Adult Spirituality & Retreats

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Hearts Aflame

This retreat presents the term FIRE BUILDERS as an acronym for spiritual leaders. Each alphabet letter represents a term that will be "unpacked" as the opening exercise of the retreat. Three additional conferences follow that engage the retreatant in personal reflection and small group sharing:

  • Kindling Wood for the Fire – A creative look into the Beatitudes & Works of Mercy
  • Fuel for the Fire of Ministry – A consideration of core Gospel values & principles of Catholic social teaching
  • Ignited by the Spirit – A consideration of sin, virtue, fruits of the Spirit and the challenge of evangelization.

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    PRAYER
    (A) Prayer-Ways for Busy Days
    (B) Kindling Wood for the Fire
    (C) Prayer Forms that Nurture Spirituality

    Prayer happens when personal life experience meets the Word of God – and relates! Personal spirituality is marked by:

    • • recognition of the presence of God,
    • • communication, and
    • • participation in God's life

    This interactive presentation introduces a variety of prayerful techniques aimed at experiencing God through the experiences of one's life. Prayer forms are the kindling wood that feeds the fire of adult prayer life and enriches classroom environments.

     
    ADVENT ----- The Advent Journey to Jesus

    Through conference, contemplation, personal sharing, and guided imagery:

    • • Discover DESERT places for your soul.
    • • Accompany the ADVENT FIGURES (Mary of Nazareth, Elizabeth of Judah, John the Baptist).
    • • Search the DESERT of your HEART

     
    LENT ----- A Lenten Fasting that Leads to LIFE

    Lenten fasting is intended as an opportunity for LIFE-SEEKERS to Choose Life to the Full. Abstinence and portion control of food is but one aspect of fasting. True fasting streamlines the ego through making conscious choices for life – physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially and psychologically. For instance, one might try fasting from critical comments and feeding on encouragement or other similar parallels. Lenten Fasting that Leads to Life situates retreatants within a scriptural context:

    • • to name life-giving and life-blocking behaviors
    • • to define fasting in terms of Isaiah 58
    • • to apply creative thinking to the practice of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy
    • • to identify personal issues that are in need of conversion

     
    mary -----
    (A) Mary, Model and Mentor for MinistrY
    (B) Mary Ways Through All Our Days

    Using Powerpoint slides of Mary-images as a backdrop for small-group discussion, retreatants will identify qualities of Mary that emerge in the Gospels and draw parallels, hope, comfort, and support for their daily living. Retreatants will be directed in the use of several creative Marian prayer exercises. Individually and corporately, participants will reflect on the Rosary as a unique medium/tool for contemplation and imitation.


    eucharist ----- in times of feast and famine

    Eucharist is food for the journey during all seasons – times of feast and, particularly, in times of famine, failure, or desolation.  The retreat utilizes conference, private reflection, song, guided meditation, and corporate prayer to celebrate the gift of Eucharist. 

    Four themes form the focus for the day:
    •  Hungers of the Human Heart and Food that Satisfies (John 6)
    •  The Last Supper Action Plan (John 14-17)
    •  Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Christian Life
    •  Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

    Participants need a copy of the New Testament, a retreat packet and a pen/pencil.

     

    Pope John Paul II: Starting Afresh from Christ. Be Not Afraid!

    The words, example and spirituality of John Paul II give practical direction for the task of "Starting Afresh from Christ." Through conferences, private reflection, group sharing, PowerPoint slides, and video clips retreat participants will explore four elements:

    • • the challenge contained in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millenio Ineunte / At the Beginning of the New Millennium. Part 3, "Starting Afresh from Christ"
    • • how the Spirituality of Communion presented by John Paul II offers guideposts for crafting love in a home or a classroom
    • • the meaning of forgiveness, the paralyzing effects of un-forgiveness, and tips for teaching children how to forgive
    • • the spiritual legacy of JPII particularly (1) devotion to Mary, (2) devotion to Divine Mercy, (3) reform of the rosary

     
    Teresa of Calcutta: Called to be an INSTRUMENT in God's Hand

    Teresa of Calcutta said, "Be a little instrument in His hands so that He can use you at any time, anywhere." Conference sessions will focus on characteristics that are basic to being an INSTRUMENT of Grace for others. The retreat includes conferences, private reflection, group sharing and corporate prayer.