Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Acts Retreat?
An ACTS retreat is a three day and three night Catholic lay retreat presented by fellow parishioners. The retreat begins on Thursday evening and ends the following Sunday at a Mass celebrated with the parish community. Retreats for men and women are given separately. Talks and activities during the retreat focus on Adoration, Community, Theology and Service, from which the ACTS acronym is derived. Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are the guides for the retreats. The retreat takes on the traditions and atmosphere of the parish community sponsoring it. The retreat facilitates the attainment of a new or deeper relationship with the Lord through:
Adoration
The call by, acceptance of, and response to God
Community
The love and caring of each other
Theology
The study of God through scripture and the Catholic Faith
Service
To God and His people
Each retreat is conducted by a retreat “team” comprised of 25 – 30 individuals who have attended prior ACTS retreats. Chosen by the retreat Director, the team organizes the retreat, conducts the retreat talks and activities and ministers to the needs of the retreatants during the retreat weekend.
What us the purpose of the ACTS retreat?
An ACTS weekend is designed to help the retreatants enter into a new or deeper relationship with our Lord and fellow parishioners. This is accomplished through Adoration and Daily prayer, the call to Community is one’s parish as a member of the Body of Christ and Theology in encouraging the study of scripture and our Catholic Faith. All of which emphasize and encourage the virtue of Service to our Lord, our parish and one another.
What is the goal of an ACTS retreat?
A parish ACTS retreat strives to achieve the directives of the Vatican II and goals of the Revised Code of Canon Law of 1983 which emphasize “community and pastoral care” within a parish. The weekend allows the retreatants to experience God’s love and joy. They return to their parish with a deeper love for each other and a desire to become more involved in their parish faith community.
Why attend an ACTS retreat?
The weekend is a powerful and enduring personal conversion experience. Faith Sharing talks, which draw from personal experiences of team members, focus on Adoration, the need for prayer and meditation on the work of God, Community, the importance of community built on faith and love, Theology, the need to read and understand the scripture and our Catholic Faith and Service, the need to answer Christ’s call to servanthood. Activities conducted during the weekend give retreatants a better understanding of the significance and importance of prayer, liturgy , the sacraments, scripture, community and service. Retreatants are also given guidance to help them in their faith journey. It is a powerful community building experience. The ACTS weekend brings the retreatants to a better understanding of God’s love for them, and also develops their need to share that love with others through their involvement in a faith-centered parish community. The retreat emphasizes our call to service, service of the parish community and to our world community. There results a new or renewed dedication to the life of the parish community and a new recognition of the needs of those around us and our obligation, as followers of Christ to help meet those needs.
Upcoming Events
Future ACTS retreats:
St. Ann – Teen: July 12-15, 2012
St. Elizabeth – Women: Oct 18-21, 2012
St. Stephen – Women: Nov 15-18, 2012
St. Ann – Men: Apr 18-21, 2013
St. Stephen – Men: Spring 2013
St. Elizabeth – Men: Spring 2013
St. Ann – Teen: Jul 18-21, 2013
St. Elizabeth – Teen: Summer 2013
St. Ann – Women: Oct 24-27, 2013
*Please contact the St.
Ann's Church office at 682-6303 or email ACTS at stannsacts@gmail.com if you have any questions.
The following ACTS members on CORE Team are listed below. Please contact any of us with questions or concerns.
Additional Information
Who can I speak with about their experiences with ACTS retreats?
The best way to get additional information on the ACTS retreat experience is simply to ask anyone who has attended one to share their experience. Feel free to contact any of the following people.
del Villar, Rene-
Social Coordinator
rene.delvillar@dhs.gov
Duffey, Terry-
Facilitator
terry.duffey@att.net
Duran, Norma-
Retreat Support
nduran@midland.edu
Patterson, Karen-
Music
KarenJPatterson@yahoo.com
Navarro, Ludi-
Co-Facilitator
Lnnavarro@suddenlink.net
Repman, Carla-
Communications
carepman@gmail.com
Sanchez, Ana-
Retreat Support
anitals71@yahoo.com
Troyer, Chris-
Financial
cdtroyer@gmail.com
Hymel, Francis-
Spiritual
fdhymel@suddenlink.net
Droll, Msgr Larry-
Parish Liaison
Ijdroll@aol.com
Pope, Alison-
Teen ACTS Coordinator
alisonpope@hotmail.com
We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. We hope to see you on the retreat!  Back to top
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