Koinonia, anyone?

[bettyg51]

Grace and Glory:

I’ve been on a koinonia retreat with my church, which is very orthodox. The people on the retreat don’t talk much about it to people who haven’t gone because part of the retreat is learning to participate in what is going on rather than trying to anticipate what is going to happen next. …on the whole, a good experience.

I, too, went on several Koinonia retreats in Springfield, IL an dSt. Louis, MO when I reverted. The ones I experienced were like Cursillo and Teens Encounter Christ weekends, except both men and women attend. They were all powerful, faith building weekends that helped me enormously! My husband wasn’t impressed as much as I. It sounds like we had a similar type of weekend, because the mystery around it attracted me to go.
I’ve heard it has spred and is parish weekend, commuter format now.
Betty

 

[javelin]

Sorry if this is still off-topic----

I don’t know anything of “koinonia” churches, so I can’t help you there.

As others have stated (kinda), “koinonia” is simply a greek word, and not specifically “possessed” by any denomination.

Please don’t unneccesarily fear that things associated with the word are unorthodox or non-Catholic if it shows up in Catholic churches in your area. I went on several retreats that were called “Koinonia” retreats in central Illinois (once as a participant, and several other times on the team planning and running the retreat). They are community-building (hence the name choice) experiences aimed at re-connecting people with their Catholic faith. All retreats I attended were orthodox. There was secrecy about the specifics of what people were going to experience, but it was simply meant to immerse people in an experience with God. A priest was always present, and the weekend included sacramental reconciliation and daily Eucharist.

Many people had wonderful experiences there. There were also some who didn’t connect and a few who disliked it.

Peace,
javelin

 

[MCOLE]

HELLO EVERYONE:wave:
Thanks to all for all the good information!

I love Catholic Answers!

M

 

[mark_a]

MCOLE:

I’ve already posted my question to the Apologists, but I thought maybe someone could answer me a bit sooner. What are their beliefs? I have found the “definition” but can’t find anything telling me about what they do and/or believe.

Thanks a bunch
M

Are you speaking of the commune-like group in Georgia? If so, I heard a piece on NPR about them.

I’m not sure of their theology, but it sounded really admirable to me. They were racially diverse and ingenious in finding ways to survive in a very racially bigotted era.

 

[gusano]

javelin:

Sorry if this is still off-topic----

I don’t know anything of “koinonia” churches, so I can’t help you there.

As others have stated (kinda), “koinonia” is simply a greek word, and not specifically “possessed” by any denomination.

Please don’t unneccesarily fear that things associated with the word are unorthodox or non-Catholic if it shows up in Catholic churches in your area. I went on several retreats that were called “Koinonia” retreats in central Illinois (once as a participant, and several other times on the team planning and running the retreat). **They are community-building (hence the name choice) experiences aimed at re-connecting people with their Catholic faith. ** All retreats I attended were orthodox. There was secrecy about the specifics of what people were going to experience, but
it was simply meant to immerse people in an experience with God. A priest was always present, and the weekend included sacramental reconciliation and daily Eucharist.

Many people had wonderful experiences there. There were also some who didn’t connect and a few who disliked it.

Peace,
javelin

Thanks for your post, Javelin,
I believe You have offered insight on what "Koinonia " is in Truth.
and I like your choice of words …such as
“Re-connecting”…
“Immerse people in an experience wirh God”…
“Sacramental Reconciliating and Eucharist”…
The Holy Spirit is drawing us all into The New Covenant by these experiences.

Thanks again

gusano

 

[Walking_Home]

Mr. Gusano

1. Kerygma
2. Kiononia
3. Eucharistia
4. Marturia - be a witness to Christs’ resurrection, by removing the blockages.

Please elaborate on these four things that you have commited to and how they apply in your life (changed your life), especially #4. What blockages did you free yourself from that have led you to the Truth.

Your reply you be greatly appreciated

Walking Home
Connie

 

[gusano]

Walking_Home:

Mr. Gusano

1. Kerygma
2. Kiononia
3. Eucharistia
4. Marturia - be a witness to Christs’ resurrection, by removing the blockages.

Please elaborate on these four things that you have commited to and how they apply in your life (changed your life), especially #4. What blockages did you free yourself from that have led you to the Truth.

Your reply you be greatly appreciated

Walking Home
Connie

Hi Connie,
Where do I start ?..The Holy Spirit wants to lead us (all) to deepen our grasp of the Paschal Mystery and make it the No. 1 part of our lives.
These (4) aspects of the Gospel work in us spiritually, like the (4) wheels work mechanically on a 4WD vehicle…if one wheel is flat, it is still a nice vehicle but you can’t go very far !

If you are involved in The Catechumenate in your parrish, you may obtain a manual (RCIA) from the RCIA director, which very nicely gleans this Awesome insight from the Scripture and reveals what the Apostles taught in the infant church.

one needs to pray for a prayer language.
one needs to pray to get into the scripture.
one needs to pray to be led by the Holy Spirit…and above all
one needs to get very familiar with the principle of revelation given to us by Our Lord in Matt.11:25-30 (especially Verse 27)

What blockages did I free myself from that have led me to the Truth ?
Actually, it works the other way around…Jesus says “You will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” John 8:32
I can’t free myself from any blockages…but amazingly, at the Altar, Jesus has freed me of all kinds of bondages and blockages… one by one ! Yahoo !, Alleluia !
The first one was hidden anger, (bad temper, rage).

Have you ever attempted to do at the Altar what St Paul “begs us” to do ? (in Romans 12:1)…Try it, experiment with it, as you go.
Life Changes ?"…
I love the intimate Relationship I (a sinner) have with Christ…
I rest and enjoy the ride …(journey) …in my Baptism.
I understand and wholeheartedly enjoy The New Covenant…
I witness to everybody the Lord sends me…as I am led by the Holy Spirit…
I am always filled with That New Living Hope described in 1 Peter 1:3-10 and Heb.6:18,19…nothing gets me down.
I am madly inlove with The Eucharist, the whole Eucharistic Celebration !..all that is catholic.
There is not enough room on this thread to tell you all the Testimonies the Lord has accomplished in my life !
It humbles me to know what a Loving Friend we have in Jesus…
in every Mass, in every moment of every day !

I hope this helps a little
Ask Jesus what He would love to give to you.

gusano