The Divine Creator formed us as beings who dream with purpose. The suspension of conscious thinking that we strive for in centering prayer comes naturally to us as we sleep. This receptive mode opens a door of availabilityâ€”accepting us as we are without judgment and drawing us closer to what we call the true Self. The presentation will include examples illustrating what dreams offer and show the parallel to thoughts from the unconscious that arise through the experience of centering prayer

Centering Prayer In Person Event

August 14, 2021 and September 11,2021

Beneath the Light We See with Lynne Larson

Eric Peter will continue presenting these amazing and insightful classes. They are geared toward the divine spirit and its connection with our bodies.

The class begins on Monday, June 3 and ends Thursday, June 27; class will be held Monday through Thursday, from 6:30 – 7:30 am Mountain Daylight Time

Practical Exercises for Activating Your 

Nervous System's Ability to Calm and Heal Itself

Monday, June 3 and ends Thursday, June 27; class will be held Monday through Thursday, from 6:30 - 7:30 am Mountain Daylight Time

Creating Space for Change

How do you experience the unfolding mystery of the Incarnation in your life? How do you open up to the Divine Presence residing in you at every moment? How can centering prayer keep you mindful of your relationship with God and help you foster that relationship? Fr. Bill, our much beloved master teacher who has guided many of us on retreats, will explore these questions and help us deepen our spiritual life which touches every other part of life.

The Gospel of Matthew expresses God’s desire for our happiness with Jesus’ call for us to go into our inner room, close the door and pray to our Father in secret Yet, as Fr. Bill reminds us, the greatest obstacle to our spiritual journey is to pray as if we are separated from God. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is this intimacy and tenderness that God offers us, as St. Augustine declared, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

The human ego longs for a compassionate gaze. With the practice of silence, we can become gradually loosened from the exaggerated ego demands that distract us from the trust and faith in the Divine Indwelling. We are all one with God—it is our common ground, our interconnectedness with each other and all of creation. God is love, and when we pray, we open ourselves to feel that love. Join us as we gather for a weekend free of distractions to enjoy the gift of silent presence with God who made you and loves you beyond imagination.

Richmond Hill is an ecumenical Christian Community founded in 1987 and located in the historic monastery of the Sisters of the Visitation of Monte Maria on Church Hill in the center of Richmond. The mission of the Community is to pray and work for the transformation of Metropolitan Richmond through prayer, hospitality, racial reconciliation and spiritual development. There is anecdotal evidence that Richmond Hill, the highest hill in Richmond, has been a place of prayer for several millennia. Native Americans have confirmed this use of the hill when the land was still known as Tsenacomoco. The hill overlooks the falls of the James River and faces the setting sun.

Richmond Hill is COVID-WISE, taking every possible precaution to make the environment safe. Masks are required. Accommodations will be made for social distancing, safe dining and meeting areas.

The cost for the retreat is $295.00 per person for a single room and $260.00 per person based on double occupancy.

The commuter fee, including all meals, is $170.00. Meals and linens are included in the fee for overnight retreatants. We are limited to 30 retreatants. Except for two persons sharing a double room, all rooms will be singles—one person per room.

Registration payments are accepted by check or credit card. To register online, use the PAY HERE button on the retreat

Our weekend will begin with arrival on Friday after 4:30 p.m. and in time for Community Prayer at 6:00 p.m., with dinner at 6:30. The weekend ends on Sunday after lunch. Friday dinner and Sunday lunch are “talking” meals. The schedule includes centering prayer sessions, time for quiet and rest, opportunities for questions and sharing, and celebration of contemplative liturgy on Sunday morning.

For retreat inquiries, contact Lynne Larson at 

For information about Richmond Hill, go to 

Directions to Richmond Hill 2209 E. Grace Street Richmond, VA 23223 804-783-7903

 — Take I-64 West toward Richmond. From most locations in this area, this is about 90 miles. Merge onto VA-33 W. Nine Mile Road via Exit 193A. Proceed 1 ¼ miles. Turn slight left onto N. 25th Street/VA-5. Pass through 1 roundabout.

