Retreat with two friends

[PoorWretch]

Hi All

I have managed to convince two of my friends to go on a Catholic youth retreat with me. They are like brothers to me, I have known them since I was small.

The thing is, I would like to help them get closer to God. I know that true conversions are made from the Holy Spirit, yet we are often his instruments. Therefore I seek advice on how to act and what to say during the retreat. It lasts around two days.

Both of them are baptized Catholics, however neither of them are practicing. Unfortunately they have been carried off by the wave of the modern attitude of laxness towards religion. One of them occasionally reads the Bible and I feel that he would be more open to reconsidering his stance. The other one is still searching for answers, with a fairly liberal outlook on life.

I am not writing this to complain about them or to brag about how much of a brilliant Catholic I am (very far from it), I genuinely want to help them. I want to engage them to make them reconsider where their lives are going and renounce sin. Any tips on how to approach any Evangelization or even how to get them to think would be much appreciated.

<edit: please pray that the Holy Spirit stirs their hearts>

 

[AKDee]

The fact that they’ve agreed to go to the retreat indicates to me that the Holy Spirit is already at work.

I will pray for them and you that this retreat bears the most fruit possible in all your lives.

 

[tawny]

Praying to the Holy Spirit for the intentions of you & your friends.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Tell them to leave their electronics at home, esp. if it is a silent retreat.

 

[PoorWretch]

Thanks for your prayers

We have had a brilliant time. One went to confession for the first time in 12 years. The other one agreed to read a copy of UCat. I am very happy that their souls have been stirred. God and Our Lady have definitely been at work.

They are still strenuously fighting some of the Church’s teachings, especially on purity, but I was very much the same until recently. I realize things like that take time.

Any other suggestions on how to strike the iron while its hot would be much appreciated.

God Bless and a very sincere thank you!

 

[Mummsie]

Thanks for your prayers

We have had a brilliant time. One went to confession for the first time in 12 years. The other one agreed to read a copy of UCat. I am very happy that their souls have been stirred. God and Our Lady have definitely been at work.

They are still strenuously fighting some of the Church’s teachings, especially on purity, but I was very much the same until recently. I realize things like that take time.

Any other suggestions on how to strike the iron while its hot would be much appreciated.

God Bless and a very sincere thank you!

Hi,

I just saw a guy on Journey Home talking about the evangelization of men. They have a web sight. www.newemangelization.com Hopefully you can get some ideas there. Good Job on reaching out!!

God Bless You