It is the Mission of WWCCR to renew the face of the earth by nurturing and inspiring Catholics: to experience a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through baptism in the Holy Spirit; to fan into flame the gifts we receive through the Sacraments; and to develop a deeper life of prayer and worship. We do this especially through baptism in the Holy Spirit!
The “Life with the Holy Spirit Retreat” that we offer is designed to take place on a Saturday. The retreat consists of a series of teachings, personal testimonies, small group discussion, and prayer. Each session builds upon the preceding session.
The format we use has been developed by The Word of God Community in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and endorsed by the Most Reverend Sam G. Jacobs, Bishop Emeritus of Houma-Thibodeau.
The retreat covers such topics as:
- God’s Love
- Salvation
- New Life
- Receiving God’s Gift
- Praying for Baptism in the Holy Spirit
- Growth
The teachings and personal testimonies are structured to work together and to build up a personal relationship with God and strengthen one’s experience of Catholic community.
SESSION ONE
“God’s Love” is based on 1 John 4:8. Using a DVD presentation by Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, it helps to set the climate for the entire retreat, that God is love and that everyone attending is loveable and loved by God.
SESSION TWO:
“Salvation” will focus on the importance of Christ and the gift of salvation. The basic Gospel message and the daily choice between good and evil are discussed.
SESSION THREE:
“New Life” shares the promise of new life with and through Christ. The Baptism of Jesus is our example.
SESSION FOUR:
“Receiving God’s Gift” focuses on the Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Spirit. References to Ephesians, Acts, Romans, Galatians, and Corinthians fill this session.
SESSION FIVE:
“Praying for baptism in the Holy Spirit” is the highpoint of the retreat. Retreatants will have the opportunity to receive individual prayer for baptism in the Holy Spirit and an outpouring of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. (The NSC made a policy of using lower case “b” for baptism in the Spirit to avoid confusion with the Sacrament of Baptism.)
SESSION SIX:
“Growth” ends the retreat with tools to help the retreatant continue on with the personal walk with Jesus guided by the Holy Spirit.
Personal testimonies are shared by team members at different points in the retreat. This helps to build the bond among all those attending by realizing that their experiences have a common ground with others.
Community is emphasized throughout the retreat. Retreatants bring a sack lunch and eat together as a community (restrictions as appropriate).
Small group time fosters the sense of community. Each session has allotted time for small group discussion, facilitated by a member of the presenting team. This is a confidential time of faith sharing, some simple discussion questions, and a time of clarification for the session just presented.
Personal testimonies are shared by team members at different points in the retreat. This helps to build the bond among all those attending by realizing that their experiences have a common ground with others.
Now, back to that other question… What is the benefit of having a Holy Spirit Retreat at my parish?
Each Holy Spirit Retreat has a goal of offering evangelization to the members of the parish. The time spent on the retreat will have the benefit helping each person on their personal journey and relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit. Those attending will experience the power of the Holy Spirit working within them. Retreatants often experience an opening of the Scriptures in a new and dynamic way. The retreatant will be better equipped to use the Gifts bestowed on them at their Sacramental Baptism.
“Participants in the Charismatic Renewal are in love with the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. They not only speak of Jesus as someone who lived over two thousand years ago, they speak of Jesus as someone who is alive today—because He is! They affirm that the same charisms, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which empowered the early Church, are still available to every believer.”
– Pope Francis
Address of Pope Francis to the Charismatic
Renewal Conference in Rome, Pentecost 2014