Opening people to encounter and experience the Divine in everyday life through workshops, communities, facilitation, teaching, spiritual direction/companioning, supervision and other resources. Focused on seekers pursuing the path of Christian Contemplative Spirituality.
In addition to the resources available at this site, In Via Lumen offers services to groups and to individuals on their spiritual journey. You can find out more about these services on the Assistance and Contact page.
In addition to the resources available at this site, In Via Lumen offers services to groups and to individuals on their spiritual journey. You can find out more about these services on the Assistance and Contact page.
Current Highlights: - updated on 7/1/2025
View our latest email announcement!
Materials from the Spring 2025 North-Central CT ITMS quarterly Chapter meeting entitled How Thomas Merton's Reflections on Nonviolent Resistance inform today's Nonviolence movements held on Tuesday April 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ET over Zoom has been placed in the Chapter's Past Meetings page. The Summer/Fall meeting will be announced shortly. Please visit the Chapter's page!
We're continue to update our list of programs for the upcoming season, continue to watch this space for additional listings!
View our latest email announcement!
Materials from the Spring 2025 North-Central CT ITMS quarterly Chapter meeting entitled How Thomas Merton's Reflections on Nonviolent Resistance inform today's Nonviolence movements held on Tuesday April 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ET over Zoom has been placed in the Chapter's Past Meetings page. The Summer/Fall meeting will be announced shortly. Please visit the Chapter's page!
We're continue to update our list of programs for the upcoming season, continue to watch this space for additional listings!
Here's a current list of upcoming programs:
August 2025:
August 14 - 19, 2025: Guided BioSpiritual Focusing Weeklong Retreat with Donna O'Connor and Mike Smoolca, Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center 53 Mill Street Westfield, MA 01085
September 2025:
Saturday, September 20, 2025 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. The Way of the Heart - InterSpiritual Wisdom and Invitation for living in difficult times with Rev. Matthew Wright, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107 and via Zoom
Becoming A Bio Spiritual Focusing Companion
Tuesdays 9/23, 10/21, 11/18/2025, 1/20, 2/17, 3/17/206 6:30Pm - 8:30Pm (ET) via Zoom with Nancy Benben and Mike Smoolca
October 2025:
Saturday, October 11, 2025 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Interspiritual Praxis in Community: Charis Meditation and Charis Circles with Ron Barnett, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107 and via Zoom
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 8:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop with Frank Pendola or Mike Smoolca, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107 and via Zoom
November 2025:
November 21-23, 2025, Reading the Bible like a Mystic Retreat with Carl McColman, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107 and via Zoom
December 2025:
Saturday, December 6, 2025 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M From the Heart of Yeshua — following the path of the Aramaic Jesus with Rev Henry Schoenfield, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107 and via Zoom
Our Featured Events list continues to be updated to reflect those events in which In Via Lumen, LLC is involved. More events may be added as time goes on.
August 2025:
August 14 - 19, 2025: Guided BioSpiritual Focusing Weeklong Retreat with Donna O'Connor and Mike Smoolca, Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center 53 Mill Street Westfield, MA 01085
September 2025:
Saturday, September 20, 2025 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. The Way of the Heart - InterSpiritual Wisdom and Invitation for living in difficult times with Rev. Matthew Wright, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107 and via Zoom
Becoming A Bio Spiritual Focusing Companion
Tuesdays 9/23, 10/21, 11/18/2025, 1/20, 2/17, 3/17/206 6:30Pm - 8:30Pm (ET) via Zoom with Nancy Benben and Mike Smoolca
October 2025:
Saturday, October 11, 2025 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Interspiritual Praxis in Community: Charis Meditation and Charis Circles with Ron Barnett, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107 and via Zoom
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 8:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop with Frank Pendola or Mike Smoolca, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107 and via Zoom
November 2025:
November 21-23, 2025, Reading the Bible like a Mystic Retreat with Carl McColman, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107 and via Zoom
December 2025:
Saturday, December 6, 2025 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M From the Heart of Yeshua — following the path of the Aramaic Jesus with Rev Henry Schoenfield, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107 and via Zoom
Our Featured Events list continues to be updated to reflect those events in which In Via Lumen, LLC is involved. More events may be added as time goes on.
