In 2018, the Church of the Resurrection offered a multi-part course with various presenters on the subject of prayer: why to pray, how to pray, and various ways to pray. It is a series referenced periodically in Fr. Steve's homilies, so feel free to watch when you have a chance. We hope it helps you develop a deeper and more meaningful prayer life!
Part 1 | Lord, Teach Us To Pray
Brian Fink, Presenter
November 7, 14 & 21, 2018
This series of three talks, presented by Brian Fink, introduces us to how to pray. The talks are entitled, "The Revelation of Prayer," "The Tradition of Prayer," and "The Life of Prayer." View the talks below.
Video: Part 1, Talk 1: "The Revelation of Prayer"
Video: Part 1, Talk 2: "The Tradition of Prayer"
Video: Part 1, Talk 3: "The Life of Prayer"
Part 2 | An Introduction to Mental / Contemplative Prayer
Fr. Steve Mattson, Presenter
March 7, 14 & 21, 2019
In March, the Church of the Resurrection offered the first part of a two-part series of talks on the subject of prayer. In the first part, Fr. Steve gave an introduction to the Christian discipline of mental/contemplative prayer. Fr. Steve addressed the theology and practice of mental prayer, and gave “homework” for “beginners” (and we’re all beginners, says St. Teresa of Avila) as an aid to growing in our ability to open our hearts and minds to the Lord in prayer.
Audio: Part 2, Talk 1
Handouts:
Handout for Talk 1
Audio: Part 2, Talk 2
Handouts:
Prayer Handout
Ignatian Contemplation
Presuppositions & Quotes
Vocabulary of Emotions
Audio: Part 2, Talk 3
Handouts:
Excerpts from "The Fulfillment of All Desire," by Ralph Martin
Mental Prayer
Anthropology Of The Heart (from the Institute for Priestly Formation)
Part 3 | An Introduction to Ignation Rules of Discernment
Jeannette Barbacane & Tesa Fleming, Presenters
May 9, 16 & 23, 2019
In this three-talk series, Jeannette Barbacane and Tesa Fleming, founders of the Heart of Christ Spiritual Direction Program, explain the immensely valuable lessons about prayer from St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Jeannette and Tesa discuss the basic movements of consolation and desolation as developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, and will provide practical guidance and “homework” to continue the practice of mental prayer that was addressed in Fr. Steve's earlier series on Mental/Contemplative Prayer (see above).
Tesa and Jeannette are experienced and gifted spiritual directors and come with a wealth of knowledge and advice on how to discern God's will for your life, how to enter more deeply into a relationship with God, and how to progress along the spiritual path that the saints followed towards ultimate union with Christ, culminating in the beatific vision of heaven.
Audio: Part 3, Talk 1
Handouts:
Schematic of Ignatius' Rules
Text of the Rules
PowerPoint Slides
Audio: Part 3, Talk 2
Handouts:
Claire's Reflections on Rule 8
Discernment Of Spirits, Part 2
Audio: Part 3, Talk 3
Handouts:
Discernment Of Spirits, Part 3
