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phoage
Guest
I think so.
Patrick
AMDG
Patrick
AMDG
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Horton
Guest
I understand there is little information from folks who have done them. I’ve never done ACT so I can’t speak to it. As for Cursillo there is a good reason not a lot of information is given. Those putting on the retreat want the participants to come without specific expectations. One of the reasons each participant has a sponsor for Cursillo is to handle the unexpected. If someone wants to leave a Cursillo, they are free to do so. I drove to the church when I made my Cursillo. There is no rule saying you can’t. But if someone wants to leave, their sponsor is supposed to make it happen.
One of the aspects of a retreat like this is to have the team take care of the participants. To allow the participants to disconnect from the world. Clocks are taken down, watches are left home, no electronics including cell phones. A complete disconnect from the world. There is time for prayer, adoration, reflection, and group activities. It isn’t all one or the other. There is silence, there is time for reconciliation, and yes, there is time to just be with people you care about. There is time for laughter, there is time for tears, and there is time for everything between.
Every person who makes a Cursillo will have a different reaction. When I made mine, I didn’t know most of the women there and the ones I did know were casual acquaintance type. I had not shared a room in probably 15 years at that point, especially with complete strangers. However I gave that anxiety over to God telling him I would submit to his will for the weekend and allow him to work in me. Many of my closest friends came from that retreat.
I think we often forget to ask God what he wants us to do when opportunities like retreats come up. We have our own ideas of what is good or bad and we choose based on that. Had God not led me to a Cursillo and then given me the grace to submit to his will I would not be the Catholic I am today.
So when I hear folks say “I’d never go to a retreat that tells me what to do” or “I’m not going to a retreat unless I have an outline and CV of each speaker” or “no one is going to tell me I can’t bring my phone” I feel sad because they are getting in the way of something God may want them to do, a way he may want to reach them, a way he wants to heal them or given peace.
One of the aspects of a retreat like this is to have the team take care of the participants. To allow the participants to disconnect from the world. Clocks are taken down, watches are left home, no electronics including cell phones. A complete disconnect from the world. There is time for prayer, adoration, reflection, and group activities. It isn’t all one or the other. There is silence, there is time for reconciliation, and yes, there is time to just be with people you care about. There is time for laughter, there is time for tears, and there is time for everything between.
Every person who makes a Cursillo will have a different reaction. When I made mine, I didn’t know most of the women there and the ones I did know were casual acquaintance type. I had not shared a room in probably 15 years at that point, especially with complete strangers. However I gave that anxiety over to God telling him I would submit to his will for the weekend and allow him to work in me. Many of my closest friends came from that retreat.
I think we often forget to ask God what he wants us to do when opportunities like retreats come up. We have our own ideas of what is good or bad and we choose based on that. Had God not led me to a Cursillo and then given me the grace to submit to his will I would not be the Catholic I am today.
So when I hear folks say “I’d never go to a retreat that tells me what to do” or “I’m not going to a retreat unless I have an outline and CV of each speaker” or “no one is going to tell me I can’t bring my phone” I feel sad because they are getting in the way of something God may want them to do, a way he may want to reach them, a way he wants to heal them or given peace.
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awesomecatholic
Guest
I have never been on one but I think it will be worth the time. You will have time for the sacraments and grow closer to God. I have heard many good things about the retreats the Sisters of Life hold.
T
TheLittleLady
Guest
OR there are people with different sorts of spiritual personalities. Neither one is better or wrong, they are different. I don’t like pistachio ice cream or hand-bell choirs, I’d rather be drowned than to go on a commercial cruise ship or to Branson, MO. Other people love these things/places.So when I hear folks say “I’d never go to a retreat that tells me what to do” or “I’m not going to a retreat unless I have an outline and CV of each speaker” or “no one is going to tell me I can’t bring my phone” I feel sad because they are getting in the way of something God may want them to do, a way he may want to reach them, a way he wants to heal them or given peace.
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UpUpAndAway
Guest
This is a pretty bold statement. I don’t know how you can be so sure about this. It might be the case, or it might not.they are getting in the way of something God may want them to do, a way he may want to reach them, a way he wants to heal them or given peace.
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phoage
Guest
The ones was was on were , but both were put on by the same parish.
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Tis_Bearself
Patron
Do you not think that some of us do spend time talking to God and that God already leads us to spiritual activities that benefit us?
We are adults, we have preferences, and we’re not under a rule of obedience that says " You WILL do this or else." We are always telling people on here that with the exception of Mass obligations, prayer is a private devotion and people are free to choose what they like and don’t like. If someone tells me they like to read Scripture for an hour a day but just can’t get into praying the Rosary, then I don’t tell them they need to think more about it because maybe God wants them to pray the Rosary and they’re just being obstinate.
