Description: This 1/2-day retreat will help young adults identify moments of holiness in their everyday lives and help them be more in tune with their spirituality during the busy Advent and Christmas seasons.
Get Ready
- Prep Time: Six weeks for planning the retreat and for publicity. Allow one hour for set-up on the day of the retreat.
- Volunteers needed: One facilitator and one person to assist with gathering supplies and getting the space ready for the retreat. You will also need several small group leaders (this number will depend on the size of your group — plan for one leader per four-five participants). Small group leaders can be participants themselves, but should be recruited prior to the retreat.
- Supplies: Nametags and markers; copies of handouts (see Help section below); 8 ½ by 11-inch pieces of cardstock, scissors, glue, strips of paper, and pens; refreshments (drinks, snacks, or a full meal); CD player, or computer and speakers, to play music and CDs of contemplative music (religious or secular); 40-50 recycled magazines (religious or secular — be sure they have lots of images); images of mandalas from books, magazines, or the Internet to display around the room; inexpensive gifts to hand out during the “Forgiveness Session” (e.g., prayer cards, note cards, magnets or other trinkets with a spiritual theme); journals (buy some from the dollar store or ask young adults to bring their own).
- Reserve the Space: Find a space that is casual and welcoming. You might have a space at your parish that will work — a room at the parish center, a parish lounge or gathering space. Or you might want to reserve space at a local retreat center.
- Ideal Group Size: 15-30 people.
- Who is this for? Young adults with busy schedules (read: everyone).
- Cost: This retreat is relatively inexpensive. To help off-set costs you might ask young adults to bring a brown bag meal or snacks for the day or even arrange for a potluck breakfast/lunch or dinner (depending on the timing of your retreat).
- When is a good time for this? This retreat can be held on a weekend morning or even a weekday evening. You should allow about four hours for the entire retreat (including the meal). Poll young adults in advance to see what time works best for them.
- Publicize the Program: Once you have set a date for the retreat, spread the word through Mass announcements, e-mail, parish bulletins, flyers, and social media. Announce the details of the retreat several weeks in advance so young adults can add the date to their calendars. Ask young adults to sign-up, so that you know how many people to expect and plan for. You might also post flyers about the retreat in local coffee shops, the library, community center, or local campus ministry office. A contemplative program like this has broad appeal to people who might not already be a part of your parish community.
Prayer for Planning Team: Thank you God, creator of all that is good, for the opportunity to talk about the holy moments of life with young adults. Help all of us continue to be aware of your presence and holiness in the “everyday” of life. Amen.
Community Building: This program brings together busy young adults for a time of fellowship, sharing a meal, prayer, and quiet. Through informal conversation and formal discussion, young adults will get to know one another better and deepen their own faith by hearing others’ experiences of holiness.
