The contemplatives rarely had a parish priest preach regarding the contemplative way.  Pastors care for the flock wherever they are in life.  Read about the saints, the contemplative ones often times where naturally inclined to such contemplation through the prompting of the holy spirit, and they were taught by other contemplatives.  So, yes the church does teach the contemplative path, just not in the pulpit.  Many of the doctors of the church were contemplatives.  The doctors of the church are teachers of the church.

We can not expect the church to hold our hand through every stage of our spiritual development, it can guide us, and be a beacon to heaven, but without allowing ourselves to be tested in the valley of the shadow of death, or the dark night of the soul, then we won't receive the refinement of the soul necessary for whole union with God.