2014 st. laurence staff retreat

PARISH OF ST. LAURENCESTAFF RETREATJULY 5 , 2014

Changing Water Into WineBecoming the Person God Created You To Be

Lord Jesus Christ, We thank you for having called us together here.

We offer you what we are about to undertake,everything we think, do and experience

    during these coming days in your honor.

We also offer you the fatigue of the past week,and from the various events of this day,

    because this – too - is our “daily bread.”

Grant that we may begin this retreat with a spirit of hope and anticipation

That you will feed our hearts and souls in the time ahead...

    in the name of the Father and of the Son    and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen

Pathway – Tuesday

BIG PICTURE - Us, The Church & the New Evangelization: New paradigms ! Sacred vs. Secular

Office vs. Talent vs. CharismCall & Mission & The “Affirmative

Way”

Pathway – Wednesday

From “Feast of Corpus Christi”Genesis 14:18 – 20

Identity of the issue Source of the problem Antidote to the dilemma Examples of hope

Current View of the Catholic Church

Current View of the Catholic Church

Current View of the Catholic Church

Current View of the Catholic Church

Current View of the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church and The New Evangelization

New Evangelization Challenges Us..

To see the world in a new lightTo see the Church in a new lightTo see ourselves in a new light

CHALLENGES OF THE NEW EVANGELIZATION

Pope John Paul II, 1988 US Bishops, 1980 & 1995

VATICAN II

Changed view of the laity:

From being simply disciples … Merely receive the spiritual gifts of the Church “Pray, Pay and Obey” “Meet my friend Sherri. She’s not ordained.”

(…with no context i.t.o. her as disciple/apostle)

…To disciples AND apostles (people who are sent)

SACRED VS. SECULAR

Church was place we went to: Hide from the world Rest from the world

Problem is when “secular” (area of the laity) is seen in opposition to the world.

SACRED VS. SECULAR

John Paul II: “Secular” is theological term The place to where we are sent Locus where we achieve holiness Laity possess “secular character” (cf charism)

NEW EVANGELIZATION

Paradigms are shifting:

In terms of Church Paradigm: Not just the parish area… From model where campus, rectory, convent, etc…

support the church building and the school.. Moving into the home, workplace, university,

entertainment centers …

NEW EVANGELIZATION

In terms of Personal Paradigm:

From street corner, testimonial, Bible thumping To Pope John Paul II’s “New Humanism.” Exactly what you are, who you are, what you do

naturally , what you do well, where you are.

Bringing Christ to others in a redemptive way. Confer Gabe Lyons, “Next Christians.”

NEW EVANGELIZATION

Grace flows through us in exactly the way God has made you.

Sharing your “faith experiences” with others by: Simply being who you are, and…. Using your gifts in a natural way.

VATICAN II

If sent, you need to know:

Where you are sent.To whom you are sentWhat to do once you get there.

Pathway – Wednesday

Charisms, Personalities and Discernment

Signs of Charisms

EvaluationAdditional ResourcesNext Steps

The “Affirmative Way”

ALL Catholics have been given a mandate: Authority Power Jurisdiction

ALL Catholics are consecrated for mission: Catholics find themselves in the

world, Directed towards and for the world, And achieve holiness within the

world.

The “Affirmative Way”

All Catholics are called to spiritual transformation.. In the midst of loving the world, ..and being in the midst of the world.

The world is the “agent” of your holiness. Bishops and priests provide the tradition Narrow focus

The laity take it, and apply it in the world Broad focus From Catherine of Siena to Palestrina.

The “Affirmative Way”

The world is the “agent” of your holiness.

Bishops and priests provide the tradition Narrow focus

The laity take it, and apply it in the world Broad focus From Catherine of Siena to Palestrina.

WE WILL NOT CHANGE THE STRUCTURES OF SOCIETY

ACCORDING TO SOME PRESCRIBED BLUEPRINT.

The “Affirmative Way”

HOWEVER….

The “Affirmative Way”

THIS IS NOT A USER FRIENDLY WORLD VIEW

The “Affirmative Way”

BUT IT IS A SCRIPTURAL WORLD VIEW

The “Affirmative Way”

Charisms in Scripture

Examples:

Romans 12

I Corinthians 12

Ephesians 4

Elsewhere ..

Signs of Charisms

Christians are to expect that charisms are to be present.

Scriptural basis of what it means to be “Catholic.”(Yet, prudence and wisdom in dispensing the

gift/charism.)

This has not been the case/experience of most Catholics. Exceptions – Charismatic Renewal, Cursillo, Marriage

Encounter Beginning to manifest itself as fewer priests/sisters available.

END OF PART I

Changing Water Into WineBecoming the Person God Created You To Be

PARISH OF ST. LAURENCESTAFF RETREATJULY 5 , 2014

Changing Water Into Wine

PARISH OF ST. LAURENCESTAFF RETREATJULY 5 , 2015

Members of the Parish Staff ...• Are called to holiness. • Are characterized by a love for God.• Live a life of faith, hope and love.• Manifests Christ by daily piety and life.• Possess an apostolic spirit and missionary zeal.• Love their brothers and sisters. • Are willing to give generous service.• Engage in personal prayer.• Participate in parish life.• Have a devotion to the Eucharist and Mary

Members of the Parish Staff need...

• Level 1:▫To grow as a person of faith.▫Development of their a spiritual life.▫Development of professional skill set.

• Level 2:▫To model church teaching. ▫To be effective at facilitating parish change.▫To be effective at facilitating parish growth.▫To integrate essential theological ideas into parish

mission (Scripture, Creed & Morality).

Faith in ActionMary as the Model

Faith Applied in Action:

•Discern for yourself what the Lord is telling you during your retreat this year.

•Discuss this three times with at least one person over the course of the next year.

Faith Applied in Action:

•There are 18 Marian celebrations and feast days…

•Celebrate just one of these days that honor Mary this year.

Faith Applied in Action:

•Commit to saying the Rosary (or Divine Chaplet) daily during October, the month dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.

Faith Applied in Action:

•Mary is mentioned close to 50 times in the New Testament. …

•Over the next year, chose and read just one Marian story or passage. Sit with and pray with this passage for one week from one Saturday to the next.

Mary as the Model

What you might experience:When you do this:

• Joy

• Trepidation

• Trust

• Confusion

• Wonder

• Treasuring Memories▫ “Pondering”

• Meditation▫ “Reflecting”

• Tasting ▫ The fruits

END OF PRESENTATION

Changing Water Into WineBecoming the Person God Created You To Be

PARISH OF ST. LAURENCESTAFF RETREAT

JULY 5 , 2014