Praying with Creation: Encountering God in a Theophanic Universe

CCE Contemplative Enrichment Day
Saturday, May 16, 2026
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ET)
Mark Kutolowski

The Ancient Church understood the natural world as an expression of God's creative love. On this day of enrichment, we'll explore a Trinitarian vision of Creation as 'theophanic', or 'God-revealing'. We'll engage with prayer practices to enter into the love relationship between Creator and Creation, including practices of Immanence, Ascent Transcendence, and Descent. Participants will learn resources for reimagining their relationship with the natural world, and developing daily and weekly habits to increase their contact with God in Creation.

This day's practices were developed in Mark’s work as a wilderness retreat leader and guide of wild pilgrimages.

Offering: $75, includes lunch

Scholarships are available, please contact Mike Smoolca at cce@holyfamilyretreat.org for more information.

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Presenter Profile

Mark Kutolowski

Mark Kutolowski is the Director of Metanoia of Vermont, a lay contemplative community where residents and guests seek to follow the Way of Christ through work, prayer, and study in relationship with the land. Mark is an Oblate of Saint Benedict, a Centering Prayer teacher, and has spent the past 25 years exploring the intersection of Christian faith, embodiment, and relationship with the natural world. 

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Dietary restrictions? Holy Family is committed to making your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, and to that end, we can accommodate most dietary needs. Please email Ted, our registrar, at tjastrzebski@holyfamilyretreat.org, if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, so that we may make preparations in advance of your retreat.