Are you considering participation in an ACTS retreat?

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TX_Knight

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If you are considering going on an ACTS retreat, please look in your heart as to what is important to being a good Catholic Christian before making your decision. Several of my relatives and fellow parishioners have attended ACTS retreats. The following is what I have learned by observing them after their return.
  1. They will try to recruit you with the same aggressiveness as a stereotypical Amway sales rep recruiting more sales reps.
  2. It is very, very important to show off the cheap trinkets, especially the bracelet made out of fishing swivels. Flaunting that bracelet is more important than being a good Catholic Christian.
  3. Hanging out with ACTS buddies is more important than taking care of your own family, to include being with family members in the hospital facing death.
  4. Selfishness replaces helpfulness.
  5. I have found NO endorsement of ACTS by any bishop, any cardinal, or the Pope.
  6. ACTS is run by a group of individuals and is NOT affiliated with the Catholic Church – or any church.
To me, the atmosphere among them is more like a cult than that of a true Catholic Christian. Either you are one of them or you are less than them.

Ask yourself, what is more important – being a good Catholic Christian or belonging to a cult.
 
Wow, this post is so judgemental. I suggest attending one before you condemn these retreats. I know nothing about them and maybe you are right but please give others the respect to not judge them without attending the retreat.
 
I have never attended this program. However, is it possible not everyone who attends comes out as those you have witnessed?

Is it possible that ACTS does produce good fruit?

Is it possible, the person who acts as you described has a new found love for Christ and His Church, is so touched by what they found that had been lacking in their faith life that they want to express it to everyone - mistakenly thinking everyone lacks the same thing that they lacked?

Praise God for their new found strength. May God lead them to use this strength for God in a positive light. May anyone who is hurt by others through ACTS find healing.
 
I actually have never heard of an ACTS retreat. Could you please explain what they state their purpose to be (even if you personally believe it to be different), and if they consider themselves a Catholic organization (I was somewhat confused as to your reference that they have no affiliations with any church).
 
I believe my parish is interested in ACTS.

Is it like CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish) - I went through that, went on formation and presented it - LOVED IT! 👍
 
Judgemental? No. My comments are based on several months of observations and research into the group.

For those feel I should attend the retreat before “making judgement”, what if I was sharing information about another organization? For example, if I said a terrorist training camp was bad, would you insist that I attend one before saying it is bad?

The people I have seen return from ACTS retreats include my own brother and I saw a very drastic change in his attitude towards those around him.

When my parents go to group events, those people at the events with the fishing lure bracelets take a “I’m better than you” attitude towards those without bracelets. Am I being judgmental or stating what is happening?

How can it be judgmental when I state that I have seen no endorsements from any bishop, cardinal, or the Pope? That is simply stating a fact that ACTS has not been endorsed by the Catholic Church.

Why would people claiming to be better Catholic Christians because of a retreat be so hateful towards those that have not attended? If they truly are better because of attending, wouldn’t they want to be kind to those around them?

Did Jesus go out to the people or did he kick them to the side as lesser people and only associate with his apostles?

Please don’t turn a blind eye to what is happening inside some parishes as a result of this group.
 
I am unfamiliar with CRHP.

ACTS attendees are told not to discuss the retreat with those that have not attended, so even if I was familiar with CRHP, I couldn’t compare them. I can only tell you what the people are like when they come out of the ACTS retreat.

Why is ACTS secretive about what happens to people that attend?
 
RoseMary,

Yes, I have seen some people come out good, but they were good before going in. I have seen no one come out as a better Catholic Christian than they were before attending an ACTS retreat.
 
Mumbles,

ACTS was formed by individuals as a break-away group from the Cursillo. The “about” tab on the ACTS website has recently changed, but only a few months ago it did specifically state “broke away”. Martin Luther broke away from the Church to teach his own opinions rather than the teachings of the Church. Why would individuals want to break away from a recognized and acknowledged retreat to develop their own version?

