ACTS Retreat for the introverted

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cassopher

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Our parish has put an emphasis on calling its parishioners to join in the ACTS Retreat the past two years or so. I have been invited by our Deacon and some friends that have gone to the 2 mens retreats but I don’t think they are for me. I am very much an introvert and very socially awkward at times almost to the point to where I pull away from people at times due to my shyness. I feel like people are disappointed that I haven’t taken the leap and gone to the retreats. I’m sure it would help strengthen my spirituality but I’m not the type of person to share in front of a large group of people. I would be terrified. I want to get the most out of my faith, I really do, but ACTS is not something I’m sure I could do.
 
It is a personal decision. If I were you, I would pray to overcome the shyness. I’ve never found a retreat to be intimidating on anyone.
 
Can you perhaps go to a different retreat that is more your style, such as a silent retreat, and let the folks at your parish know that?

I really don’t think a parish should be pushing people to go to a specific retreat or a specific type of retreat. There are different kinds of retreats because people have different personalities and are looking for different types of experiences, or have different needs for their spiritual life. I’m moderately introverted but I don’t like to share personal or emotional experiences very much, and would shy away from any retreat that compelled me to share personal stuff with others, especially people from my parish who I’d have to see again. I was required to go to some youth retreat in high school and had a mixed to negative experience and not happy about being made to do that.
 
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If i were in our shoes I’d try a going to a silent retreat at an Abby.
 
I think a silent retreat would be more my cup of tea. I may call our diocese and get more information about it.
 
Do you have to speak? I’m an introvert, too. But if you think it would be good for you, maybe just try it, and if you don’t want to do anymore, just leave.

Don’t worry about what others think about it, though. That doesn’t matter.
 
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