Description: This mini-retreat gives young adults an opportunity to slow down and get into the spirit of the Advent season. It includes talks, small group discussion, prayer, and lunch.
Get Ready
- Prep Time: You should begin planning two months in advance. You will need to have at least two two-hour planning meetings to ensure that all the details are covered.
- Volunteers Needed: You will need approximately five people on your planning team. Ideally, your team should include a priest. Volunteers will give talks and facilitate small groups during the day of reflection.
- Supplies: If not included in the room, you will need a sound system for talks. (If you have a small group, this may be unnecessary.) For the talks, you may need a computer, projector, and speakers. You may wish to provide Bibles, rosaries, pens, journals, and prayer resources, such as directions for praying the Rosary. Make arrangements for lunch. If not provided, you may need to gather supplies for Mass.
- Reserve the Space: You will need a large room for the talks, space for small groups, and a church or chapel for Mass. You will also need a space for lunch.
- Ideal Group Size: 25-50
- Who is this for? All young adults can benefit from stepping out of the busyness of the season for a day.
- When is a good time for this? Weekend day, early in Advent
- Publicize the Program: Use social media invitations and an e-mail blast to get the details of this event directly to young adults. You can also utilize flyers, bulletin notices, and Mass announcements.
Prayer for Program Planner: God, help us to bring young adults into the beauty of the Advent season. With Mary as our guide, lead us into a deeper relationship with you and help us to give opportunities to young adults to do the same.
Community Building: The event would be a great way to bring different young adults together to get to know one another and share their faith journeys. There will be time to connect with different people during small group time as well as during lunch to balance personal reflection/ prayer time and also coming together as a community.
