How Does It Work?

Welcome is an overnight weekend experience for your parishioners. Through fellowship, faith sharing, hospitality, music, individual and group activities, Mass, and more, participants have the opportunity to step back from the everyday to reflect on their lives and their spiritual journeys and build meaningful relationships with other men or women in the parish. (Men and women attend separate weekends.)

Spring Retreat
Men's Retreat February, 8th & 9th
Women's Retreat April, 4th & 5th
 

What is Welcome
Welcome is a spiritual renewal weekend designed to help individuals grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ and with others in their faith community. It is an excellent opportunity for Catholics to renew their understanding of the basic beliefs and traditions of their faith.
Welcome is a process designed to bring members of a parish together in Christ. Just as all of our other commitments need renewal, so does our commitment to Christ if we are to be faithful followers. Welcome is an effective spiritual renewal that call together members of the parish to experience personal conversion and Christian unity within the Saint Catherine community.
No matter where you are spiritually, you will be touched by this incredible retreat.

What is A Welcome Retreat?

• It is a time to relax, pray, and rethink priorities.
• It is a time to get to know others in the parish and grow as a parish community.
• It is an opportunity to examine, rediscover, and /or intensify your personal relationship with Christ.
• It is a weekend of reflection and sharing of spiritual and real-life issues.

What a Welcome Retreat is not.

• It is not a silent retreat, yet there are periods of quiet reflection and prayer.
• It is not a parish organization or clique.
• It is not a solitary retreat; your participation makes the retreat a spiritual one for you and the other participants
• It is not a public confession

What happens during the weekend?
Come prepared to have fun and renew your heart.
This is an opportunity to slow down, to reconnect with God, and to evaluate your direction in life, and to choose a spiritual path that strengthens your inner peace in all aspects of life. We will enjoy each other’s fellowship, explore how the Gospel impacts our lives, and pray for grace. During the weekend you will listen to a number of individuals who have volunteered to give a personal witness to the power of Jesus Christ in their lives. Group discussions and responses follow each presentation. There will be readings of scripture, time for prayer, and time set aside for personal reflection. Sacraments are an integral part of the weekend. There will be an opportunity to go to confession and the weekend will include Mass. All experiences shared on the weekend are confidential unless otherwise expressed by the participants.

Who may participate?
All are welcome. The program is designed to help strengthen the Saint Catherine’s community, therefore, every adult member of Saint Catherine’s is invited and encouraged to attend a weekend.
Welcome is for anyone seeking spiritual renewal. Many attend because they feel something is missing from their lives or to deepen their faith and others to get better acquainted with others in the parish. All participants will be welcomed and receive unconditional acceptance. 

What time does Welcome begin?
The Weekend will be held at Saint Catherine’s. The weekend usually begins Saturday Morning at 7:30am and usually ends Sunday afternoon at approximately 4pm. Participants will receive confirmation with this pertinent information just prior to their weekend experience.

Were do I sleep and what should I bring?
Prior to your retreat weekend we will provide a check list of necessary items to bring. We recommend you bring pillows, sheets and blankets or an air mattress, so you are comfortable. You will need one bag with fresh clothes, toiletries items and a towel. There are no showers available.

What about Meals?
You will be pampered with great meals throughout the weekend. There will be many breaks throughout the weekend for snacks and drinks provided.

How much does it cost?
There is no cost for the Weekend – it is our gift to you from the parish.

So, What about YOU?
If you have read this far you must be at least a little interested.

Previous attendees and team members have attested Welcome is powerful stuff. It’s a lot of fun and a great opportunity to form meaningful and lasting relationships.