Centering Prayer with Mary Dwyer

In the early 1990’s, she lived at Chrysalis House, a contemplative live-in community experiment blessed by Fr. Thomas.  Her housemates included Mary Mrozowski, David Frenette and Cathy McCarthy.  The community lived according to a rule of life, and became an incubator of practice and programs in the early years of Contemplative Outreach’s growth.  It was her experience at Chyrsalis House – what she refers to as her “inpatient” or “residential treatment time” – that proved to her that a life of prayer, consent and practice is real, stable and deeply rewarding.  Mary Mrozowski taught her that a devoted life of prayer was the real work of life; what we did the rest of the time was just how we made a living.

Mary received her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in economics and spent some time as a banker and college administrator.  After a few years at Chrysalis House, she went back to school and became a licensed clinical social worker and practiced this vocation for the next 15 years, all while maintaining her commitment to the contemplative life and to the mission of Contemplative Outreach. In 2008 she met her beloved Juan through the Living Flame program.  She moved to Miami, FL in 2009 and they married.  Juan recently retired and they moved back to Erie, PA in July, 2018.

Mary is currently is in private practice as an LCSW in the Erie area.  She also is serving as a member of the Gift Committee and the Welcoming Prayer Service Team of Contemplative Outreach.  She previously has served as Chairperson of the Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. Governing Board; member of the Contemplative Outreach faculty; and Coordinator for the Living Flame program and Coordinator of the Miami Chapter. Mary now devotes her time between private practice and giving retreats and workshops on behalf of Contemplative Outreach through the U.S. and internationally.