N. 25th Street is just past T Street. Go 1/3 mile and turn right onto Grace Street. Grace Street is just past E. Broad and before E. Franklin. Continue 2/10 of a mile. Richmond Hill is on the left.

Note that Richmond Hill is just past N. 23rd Street and before N. 22nd Street.

 — From Leesburg Pike/VA-7, merge onto I-495 S/Capital Beltway S toward Richmond/Alexandria. Go 9.11 miles. Take the exit toward I-95 S/I-495 E/Baltimore and go almost ½ mile. Merge onto I-395 S/ Henry Shirley Memorial Hwy S via the ramp on the left toward I-95 S/Richmond. I-395 S/Henry Shirley Memorial Hwy S becomes I-95 S. You will travel about 100 miles. Take the Franklin Street exit, Exit 74B. Go .12 miles and turn right onto E. Franklin Street. You will immediately turn right onto N. 14 Street. Go .17 miles and turn right onto E. Broad Street. Go ½ mile and turn right onto N. 22nd Street. Go .08 miles and turn left onto E. Grace Street. 2209 E. Grace Street will be on your right. If you want to access I-95 but avoid the Capital Beltway, an alternate is to take VA-123 directly to I-95 South.

Experiencing Incarnation in Your Life

Centering Prayer Weekend Retreat

April 29 - May 1, 2022

Divine Presence with Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI

Fr. Bill Sheehan will present conferences in the morning and afternoon
and lead two centering prayer sits. Our gathering will include time

for Q&A and comments, as well as two breaks.

The practice of Centering Prayer opens us up to receive the love
pouring out from the Holy One—with no conditions or judgment on
God’s part and no striving or struggling on our part. Centering prayer is
a practice of letting go, allowing ourselves to be embraced
by the divine with total acceptance just as we are.
Fr. Bill has been deeply committed to Contemplative Outreach
since its founding by Fr. Thomas Keating, OCSO 40 years ago.

He has led centering prayer workshops and retreats throughout the United States
and abroad. He has a rich background as a pastor, director of ministry to priests,
novice director, director of formation, provincial, and director of the Oblate House
of Theology. Among teachers of the faith journey and presence of the divine
indwelling, few deserve the title “master teacher” as does Fr. Bill.

For more information, contact Lynne Larson at 

A weekend centering prayer retreat with Fr. Bill will be held in Spring 2024,
following renovation to repair water damage at Richmond Hill. Dates to be announced.

The practice of Centering Prayer

A ZOOM Centering Prayer Retreat

Saturday, June 3, 2023 11:00 a.m. EDT – 2:00 p.m. EDT

Embraced In Love

We don’t know her name or what kind of education she received, yet she is the first woman known to write a book in the English language. Thomas Merton regarded her as the greatest of the English mystics. In May 1373, when she was 30 years old and near death from a grave malady, this woman known as Julian of Norwich experienced sixteen visions or “showings” of Christ’s passion and the nature of divine love and friendship. The foundation of Julian’s writing is her experience of revelations–God revealing GOD, the supreme nature of his friendship and the assurance that all will be well and every manner

Retreat at Richmond Hill

October 16, 2021

Julian Of Norwich with Lynne Larson

Father Bill Sheehan has been deeply committed to Contemplative Outreach since it was founded in 1983 by Fr. Thomas Keating, OCSO. Fr. Bill will share his wisdom and experience in dealing with the evolving new normal of Covid which caught us unaware and continues to take hold in our lives, confining us, keeping us away from our usual way of living, family and friends.

There is one relationship, however, that is always present—it doesn’t come, it doesn’t go, it is always with us. God is the divine indwelling within each of us and all of creation. Every prayer we offer is rooted in relationship with him.

Living a Centered Life

Zoom Event

July 24, 2021

Living A Centered Life with  Father Bill Sheehan OMI

Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI – Zoom – Centering Prayer & The Human Condition

Saturday, July 6, 2024 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT

7 Past Events