Kerygma/ Light of the World

[OutinChgoburbs]

There is one of these coming up in our parish.

From my research, it seems within Church (big C) teaching.

However, the individual members of the parish were really pushed last time it was offered to attend, not merely encouraged. It is alleged to be “life-changing”. I’ve heard that before this about a lot of retreats and programs that have come down the pike over the years. It’s always a more fashionable thing than an actual life-changing event.

While the 3 days involved seem OK enough, and it is on parish grounds, after the retreat, people are strongly encouraged to join “small groups”. Quite frankly, “small groups” seem to be a big waste of an individual’s time and talent (or is that my ego), subordinated to the “group”. I also see dangers of the group becoming overly important. I also don’t want to see cliques of the non-kerygmas versus the kerygma people.

We have another adult catechetical program that our bishop has mandated for all parishes as well starting early next year.

Anybody been on one of these retreats? Postives? Negatives?

 

[puzzleannie]

don’t be suspicious of small groups, they can be energizing and renewing for individuals and parishes. the danger is that they get hijacked by persons or groups pushing an agenda. my experience of small groups, formed in the context of various retreat and renewal programs in 3 parishes, is extremely positive. With any spiritual or educational offering for adults, pushing or forcing people to participate is counter-productive. The parish would be better served by ascertaining the needs and desires of the parishioners and striving to meet them in the programs it offers.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

puzzleannie:

don’t be suspicious of small groups, they can be energizing and renewing for individuals and parishes. the danger is that they get hijacked by persons or groups pushing an agenda. my experience of small groups, formed in the context of various retreat and renewal programs in 3 parishes, is extremely positive. With any spiritual or educational offering for adults, pushing or forcing people to participate is counter-productive. The parish would be better served by ascertaining the needs and desires of the parishioners and striving to meet them in the programs it offers.

I guess that’s it, I am suspicious of small groups. I don’t want to get hihjacked, and I don’t want to highjack.

 

[ckbrown]

Hi, I am part of a team in the Baker Diocese of Eastern Oregon that is using this evangelization/conversion retreat program, under the supervision and approval of our most excellent Bishop Robert Vasa. He originally introduced the idea of these parish-based retreats using the S.I.N.E. evangelization program which originated in Mexico, and has been used with GREAT success in the Lincoln NB diocese he originated from.

Our diocesean team renamed the program the Zacheaus Retreats (Jesus invites you to come out of your tree and be with Me!) because apparently the “Light of the World” term has some negative connotations in the Hispanic community with some type of non-Christian group.

In our diocese, the retreat team (1 diocese employee plus several volunteers) comes at the invitation of the local parish priest and/or parishioners. The retreat is free for all those who chose to attend, although a collection is made to cover costs for food and supplies contributed by the parish. The retreat begins Friday night and ends Sunday afternoon. The retreat consists of a series of talks given by team members, a variety of small group discussions, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass, songs, a Eucharistic Procession and time for reflection, renewal of Baptism, time for Sacrament of Reconciliation, receiving Jesus Christ as Savior, renewal of Confirmation, prayer for infilling of the Holy Spirit and laying on of hands for the Holy Spirit, snacks and meals, and development of small groups/communities for on-going spiritual development of those participating in the retreat.

The talks include the kerygma (the basic Gospel message of the Good News!!!), “God’s Love for Us”, “Our Enemies and Their Effects”, “Jesus: God’s Gift”, “A Conversion of Heart”, “Faith in Jesus”, “The Holy Spirit Gives New Life”, “Making Jesus Lord of Your Life”, “Promise of the Father”, “Power of the Holy Spirit”, “Surrender our Lives to the Spirit”. Each builds upon the prior, leading us through God’s love, our separation from God by our sin, the gift of salvation through Jesus, conversion, being empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a Christian life.

I assure you that this is a very Catholic, very holy, very inspiring, very wonderful retreat…whether in its S.I.N.E. (Systemic Integral New Evangelization) or in the Light of the World form! Our Bishop Vasa (known as a very orthodox guy!!) puts his “personal stamp of approval” by participating in every one he can, and giving at least one or two talks…and we have put on about 15 (?) retreats in the past 3-4 years in the diocese. Yes, the Holy Spirit is a big part of it, with laying on of hands, but I assure you…this is done in the church, in a reverent and dignified manner, and the Holy Spirit is a gentleman in how He deals with each person. The Eucharistic Procession is a wonderful, heart-rending part of the retreat, remember the story of the woman with the bleeding problem, who in faith just wanted to touch the hem of His garment to be healed…think along those lines when Jesus approaches you in the Blessed Sacrament.

The small group component is how the parish continues in its spiritual journey. The folks who participate in the retreat are organized into small groups, for an initial 6-week follow up. Groups meet weekly for worship, prayer, sharing, and spiritual discussions, using a manual that supplements and complements what was presented at the retreat: “Remain and Persevere: Becoming Disciples and Apostles of Christ”.

After the initial 6 weeks, we then divided into 2 smaller groups (based on geography and driving distances) and are now working our way through some encylicals. My group is doing the one On Evangelization in the Modern World (1975) by Pope Paul VI. This is the first small group I have been able to be a part of (closer to home), although I have helped with 5 or 6 retreats. Being a member of a small group is a very important part of being a Christian, of being a Catholic, of being a member of your parish community. You need to have others around you to share your journey, to support you, and for your to share with and to support them…plus, you have all gone through the retreat together, so are starting off with a common basis and “vocabulary” for your discussions.

I heartily encourage you to attend this retreat…go with an open mind, welcome whatever God is pleased to give you, and wear comfortable clothing. Encourage your pastor and parish leaders to attend. If you have more questions, contact the Baker Diocese office in Bend, Oregon and ask about the Zaccheus retreats…you’ll be put in touch with the diocean employee who runs the program.
Glad you asked, glad I saw your post, glad you are interested in growing in your Catholic faith!!! God bless you!!!

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Thanks! This has been offered in our parish before this. Another parish facilitated it for awhile, but now our parish has its own people to do it. Nobody says much about it except that it is wonderful, that every parishioner should do it, and all are STRONGLY encouraged to do so- oh and there is food, lots of food, as if the food is so important.

I am still funny about small groups. I don’t think they are necessary for everybody. I have a regular confession time every week and go to Mass daily except Saturday. I have a part time apostolate. The whole small group thing seems well, contrived, to me.

And I had a bad experience way back when with Life in the Spirit seminars. The people running it got a little carried away with the whole “submit” thing. I am not submitting my life to a small group for review and inspection. So that is what I am trying to avoid. There was also a sort of clique-ishness from the “born again” charistmatic bunch over the regular folks in the pews I found distasteful.