The following support group continues into January 2026:
Mondays 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET - Zoom. A Course In Miracles Workbook Support group
The ACIM Workbook is a key component of A Course in Miracles (ACIM), designed to help students practice and internalize the teachings of the Course through daily exercises. The workbook's purpose is to gradually shift the participant's perception and level of consciousness. The group will be facilitated by someone who is experienced with going through the ACIM Workbook as part of a group. The focus of the group will be on the experience of going through the 365 days of exercises that make up the ACIM workbook. The group supports one another through the Workbook exercises and helping to process our experiences on a week-by-week basis.
It's expected that each person participating in this group will commit to doing each lesson in the ACIM Workbook faithfully on a daily basis. The exercises are designed to be easily incorporated into a normal everyday routine and are typically done 2 - 3 times per day in a few minutes each time. Please be sure you can make this commitment before joining the group; this is a commitment you are making both to yourself and for the benefit of the group.
We started this group on Monday January 27, 2025 and meet each Monday over the course of a year (holidays excluded) until the Workbook has been completed.
The following study, sharing and support groups have finished up. Look for upcoming updates on those that will start up in the fall!
Monday mornings - 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. ET - Zoom. A contemplative book study and sharing group for these difficult times. We continue to focus on Richard Rohr's the wisdom pattern; Order| Disorder | Reorder.
This Contemplative sharing group will explore Richard Rohr's book on the universal cycle found in all aspects of life, including spirituality. This pattern is:
Monday evenings - 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ET - Zoom. A contemplative study and sharing group on Living Yeshua's Parables.
Using the Jesus seminar as a guide to identify which Canonical and Gospel of Thomas parables are the most likely to be authentic for our consideration, the group will seek their deeper, inner meaning. Using a well-practiced Lectio-process we will share our individual understandings in a group and then reflect and share diverse sources of Commentaries to enhance what we discover about their meaning. Our objective is to become open to seeing from Yeshua's level of Consciousness so we can begin living from it.
These groups will meet on the following Mondays:
Based on past experience, participation in each session is not necessary in order to be enriched by these experiences.
There are currently limited openings in each group. Please email to express your interest in participating in these groups: [email protected]!
Tuesday evenings - 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ET - Zoom. Highlights of Meditations on the Tarot with Fr. Michael K. Holleran.
"Meditations on the Tarot" by Valentin Tomberg is widely considered one of the most profound books ever written (e.g. by Bede Griffiths, Thomas Keating, etc). Join Fr. Michael Holleran for a Journey into Christian Hermeticism (the subtitle of the book), as fascinating as it is challenging. We will plunge into 7 of the key chapters over a 7-week period on Zoom.
Come and discover how the foundational truths of the spiritual life come alive in this dazzling volume.
Widely considered one of the greatest Catholic theologians of the twentieth century, the Swiss-born Hans Urs von Balthasar, who wrote the afterword to the latest edition of this book, was nominated by Pope John Paul II as a cardinal in 1988. In his afterword, von Balthasar praises the book for its profound spiritual insights and its attempt to integrate esoteric Christian traditions with mainstream Christian thought.
This group will meet on the following Tuesdays:
All sessions are recorded and made available to participants for their later viewing.
Wednesday evenings - 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ET - Zoom. BioSpiritual Focusing: Virtual Book Study and Practicum
In this ten-week in-depth study and practicum, we will explore the practice of BioSpiritual Focusing, based on the book written by Fr. Peter A. Campbell, Ph.D. and Fr. Edwin M. McMahon, Ph.D, entitled, Rediscovering the Lost Body-Connection Within Christian Spirituality, available at the Genesis Book Store. Each evening will entail group discussion on the topics of specific chapters, followed by actual focusing sessions led by experienced facilitators. Over the course of this study, you will become more aware of the sacred story you carry in your own body and the movement of grace in your life.
Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with BioSpiritual Focusing is necessary and prior participation in a BioSpiritual Focusing: Day of Presence or multi-day BioSpiritual Focusing Retreat is recommended. You will also need to have a copy of Rediscovering the Lost Body-Connection within Christian Spirituality.
This group will meet on the following Wednesdays:
Mondays 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET - Zoom. A Course In Miracles Workbook Support group
The ACIM Workbook is a key component of A Course in Miracles (ACIM), designed to help students practice and internalize the teachings of the Course through daily exercises. The workbook's purpose is to gradually shift the participant's perception and level of consciousness. The group will be facilitated by someone who is experienced with going through the ACIM Workbook as part of a group. The focus of the group will be on the experience of going through the 365 days of exercises that make up the ACIM workbook. The group supports one another through the Workbook exercises and helping to process our experiences on a week-by-week basis.