The ACTS website also states that it is open to Catholics and non-Catholics. I have seen nothing on the ACTS website identifying any official affiliation with the Church. I researched the Vatican’s website and found no acknowledgement of ACTS. I research my arch diocese’s website and found no acknowledgement of ACTS.
 
Jessie5000 said:
Wow, this post is so judgemental. I suggest attending one before you condemn these retreats. I know nothing about them and maybe you are right but please give others the respect to not judge them without attending the retreat.
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Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good.

Be like the Wise Virgins, not the silly and foolish ones.
 
ACTS stands for Adoration, Community, Theology and Service. Sounds OK to me. From what I read, this movement is something that grew out of Cursillo, a short couse in Catholicism.(Christiantiy in its purest form).
Faithbuilding seems appropriate for any Catholic parish. IMHO
 
TX_Knight said:
I am unfamiliar with CRHP.

ACTS attendees are told not to discuss the retreat with those that have not attended, so even if I was familiar with CRHP, I couldn’t compare them. I can only tell you what the people are like when they come out of the ACTS retreat.

Why is ACTS secretive about what happens to people that attend?
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Cursillo is the same way.
TX_Knight said:
Mumbles,

ACTS was formed by individuals as a break-away group from the Cursillo. The “about” tab on the ACTS website has recently changed, but only a few months ago it did specifically state “broke away”. Martin Luther broke away from the Church to teach his own opinions rather than the teachings of the Church. Why would individuals want to break away from a recognized and acknowledged retreat to develop their own version?
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Some of what I have read about Cursillo indicated that they knew that being so secretive has caused them some problems.

Could be that they are moving toward being more open? 🤷 Maybe the ACTS people didn’t like that idea??

I do know that our local Cursillo is still as secretive as ever.
 
TX_Knight said:
Mumbles,

ACTS was formed by individuals as a break-away group from the Cursillo. The “about” tab on the ACTS website has recently changed, but only a few months ago it did specifically state “broke away”. Martin Luther broke away from the Church to teach his own opinions rather than the teachings of the Church. Why would individuals want to break away from a recognized and acknowledged retreat to develop their own version?
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That’s a fair question. If you wanted to improve Cursillo then why not stay and improve it. Unless their ideas were not considered improvements…
The ACTS website also states that it is open to Catholics and non-Catholics. I have seen nothing on the ACTS website identifying any official affiliation with the Church. I researched the Vatican’s website and found no acknowledgement of ACTS. I research my arch diocese’s website and found no acknowledgement of ACTS.
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hmmm…
They thought that several aspects of Cursillo could be improved in order to make the retreat more relevant to the needs of the parish, especially after the changes brought about by the Second Vatican Council. From the beginning, they all felt that it was important for the retreat to be open to everyone, not just to Catholics,
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Is the Mass celebrated at these retreats?
 
Disclaimer: I have never been to an ACTS, Cursillo, CRHP or anything like that before.
I have however witnessed folks’ behavior when they are involved in these type of movements.
I think it is a natural occurrence that they seem withdrawn or cliquish with their pals who went through the same retreat or whatever.
I think it is because they are working hard on clinging to whatever they learned, experienced or felt from said movement.
I have a great group of guys I am friends with. Most of them have done Cursillo. When they get on their Cursillo kick…I avoid them. Their behavior is almost…ummm…school girl-ish???. They are secretive and giddy…Especially when they are recruiting a new victim…errrr…member. 😃
But, we can’t judge the movement on a small sample size of folks in our given church parish. We have to have faith that the movement was well intentioned and these folks are just going rogue with their zeal.
The Libertarian in me says, “Let them have their cliques. I’ll continue on being a One Man Wolf Pack.” :cool:
 
TX_Knight said:
If you are considering going on an ACTS retreat, please look in your heart as to what is important to being a good Catholic Christian before making your decision. Several of my relatives and fellow parishioners have attended ACTS retreats. The following is what I have learned by observing them after their return.
  1. They will try to recruit you with the same aggressiveness as a stereotypical Amway sales rep recruiting more sales reps.
  2. It is very, very important to show off the cheap trinkets, especially the bracelet made out of fishing swivels. Flaunting that bracelet is more important than being a good Catholic Christian.
  3. Hanging out with ACTS buddies is more important than taking care of your own family, to include being with family members in the hospital facing death.
  4. Selfishness replaces helpfulness.
  5. I have found NO endorsement of ACTS by any bishop, any cardinal, or the Pope.
  6. ACTS is run by a group of individuals and is NOT affiliated with the Catholic Church – or any church.
To me, the atmosphere among them is more like a cult than that of a true Catholic Christian. Either you are one of them or you are less than them.