A retreat is also a private devotion, and for me to devote 3 days to one is a big outlay of my time. It might also be a big outlay of money for someone too, depending on their budget and the cost of the retreat. Isn’t it reasonable for a person to select a retreat that doesn’t rattle them or bother them or give them an anxiety attack? I have not yet had God push me to do some “spiritual practice” that would make me miserable for 3 days, unless it was a penitential fast. At my age, I think I have also been around the block enough with the “rah rah” or the "we control your whole schedule " type of experiences. It’s not like if I go to enough of them and make myself feel nervous, anxious and upset enough I’m going to have a Road to Damascus moment. If these benefit other people then fine. There are plenty of church activities from ACTS retreats to Opus Dei to soup and bread supper night that clearly other people find meaningful but that I don’t want to do. It’s a bit unfair of you to suggest people are closing their minds to God when they may be doing 5 or 10 other spiritual things and reject one or two out of hand.
We are adults, we have preferences, and we’re not under a rule of obedience that says " You WILL do this or else." We are always telling people on here that with the exception of Mass obligations, prayer is a private devotion and people are free to choose what they like and don’t like. If someone tells me they like to read Scripture for an hour a day but just can’t get into praying the Rosary, then I don’t tell them they need to think more about it because maybe God wants them to pray the Rosary and they’re just being obstinate.
A retreat is also a private devotion, and for me to devote 3 days to one is a big outlay of my time. It might also be a big outlay of money for someone too, depending on their budget and the cost of the retreat. Isn’t it reasonable for a person to select a retreat that doesn’t rattle them or bother them or give them an anxiety attack? I have not yet had God push me to do some “spiritual practice” that would make me miserable for 3 days, unless it was a penitential fast. At my age, I think I have also been around the block enough with the “rah rah” or the "we control your whole schedule " type of experiences. It’s not like if I go to enough of them and make myself feel nervous, anxious and upset enough I’m going to have a Road to Damascus moment. If these benefit other people then fine. There are plenty of church activities from ACTS retreats to Opus Dei to soup and bread supper night that clearly other people find meaningful but that I don’t want to do. It’s a bit unfair of you to suggest people are closing their minds to God when they may be doing 5 or 10 other spiritual things and reject one or two out of hand.
blackforest
Well-known member
By the way. I’m unfamiliar with the ACTS retreat. (Shame, shame on me). What is that? (Yes, they have a website. But I was wondering more from a been-there-done-that perspective . . . )So I am not saying your spiritual spa is a bad thing, but there are still lots of good retreats out there, one just has to look beyond the typical parish ACT retreat being offered.
The only retreat I was invited to by my parish was this one. https://dynamiccatholic.com/crhp
At the risk of thread-jacking, does anyone have experience with it?
Although I’ve made it obvious that I’ve personally only had bad experiences at group retreats, I’m not averse to attending the right one because I do believe in the power of two or three gathering together in His name.
My ideal group retreat would include prayer/meditation, thought-provoking reflections and discussion, communal meals, and some time alone - in Adoration or otherwise - to process everything. Above all, the retreat would feel authentic; it’s the emotional contrivances and other manipulations that leave a bad feeling in my stomach. Our Church hasn’t condemned these retreats, (maybe there have been some exceptions?), so I don’t condemn the people who attend and enjoy them. They’re just not my cup of Earl Grey . . .
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tafan2
Guest
I believe CRHP is similiar to ACTS. But you need to ask the folks inviting you. I do believe there is a level of emotional programming in ACTS and Curscillo, I do not know about CRHP.
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Horton
Guest
And no where in my post did I say “You must do this”. My point was there are some who have preconceived notions about certain types of retreats that come from other’s talking about a possible negative reaction to said retreats. Not all retreats are for everyone. However, there may be that one person who feels called to do certain types of retreats and see this thread. They then preconceived this notion that these types of retreats are bad and negative. That is what I think is unfair of the many of you who dismiss this type of retreat.
God works through all of us in very different ways and offers us many opportunities to experience his grace and mercy.
God works through all of us in very different ways and offers us many opportunities to experience his grace and mercy.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
You were unnecessarily critical of those who expressed a preference based on their known likes and dislikes. You suggested they were rejecting God’s guidance. This is way overbroad, and several people including myself rightly objected.
I’m muting this thread now because it seems like it’s turning into an argument with disrespect for other people’s reasonable preferences. And that just cements my position to avoid such retreats as you advocate, because I don’t want to encounter the viewpoint that if I don’t like some aspect of it, there must be something wrong with my spiritual life, as opposed to the retreat just not meeting my needs.
I’m muting this thread now because it seems like it’s turning into an argument with disrespect for other people’s reasonable preferences. And that just cements my position to avoid such retreats as you advocate, because I don’t want to encounter the viewpoint that if I don’t like some aspect of it, there must be something wrong with my spiritual life, as opposed to the retreat just not meeting my needs.
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DisorientingSneeze
Guest
It was indescribably good to be alone with God in the silence.I’m going on a silent mini retreat this Saturday.
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