An ACTS retreat weekend is a 3-day Catholic lay retreat presented by women and men of faith from our community. ACTS retreats are held in a special, peaceful and quiet environment. An ACTS weekend is a chance to relax and focus on your faith journey. Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church are the guide for the movement. Spiritual direction will be available.
The weekend begins Thursday evening and ends with Mass at St. Jerome Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Mass is followed by a reception for retreatants, their families and members of the ACTS community in the Flanagan Administrative Center. Transportation is provided between the retreat center and St. Jerome.
Message of ACTS
ACTS is an acronym for Adoration, Community, Theology and Service. It is these four themes that are the focus of the weekend’s activities. ACTS is inspired by the ACTS of the Apostles 2:42-47:
“They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Purpose
The purpose of the ACTS weekend is to Invite the retreatants into a new or deeper relationship with the Lord and with other faithful women, men or teens through Adoration and daily prayer; Community awareness as a member of the Body of Christ; Theology encouraging more study of our faith and God’s word; and promoting the virtue of Service to our Lord and one another.
Goal
An ACTS retreat strives to achieve the directives of Vatican II and the goals of the Revised Code of Canon Law of 1983, placing emphasis on “Community and Pastoral Care” within a parish; that the participants experience God’s love and joy throughout the weekend, and return to the parish with a deeper love for each other and a desire to become more involved in the parish faith community. Though this is a Catholic faith-based retreat, all denominations are welcome!
Cost
The cost is $195 which includes the non-refundable $70 registration fee. The balance is due upon arrival Thursday evening at St. Jerome before departure. This will cover all meals, lodging and transportation between the retreat center and St. Jerome.