Part 1: Light the Fire through the LOTW Kerygmatic Retreat
LOTW Kerygmatic Retreat: The Light of the World Kerygmatic Retreat is the first step in renewing a parish. It is a proclamation of the gospel message of salvation and an invitation to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through a renewal of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the power of the Holy Spirit is invoked to enkindle a spirit of love, discipleship and apostleship in each retreatant.
Part 2: Grow the Fire through Grow and Persevere Programs
Small Faith Sharing Communities: Following the retreat, Small Faith Sharing Communities are formed to maintain and grow a deep relationship with the Lord and the Body of Christ, the Church. Retreatants are divided into small groups of 10-12 people who begin to meet weekly as a Small Faith Sharing Community. Together they will pray, share life experiences and challenges, support one another, study their faith, and serve others together.
Adult Formation: Adult Formation evenings are recommended to provide for the increased learning needs of people who have come alive in their faith. Although not everyone is able to enter into a community, many are still very interested in growing in their faith. These can be held anywhere from 4 to 12 times annually. A speaker is hosted in the evening for the whole parish on various topics of faith. A survey can be given to parishioners to identify topics of interest. A core team of past retreatants and other parishioners organize and host these evenings.
Rekindling the Flame Retreat: The Rekindling the Flame Retreat is a one day retreat offered once a year for all past retreatants. It should include a speaker or speakers presenting on various topics of faith and/or spirituality that promote a deeper intimacy with our Lord. These should be topics that touch the heart more than the head and lend themselves to sharing the faith journey with others. Opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation should be included. Ideally, this retreat should conclude with a celebration of the Mass. At the end of this event, people who are not in a community but would like to join one can be identified and placed in a community.
LOTW Reunion: A LOTW Reunion should be held at least once a year. All past retreatants and their guests/family members are invited to a fun gathering to let them reconnect with other Small Faith Communities and people from their retreat. Retreat Reunions help unify LOTW past retreatants and their family members. It is usually held on a weekend night with a light supper, and music or an inspirational speaker as the entertainment.
Both the Rekindling the Flame Retreat and the LOTW Reunion play an important role in unifying all LOTW retreatants whether or not they are able to participate in a Small Faith Community. It is important for everyone to know that once they’ve been a LOTW retreatant they are always a LOTW family member.
Part 3: Spread the Fire through Outreach Programs
Parish Visitation: Parish Visitation is a way to reach out to all parishioners and help them feel connected and listened to. The parish is divided into geographical areas on the parish map by the Parish Visitation Coordinator. One or more areas (depending on the population in the section) are selected for visitation each time. Parish Visitation visits take place in the fall and spring by teams of two people per home. Anyone can do the visiting, but the majority of visitors tend to be past retreatants because they have focused on the importance of evangelization as the mission of the Church. Each team of two is given the names of five parishioners/parish families to visit within a two week time period. They bring a small gift bag from the parish, which acts as a good icebreaker. They confirm the family’s information and ask how the parish can serve them better, as well as how the parish can pray for them. The visitation team gives all information back to the Parish Visitation Coordinator to be used in program planning and meeting needs. People who seem ready to grow in their faith are invited to make the next retreat. Other needs and questions that are identified and submitted to the Pastor and parish staff for follow-up.
“Come and See” Events: “Come and See” Events are held to develop interest in the retreat. A “Come and See” Event can be centered around a supper or coffee & dessert or can include going out to set groups within the parish and giving information and personal testimony and inviting members to the retreat. If a “Come and See” supper or coffee and dessert event are held, past retreatants are sent a letter asking them to pray about who the Lord would like them to invite to the event and to the retreat. The past retreatants are asked to accompany their guests to the event where they will hear a talk and also personal testimonies given by people who have made the retreat. The talk covers life’s first order of questions: What am I doing on earth? How can I find more meaning and purpose in my life? How does God figure into the satisfaction that I am seeking? etc. People who have attended the “Come and See” Event are sent an invitation to the upcoming retreat.
The Light of the World Process contains all three of these parts because they are necessary to continue to reach out to all people within the parish and meet their needs. If only the Kerygmatic Retreat is implemented, the sign-ups for the retreats will usually dry up within two to three years. Further, the Kerygmatic Retreat provides the initial “taste” of the wonderful banquet our Lord offers to each of us as His disciples and apostles.
Pastor Note: For this Process to “reap a bountiful harvest” it is imperative that you be actively involved in all of its facets as the laity carry it forward! | 
