Commonly Asked Pastor Questions
What will I have to do?
The Pastor knows the importance of evangelizing and he is the one that passes on the vision of evangelization as the mission of the Church to the parishioners who will bring this process to life.
• If the pastor experiences the first retreat as a participant, it gives the strongest message of involvement and commitment. It is of great benefit.
• After that, giving some welcoming remarks at the beginning of the retreats that follow and doing a talk, if possible, are good ways to stay involved.
• The pastor gives retreat invitations from the pulpit during announcement time.
• For each retreat. it is good to target 10 or 15 people who seem to be ready for the retreat and invite them with personal phone calls.
• The retreat team also needs your help in organizing the plan for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for participants and how they will attend Sunday Liturgy.
• Past retreatants also come to sing the closing song for this Mass as a sign of support.
• If your parish decides to have Eucharistic Adoration as a part of your retreat you will need to assign a EOM to attend the Blessed Sacrament for setting up and reposing or you may do it yourself.
• The final decision about the lay leaders that will serve in this process as Evangelizers and Shepherds is made by the pastor to avoid factions.
• The Retreat Coordinator and Parish Core Team will come to you for questions and advice.
• For parishes with several priests who want to be involved, there are additional ways to do so.
This is a Kerygmatic Retreat Process (A proclamation of the basic Gospel). What is the Kerygma within the Light of the World Process based upon?
The Kerygma that is proclaimed on the retreat is the same one used in the Early Church as found in the Apostles Creed and Early Church proclamation. Each talk fleshes out one central truth from this proclamation that has remained with us since the Early Church. Attached you will find the retreat outline of the titles of the talks which show the ideas within the retreat as they develop.
How many Retreats a year should we have?
We recommend a retreat in the Fall and in the Spring unless your church is too small to accommodate them that frequently.
What is an Information Day and why is it important to have one as we begin the process?
This is a critical step to take to help parish leaders, staff and parishioners understand the importance of Evangelization as the mission of the Church and the compelling call from our Popes for each of us to be involved. It also builds excitement and enthusiasm for all of the powerful things that the Lord has in store for the parish. The laity and the pastor must be on board with this process for it to work.
What are some of the particular advantages of the Light of the World process for a Parish?
• This process is oriented to fulfill the Church's call to bring about the New Evangelization in the heart of every believer---a living encounter with Jesus Christ.
• For people familiar with Cursillo, Tech, and Christ Renews His Parish, this will be a next, deeper step.
• It is parish based; parishioners come to know and love each other in their own parish and can sleep at home each night (After the 1st retreat for the pastor and 12 leaders which is held at a retreat house).
• It is a comprehensive Continuum of Faith so it helps in all parts of the faith journey of parishioners.
• The leadership comes from fellow parishioners whose faith has come alive and these same people are the ones who evangelize others on the retreats.
• The format is user-friendly and cost-friendly.
• After the retreat many people see the need to get involved in their parish's ministries. As their hearts are touched, they seek to serve God and make a contribution of time, talent and treasure.
• This process takes seriously long term discipleship following the retreat with Small Faith Communities, and ongoing opportunities for faith formation, outreach and service to others who need to know the love of God.
How much will this program cost my Parish?
• There will be a cost for the transportation and housing for the representatives of Light of the World Evangelization Ministries. Two representatives will present the information day. At least four representatives are necessary for the retreat team (this depends on size of the retreat). Two representatives facilitate the first parish retreat. One representative facilitates the second parish retreat. (Most parishes have parishioners open up their homes to the team for housing if the retreat is not held at a retreat house .)
• There will be set lodging and meal costs for retreats held in a retreat house.
• The cost for food for the weekend's hospitality will be determined by the people on your Retreat Team in deciding what will be offered.
• The cost for necessary materials ranges between $350 and $500.
• We suggest that you collect a free will offering at your retreats for a parish retreat fund for your future retreats. We also ask the parish and retreatants to consider supporting the ongoing work of Light of the World Evangelization Ministries through tithing and/or donations.
What type of space is needed to put on this retreat?
• You will need one large meeting area which can hold up to 75 people. (The size of the retreat is 20 people minimum, 40 optimum and 60 maximum, plus a team of 10-20).
• You will also need breakout areas for the small group discussions-one area per small group of 5-7 people.
• You will need an area to serve hospitality.
Who will do all of the work that is required in a process like this?
• The parishioners who have already been Evangelized become the lay leaders of this process. It is good to have a Parish Core Team that can oversee this process with the Pastor. The Parish Core Team is made up of a Retreat Coordinator, Grow and Persevere Coordinator and an Outreach Coordinator. These three coordinators can serve as a liaison to the Pastor.
• When the Retreats are scheduled the Pastor gives the final OK to the possible Evangelizers and Shepherds that will be asked to serve. The Main Evangelizer serves as the head of the Retreat Team, organizing the administration, presentation and training for the retreat. The Main Evangelizer (with the Pastor's approval) also names a Chapel Coordinator, Service Coordinator, and Hospitality Coordinator. These positions will change for every retreat.
• As each part of the process is added, (i.e. The Come and See Events, Adult Formation, Parish Outreach) a leader for that aspect is selected from the group of people who have already made the retreats and are willing to serve in that area.
Remember, this work of evangelization is supported by the
grace of God the Father, the salvific work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
No one is asked to do any of this alone.
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