October 14–20, 2026: Centering Prayer Retreat for those who have experienced incarceration
When: October 14–20, 2026
Where:
Anawim Bethany Retreat Center
1031 Germania Road
Frenchville, Pennsylvania 16836
What:
7 days of silence & 3+ hours of Centering Prayer daily
Cost:
Airfare, meals & lodging will be provided through the generosity of donors
Interested?
This retreat is geared toward those who have experienced incarceration and had an established daily practice of Centering Prayer for at least six months. It is also helpful to participate in a Centering Prayer group, either online or in person, to give and receive support in living a contemplative lifestyle.
Why a Centering Prayer Retreat?
This retreat is offered to help participants go deeper in their personal spiritual journey. A safe container will be held by caring leaders within which to experience the deep healing that Centering Prayer facilitates.
What Happens on an Intensive Retreat?
There will be an opening circle on the first day and a closing circle near the end of the retreat.
In between, we will be observing Grand Silence (i.e., avoiding eye contact and both verbal and nonverbal communication, except that it is always fine to speak individually with staff).
Three times a day we will gather for two 30-minute sessions of Centering Prayer.
Twice daily we will watch a video from the Spiritual Journey series, to support the deepening of the practice.
There will be an optional 15-minute facilitated group discussion after each video.
Sign-ups will be available for 30-minute “Soul Friending” sessions with staff for those who would like the chance to speak with staff.
Bodywork sessions will be available.
Why Bodywork Sessions?
For some, the substantial amount of sitting involved in an Intensive retreat may prompt bodily discomfort or pain that can be an obstacle to sinking into the experience.
To assist retreatants, the services of Jessie Owens, a licensed and highly skilled bodywork practitioner will be made available for group and/or individual sessions.
The skills learned can support each person’s practice beyond the retreat.
Where Will the Retreat Take Place?
Bethany Retreat Center was established in 1982 by the Anawim Religious Community of Frenchville, Pennsylvania. Located on 140 acres of partially wooded land in the hills of central Pennsylvania, the atmosphere is quiet and peaceful. There is a nature trail, an outdoor labyrinth, and plenty of open space for quiet reflection.
Who Are the Retreat Leaders?
Jennie K. Curtis
Jennie K. Curtis is a spiritual director and has been a practitioner of Centering Prayer for 30+ years. She currently serves as the administrator for Contemplative Outreach of Colorado Snowmass which hosts 10 day retreats 5 times a year.
As a trained presenter she has introduced the practice to a wide variety of audiences. Her passion is offering a restorative justice program in prisons throughout Colorado.
Rita Weick
Rita Weick is a member of COPOST and has practiced Centering Prayer since 1997. She has facilitated Centering Prayer groups, served on retreats (and as a Chapter coordinator), has been a presenter, and currently co-facilitates a Centering Prayer circle at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution in Oregon.
Patricia Hutchinson
Patricia Hutchinson is a Spiritual Director who has been practicing Centering Prayer for over 20 years. She is a commissioned presenter and facilitator, and served as co-chair of Oregon Contemplative Outreach for over 10 years. She is currently bringing Centering Prayer into Coffee Creek Correctional Facility for women.
For Those on Supervision
COPOST and PCF want to assure officers that their supervisees will be well cared for while on retreat. We will be happy to speak with your supervising officer/agent.
Retreat staff will meet participants at the airport and personally get them to the Bethany Retreat Center. When the retreat ends, we will accompany them back to the airport for their flights home.
Cell phone numbers of retreat leaders will be provided. If you have questions about this retreat, please call Chandra Hanson at (850) 296-8420 or email us at chandra@praestolari.org. We will gladly answer any questions.
Who Is Sponsoring the Retreat?
Two non-profit organizations are sponsoring and funding this retreat, the Contemplative Outreach Prison Outreach Service Team (COPOST), and Prison Contemplative Fellowship (PCF)/Praestolari.
PCF/Praestolari
PO Box 12757
Tallahassee, FL 32317-2757
hello@praestolari.org
www.uspcf.org
Prison Contemplative Fellowship (dba Praestolari) builds contemplative community that transcends walls. Journeying together as people affected by incarceration, we share Centering Prayer meditation and foster connections to support healing and transformation, both personal and communal.
The materials we provide include books by Ray Leonardini (Finding God Within, Toxic Shame, and Going Inside) and the riveting short documentary film, Holding Still (available on the Edovo App as well as on our website).
PCF/Praestolari works closely with Contemplative Outreach's Prison Outreach Service Team in support of those currently residing inside locked facilities, the volunteers and chaplains who support them, those who have completed sentences, and friends/family outside the walls.
Convinced of the importance of retreats in the lives of people who began their contemplative journeys while incarcerated, PCF/Praestolari is committed to helping COPOST ensure that retreats continue to be made available for all who need and desire them.
Contemplative Outreach
Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. 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 this international, interdenominational community.
Father Thomas Keating (1923–2018), was a founding member and the spiritual guide of Contemplative Outreach which now serves over 40,000 people in 39 countries around the world.
The mission of Contemplative Outreach’s Prison Outreach Service Team is to accompany and provide resources to those affected by incarceration as they learn and practice Centering Prayer, as well as to support volunteers, both inside and outside locked facilities, who are called to engage in this activity, that together we may share in the process of divine transformation.
Contemplative Outreach Prison Outreach Service Team
1560 Union Valley Rd. #909
West Milford, NJ 07480
Click here to view the photo gallery from our 2025 Centering Prayer Retreat