Associate Retreat Director
Tel: 860-521-0440 ext. 118
Email: bnappi@cpprov.org

Dr. Brandon Nappi is Holy Family's Associate Retreat Director. He is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he majored in Theology and Medieval Studies. Brandon’s work in the Church has included youth ministry, adult education, pastoral care, and music ministry. He completed a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. His doctoral thesis explored Zen-Christian dialogue and the role of mindfulness and meditation in the Christian life. Brandon can be found baking bread, gardening, playing the guitar, and having fun with his wife Susan and his daughters Ellie and Sophia.

Recommended Reading:
New Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton
Peace is Every Step, Thich Nhat Hanh
The Inner Voice of Love, Henry Nouwen
Open Mind, Open Heart, Thomas Keating
The Missing Piece, Shel Silverstein
The Old Turtle, Douglas Wood
A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle

"The ultimate meaning and purpose of life cannot be expressed, cannot properly be thought. It is present everywhere, in everything, yet it always escapes our grasp. It is the ground of all existence, that from which all things come, to which all things return, but which never appears. It is ‘within’ all things, ‘above’ all things, ‘beyond’ all things but it cannot be identified with anything. Without it nothing could exist, without it nothing can be known. It is ‘unseen but seeing, unheard but hearing, unperceived but perceiving, unknown but knowing’ … We speak of ‘God’ but this also is only a name for this inexpressible mystery."
Father Bede Griffiths, Return to the Centre

Breath by Breath - Monthly meditation group

Third Monday of each month from Noon-1:00 p.m.in Anam Cara Room.
This monthly meditation group will explore how mindfulness practice can enhance our everyday experience of life. Mindfulness is the art of quieting the mind and living in the present moment by gently cultivating inner stillness, attention, and compassion for oneself and others. Our gatherings will provide an opportunity for sitting and walking meditation in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, Ekhart Tolle, and Jon Kabat Zinn along with discussion on mindful living. This time of shared contemplative practice can enhance one’s experience of life no matter one’s religious backgrounds. People from all religious traditions or no religious tradition are warmly welcomed. Facilitators: Ellen Graham and Brandon Nappi.