Retreat Planning Help Needed (Roman Catholic)

N/A | 21 April 2004 | Myself

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

My Catholic Center at my University (to remain nameless), has two retreats a year, one in the fall, and one in the spring. This year I have volunteered to help lead the Spring retreat with a number of other students (my goal being to ensure Orthodoxy and to develop a spiritual retreat). Anyway, I have a few ideas for what to do, but I would like to pick the brains of our Catholic Caucus for your recommendations. You are an incredible fountain of knowledge, I would be amiss not to use you. So any suggestions, comments, concerns, etc. Only one of the fellow leaders is a theological liberal as far as I can tell.

[NYer]

I am aware that divorced people may not be able to take communion, but what is the status of the cohabiting, the "shacking up"--the living in sin? Are they "in good standing"?

Cohabiting would fall under the sin of adultery. That is a mortal sin. For a comprehensive review, click on the following link.

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

Here is the Brainstorm list I ultimately submitted, thanks again for all your input.

1. more time for silent, individual prayer, more relaxing, more centering, think it would be useful.
2. If we do a human continuum -- have Fr. Ken, yourself, one of the leaders explain the Church teaching on the issue (i.e. gay marriage, contraception -- the moral absolutes) so that it isn't left at a whatever you feel like is ok
3. Adoration -- maybe at night set it up for a vigil, everyone takes a half-hour till morning, something like that.
4. If we do witness talks, some educational talks to (e.g. if we have a witness talk on someone's faith, then have an educational talk on a well-formed conscience or on the call to Evangelize, etc)
5. A little study of the Church fathers (e.g. St. Igantius (plus it is a cool name) of Antioch letter to the Smyrnaeans (or one of his six others)) -- see and appreciate the apostolic foundation of the faith
6. Maybe pray the Liturgy of the Hours as a priest would, so morning prayer, etc through the day, keeping prayer and personal prayer as a focus
7. Gospel of John, as this is Springtime, focus on the light, hence John's Gospel is excellent in its imagery
8. Utilize the Readings of the Day for Friday/Saturday for themes of the retreat
9. Group prayer in the evening, break off into small groups and pray aloud together.
10. short daily Mass on Saturday
11. pray Rosary, Divine Mercy

[undirish01]

Good grief!

Can I come??!!!

Just kidding. Very pregnant wife at home. Sounds great to me ROTC.

Go for it.

[Desdemona]

No confession? Honestly, every retreat I've ever heard of or done that was worth anything included confession. Well, if you can get the priests.

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

That's a standard on the retreats, but very few people take advantage of it.

[drstevej]

Hey, where is the key note evangelism sermon at your retreat from yours truly, the Pocket Fisher of Men?

Take Your Pick:

"Reeling them in the Easy Way"
"Avoiding the Catch and Release Syndrome"
"If You're Gonna Eat Fish on Friday, You Gotta Cast Some Lures during the Week"

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

You are a treasure, and I love the topics, gotta run with 'em. Make some tapes, I'll buy.

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

Don't worry it will be offered. It just won't be taken advantage of :(.

[Wrigley]

What type of retreat? Because depending on the type, they could ask either the French or Spanish Roman Catholics.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Make sure you have a concrete theme/purpose for the retreat with solid goals and outcome. In other words, during and at the end of the retreat, people shouldn't be asking "Why am I here?" Don't make it too abstract. I like the idea of relating Church teachings to the challenges of college students' lives.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Teaching the basics. I like it.

[lightman]

Excellent list. As others have noted, Confession (even if underutilized) should always be offered. Who know...perhaps the presenter---or the Church Fathers, like St. Ignatius---may spark such an awareness of sin that the participants will crave the grace of the Absolution!

[Salvation]

Many people think that if a Catholic is divorced that he or she cannot receive Holy Communion.

This belief is in error. As long as the divorced individual does not remarry, then the divorced person can receive Communion.

The other things you have mentioned would be considered adulterous, in my opinion. but I cannot make that judgment. The person would have to talk with a priest in the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).

[Salvation]

**That's a standard on the retreats, but very few people take advantage of it.**

then this could be one of your discussions on the moral absolute of not receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist while in sin.

On a retreat I did recently there were four priests and everyone went to Reconciliation -- even the non-Catholics! We explained that it was going in and talking with the priest. (Of course, no absolution was given to the non-Catholics -- just a blessing by the priest.)

All in all -- it was awesome.

[Salvation]

It seems that you were going to have your retreat around this time of May. Have you had it yet? How did it go?

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

Retreat went well. Very relaxing and prayerful. A large number of the retreatants took the oppurtunity to go to confession. I think all in all, a prayerful experience. Thank you for asking.