regionally.
Paz Vital, OSB
Sister Paz has an MA in Theology and Ministry at Catholic Theological Union. She is a Spiritual Director and a Retreat and Workshop presenter. She is an Oasis & Prayer Practices Facilitator. Sister Paz is the Vocation Director at St. Placid Priory.
POST-INTENSIVE RETREAT
St. Andrew’s Retreat House at Sacred Waters, Union, Washington
Deepen your Centering Prayer practice in an atmosphere of silence and community, away from the busyness of daily life, and allow your mind, body and spirit to surrender to God’s presence and action within.
Within two hours of Seattle and about halfway between Belfair and Hoodsport, Saint Andrew’s Retreat House is a beautiful log cabin style lodge with panoramic views of Hood Canal and the Olympic Mountains.
Further details will be forthcoming. Registration will begin in November 2026. For more information about the retreat contact Pam Wilder, pjwilderm@gmail.com.
