Contemplative Outreach of Colorado is pleased to announce that Father Thomas Keating and Abbot Joseph Boyle will team up in a unique public appearance at the Seventeenth Annual Conference. the duo's double-header is the first time both have appeared together at a Contemplative Outreach conference in Colorado.

Another exciting change for 2010 is that the event will take place at a new location, the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO 80003 which provides easy access to Interstates 70 and 76. All of the conference activities will occur on the first floor of the Arvada Center, and parking is free.

Fr. Thomas, currently in residence at St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, CO, will discuss The Sevenfold Symbolism of the Cross, which is the symbol of all reality for Christians. "Seven of the most basic revelations of God's purpose can be discerned in the summation of the cross. It is also a summary of the stages of our own Spiritual Journey," Fr. Thomas explains. "St. Paul puts it this way: 'With Christ, I am nailed to the cross, and I live now not I, but Christ lives in me.'" (Gal.2:20)

Abbot Joseph has resided at St. Benedict's for 50 years and was elected Abbot 24 years ago. At the conference, he will discuss reflections and images from the cosmos and the evolutionary process that might help support one's receptive prayer. "Some of us feel blessed to be living in an era when knowledge of our cosmos, solar system and the beginnings of life on Earth have become so available to us. What I would like to do is look at a couple of these elements and use them as metaphors for growth in our life with Christ and, in particular, the role of prayer in this," Joseph explains.

The annual Conference on March 20, 2010, at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, will begin with registration at 8:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to register early since the conference is limited to 500 people and walk-in space will be limited. The conference will be Fr. Thomas' first public engagement since concluding six months of recuperation after his recent illness. He will celebrate his 87th birthday shortly before the conference.

Another change for the upcoming event will be a hot luncheon plate, rather than a boxed lunch. Participants can choose between a meat and vegetarian entree: either sliced roasted turkey breast or vegetarian Wellington. Entrees come with a salad, dessert and drinks. There will not be a continental breakfast in the morning. The $80 registration fee includes the lunch and parking.

The day starts with opening remarks, 20 minutes of contemplative prayer and Fr. Thomas' presentation followed by a coffee break. After the break, Abbot Joseph will speak, followed by lunch. During the afternoon session, there will be another 20-minute period of contemplative prayer, followed by a joint dialogue with Fr. Thomas and Abbot Joseph. The Contemplative Outreach Taize Ensemble will perform throughout the day. Our entire selection of books, CDs and DVDs will be on sale.