Parish Mission
Once a topic is determined and the details of sessions and time expectations are knoWN,
a more developed description will be provided for advertising purposes.
Contact DrPatMcCormack@aol.com to request a RESERVATION FORM.
TRANSFIGURED AND TRANSFORMED
The process of transformation is powered by the grace of God when we are intentional about turning over to God all the pieces of our lives. This mission focuses on ways that we can cooperate in the process of personal transformation. Sessions will illustrate Gospel-prayer as a vital tool in the transformation process and recommend Mary and the saints as mentors and models of transformation.
MARY – MOTHER, MODEL AND MENTOR
Mission-participants will journey with Mary through the seven sorrows of her life… learning that all of life's events – even suffering -- hold the potential of personal transformation, even suffering. (Conference remarks will integrate reflections of Joyce Rupp (1999), Your Sorrow is My Sorrow.)
MARY-WAYS THROUGH ALL OUR DAYS
One powerful Marian title is Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Mary housed Jesus within her womb, birthed him, formed his personality and character, initiated his first public miracle, accompanied him in his gospel ministry, shared in his Passion, stood at his cross, cradled his dead, broken body in her arms, tutored the apostles and disciples in the Cenacle, and she embraced her vocation to mother us as she mothered her son. . . “Like mother; like son!”
The Parish Mission will focus on Mary as Mentor and Model for our personal life journeys. We will hear a call to imitate Mary’s responses to the Marker Moments of her life as Handmaid, Mother, and Evangelizer.
walk the advent highwaY
Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight the pathways to your heart! The mission will guide participants through
the desert of their lives to the oasis of God's desire for them to: Follow the AdventTriptik, to Travel with Advent Mentor-Companions, and to Procure Food for the Advent Journey.
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. This mission situates participants 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, and to identify personal issues that are in need of conversion. 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.
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. This mission utilizes conference, private reflection, song, guided meditation, and corporate prayer to celebrate the gift of Eucharist.
(For each session participants need a copy of the New Testament, a retreat packet and a pen/pencil.)
KINDLING WOOD FOR THE FIRE
This mission focuses on creative ways to pray with the Gospels. Prayer "happens" the Word of God intersects with your human experience. Participants will be exposed to a variety of prayer exercises guaranteed to animate their spiritual life! The prayer exercises include: Centering Prayer, Meditation, Scripture Journaling, Surfacing Prayer, Bubble Prayer, Prayer of the Imagination [Continuing the Gospel Narrative, Character Dialogue, Character Letter Writing] and Appointment Prayer.