Ask yourself, what is more important – being a good Catholic Christian or belonging to a cult.
Click to expand...
 
So by their fruits you will know them…
regarding the “secrets”–would you deny a child the surprise and delight of unwrapping their own Christmas or birthday gift? the retreat is full of gifts of the Holy Spirit. Do we not have certain people we tust and share confidences with, and those we love yet it may be inappropriate to share in that way? that is the community that is offered (Never Forced!) through the retreat.
ACTS is endorsed and encouraged by the Bishop of my diocese; any Catholic Priest (who always serves as Spiritual Director at an ACTS retreat) is under his obedience. i was extremely skeptical, until i repeatedly saw that when my ministries needed volunteers to serve, new faces most often appeared from those who attended ACTS–and these volunteers have lasted over time, unlike so many who say “yes,” but do not follow through or stick around over the years.
Teen and Young Adult/College ACTS is bearing fruit where our Church has been dwindling.
Perpetual Adoration is largely accomplished by committed souls who came to know the value of Jesus Present in the Eucharist through ACTS–because practically speaking, you need robust folks who will venture out for this most worthy purpose in the middle of the night…enough adorers to be with Him every night of the year (except triduum).
i will agree we humans are prone to tribal behavior. it can result in inaccurate perceptions as well as hurt feelings. this is sad. let us all try to be as charitable when we pook at others as Christ!
regarding the “trinkets,” maybe you had a grandmother or great-aunt who piously foisted a scratchy green scapular over your neck at every visit…you didn’t realize til years later it was a meaningful way for her to show her love for both you and the Church. as far as i know the bracelet is only meant to be a personal “holy reminder.”
just my take on it. yes i have been on retreat and the lay team which presents the retreat. the level of discernment through the Holy Spirit, commitment of prayer, effort, coordination, time, etc. is all within a structure that works to only glorify our Lord and bring souls to Him.
approach or avoid as you see fit, but you wouldn’t be the first to change your mind and attend an ACTS retreat, and see through the eyes of Christ.
So by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:15-20 speaks volumes.
if the fruit you see is spoiled, maybe you could contact your local ACTS core group, i’m sure they would welcome constructive criticism.
 
angieAugustina said:
So by their fruits you will know them…
regarding the “secrets”–would you deny a child the surprise and delight of unwrapping their own Christmas or birthday gift? the retreat is full of gifts of the Holy Spirit. Do we not have certain people we tust and share confidences with, and those we love yet it may be inappropriate to share in that way? that is the community that is offered (Never Forced!) through the retreat.
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Many of us have already discussed the secrets of Cursillo, which sounds very similar to an ACTS “not a retreat.”

Secrets from loved ones and friends are very different than secrets from people you don’t know. And although you might want to call the gifts as being from the Holy Spirit, we already know the wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit. And we know that the Holy Spirit doesn’t give trinkets (fishing lure bracelets.)
 
angieAugustina said:
Perpetual Adoration is largely accomplished by committed souls who came to know the value of Jesus Present in the Eucharist through ACTS–because practically speaking, you need robust folks who will venture out for this most worthy purpose in the middle of the night…enough adorers to be with Him every night of the year (except triduum).
Click to expand...
We have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at my parish and we do not have the ACTS program.
just my take on it. yes i have been on retreat and the lay team which presents the retreat. the level of discernment through the Holy Spirit, commitment of prayer, effort, coordination, time, etc. is all within a structure that works to only glorify our Lord and bring souls to Him.
Click to expand...
So can you tell me if the Mass is celebrated on this retreat?
 
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