It's expected that each person participating in this group will commit to doing each lesson in the ACIM Workbook faithfully on a daily basis. The exercises are designed to be easily incorporated into a normal everyday routine and are typically done 2 - 3 times per day in a few minutes each time. Please be sure you can make this commitment before joining the group; this is a commitment you are making both to yourself and for the benefit of the group.
We started this group on Monday January 27, 2025 and meet each Monday over the course of a year (holidays excluded) until the Workbook has been completed.
The following study, sharing and support groups have finished up. Look for upcoming updates on those that will start up in the fall!
Monday mornings - 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. ET - Zoom. A contemplative book study and sharing group for these difficult times. We continue to focus on Richard Rohr's the wisdom pattern; Order| Disorder | Reorder.
This Contemplative sharing group will explore Richard Rohr's book on the universal cycle found in all aspects of life, including spirituality. This pattern is:
- Order: This phase represents stability, structure, and predictability. It’s the familiar state where things make sense and follow established patterns.
- Disorder: In this stage, chaos, disruption, and uncertainty emerge. It challenges our existing beliefs and systems, leading to discomfort and growth.
- Reorder: After navigating disorder, a new order emerges. It’s not a return to the old, but a transformed way of being—a deeper understanding, compassion, and alignment with truth.
Monday evenings - 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ET - Zoom. A contemplative study and sharing group on Living Yeshua's Parables.
Using the Jesus seminar as a guide to identify which Canonical and Gospel of Thomas parables are the most likely to be authentic for our consideration, the group will seek their deeper, inner meaning. Using a well-practiced Lectio-process we will share our individual understandings in a group and then reflect and share diverse sources of Commentaries to enhance what we discover about their meaning. Our objective is to become open to seeing from Yeshua's level of Consciousness so we can begin living from it.
These groups will meet on the following Mondays:
- January 20, 27
- February 3, 10, 17, 24
- March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- April 7, 14
Based on past experience, participation in each session is not necessary in order to be enriched by these experiences.
There are currently limited openings in each group. Please email to express your interest in participating in these groups: [email protected]!
Tuesday evenings - 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ET - Zoom. Highlights of Meditations on the Tarot with Fr. Michael K. Holleran.
"Meditations on the Tarot" by Valentin Tomberg is widely considered one of the most profound books ever written (e.g. by Bede Griffiths, Thomas Keating, etc). Join Fr. Michael Holleran for a Journey into Christian Hermeticism (the subtitle of the book), as fascinating as it is challenging. We will plunge into 7 of the key chapters over a 7-week period on Zoom.
Come and discover how the foundational truths of the spiritual life come alive in this dazzling volume.
Widely considered one of the greatest Catholic theologians of the twentieth century, the Swiss-born Hans Urs von Balthasar, who wrote the afterword to the latest edition of this book, was nominated by Pope John Paul II as a cardinal in 1988. In his afterword, von Balthasar praises the book for its profound spiritual insights and its attempt to integrate esoteric Christian traditions with mainstream Christian thought.
This group will meet on the following Tuesdays:
- February 18, 25
- March 4, 11, 18, 25
- April 1
All sessions are recorded and made available to participants for their later viewing.
Wednesday evenings - 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ET - Zoom. BioSpiritual Focusing: Virtual Book Study and Practicum
In this ten-week in-depth study and practicum, we will explore the practice of BioSpiritual Focusing, based on the book written by Fr. Peter A. Campbell, Ph.D. and Fr. Edwin M. McMahon, Ph.D, entitled, Rediscovering the Lost Body-Connection Within Christian Spirituality, available at the Genesis Book Store. Each evening will entail group discussion on the topics of specific chapters, followed by actual focusing sessions led by experienced facilitators. Over the course of this study, you will become more aware of the sacred story you carry in your own body and the movement of grace in your life.
Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with BioSpiritual Focusing is necessary and prior participation in a BioSpiritual Focusing: Day of Presence or multi-day BioSpiritual Focusing Retreat is recommended. You will also need to have a copy of Rediscovering the Lost Body-Connection within Christian Spirituality.
This group will meet on the following Wednesdays:
- February 19, 26
- March 5, 12, 19, 26
- April 2, 9, 16, 23
A BioSpiritual Focusing Approach to Supervision for Spiritual Direction
Using BioSpiritual Focusing during spiritual companionship can open the door to new insights and deep noticings of the movement of the Spirit. Using it in the context of peer supervision can be equally powerful. If you are familiar with BioSpiritual Focus and would like to hone your skills within the supportive peer supervision circle, please join facilitators Nancy Benben and Mike Smoolca on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm to 8:00pm, beginning September 10, 2024.
