Amato, Father Nicholas: - Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 1970, Father Amato has served as pastor for 21 years. He has graduate degrees and vast experience in the areas of theology, management, psychology and spirituality. In addition to his role as pastor he served as the Vicar for Education for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and as a spiritual integrator at St. Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland. He now is on staff at the Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland, responsible to a staff of 46 and more than 300 volunteer ministers in the areas of spiritual enrichment and self-care. A practitioner of contemplative prayer since the early 1970's, the power of silence and its fruits have manifested themselves in his publications, preaching, and staff development. This second edition of an earlier book, has been expanded in its content and appendixes and is meant for both the individual interested in developing a deeper contemplative practice and applying contemplative prayer to ministry.