Click here for further information and to request to join the fall group!
Using BioSpiritual Focusing during spiritual companionship can open the door to new insights and deep noticings of the movement of the Spirit. Using it in the context of peer supervision can be equally powerful. If you are familiar with BioSpiritual Focus and would like to hone your skills within the supportive peer supervision circle, please join facilitators Nancy Benben and Mike Smoolca on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm to 8:00pm, beginning September 10, 2024.
Click here for further information and to request to join the fall group!
Mike Smoolca continues to offer Thursday evening online Contemplative Prayer meetings on Zoom. These sessions run from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and will use the following format:
Participants are encouraged to join the Zoom meeting at 6:45 p.m so that any issues can be resolved in advance and so that the group is able to start on time. Please contact Mike Smoolca via email ([email protected]) directly if you're interested in participating in these sessions!
Please visit the Contemplative Outreach of Connecticut Chapter web site!
I will continue revising the In Via Lumen, LLC web site to stay current with the inspirations of my developing spirituality and areas I'm actively engaged in. -- Mike Smoolca
- Body Scan into Welcoming Prayer
- Video/Audio teaching with Sharing.
- 20 minutes of Centering Prayer
- Scholastic Lectio Divina Practice on an excerpt from the upcoming Sunday Gospel
Participants are encouraged to join the Zoom meeting at 6:45 p.m so that any issues can be resolved in advance and so that the group is able to start on time. Please contact Mike Smoolca via email ([email protected]) directly if you're interested in participating in these sessions!
Please visit the Contemplative Outreach of Connecticut Chapter web site!
I will continue revising the In Via Lumen, LLC web site to stay current with the inspirations of my developing spirituality and areas I'm actively engaged in. -- Mike Smoolca
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Featured Programs
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Thomas Merton
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Of Lasting Interest:
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In the fall of 2021, Mike Smoolca was interviewed by Dr. Kevin Reese for his Inner Peace Podcast. Our conversation just came out and I invite you to listen to it. You can find Kevin's other podcasts here:https://linktr.ee/inner.peace.pod |
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Please visit the web page for the newly forming Farmington Valley League of Light Multifaith Community. This community is a wonderful means of Multifaith solidarity. I'd like to draw your attention to the Contemplative Dialogue page.
I'm keep a running history of the pages I've changed below until the site has been updated to my satisfaction:
Latest Blog Entry finalized on 9/25/2016.
Here's a link to the archived recording of my recent radio interview on: WESU's Reasonably Catholic Radio show.
The Day of Christian Contemplative Reflection on June 11, 2016 sponsored by the Christian Contemplative Prayer groups of Northern CT and being hosted by Holy Family was a wonderfully enriching Contemplative experience exploring the Spirituality of Thomas Merton.
We've completed two years (2014-2015, 2015-2016) of the Contemplative Outreach, Contemplative Formation Program in Central CT. Here are the Community pages for both years:
Community Page for Living Flame 1 Experience
Community Page for Living Flame 2 Experience
In the Summer of 2015 Contemplative Outreach Boston sponsored Contemplative Outreach Centering Prayer Presenter Training offered in the greater Hartford Area. Seven folks were trained over two weekends, since then, 2 of the 7 have become Commissioned Presenters of Centering Prayer.
Here are the final updates on the Second Annual Day of Prayer held on June 6, 2015.
I'm keep a running history of the pages I've changed below until the site has been updated to my satisfaction:
- Reflections (7/7/2018)
Latest Blog Entry finalized on 9/25/2016.
Here's a link to the archived recording of my recent radio interview on: WESU's Reasonably Catholic Radio show.
The Day of Christian Contemplative Reflection on June 11, 2016 sponsored by the Christian Contemplative Prayer groups of Northern CT and being hosted by Holy Family was a wonderfully enriching Contemplative experience exploring the Spirituality of Thomas Merton.
We've completed two years (2014-2015, 2015-2016) of the Contemplative Outreach, Contemplative Formation Program in Central CT. Here are the Community pages for both years:
Community Page for Living Flame 1 Experience
Community Page for Living Flame 2 Experience
In the Summer of 2015 Contemplative Outreach Boston sponsored Contemplative Outreach Centering Prayer Presenter Training offered in the greater Hartford Area. Seven folks were trained over two weekends, since then, 2 of the 7 have become Commissioned Presenters of Centering Prayer.
Here are the final updates on the Second Annual Day of Prayer held on June 6, 2015.