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ACTS is a Catholic retreat movement that started in the
archdiocese of San Antonio in 1987 and came to Houston in 2001.
ACTS Retreats are parish based and conducted by lay Catholics
from the sponsoring parish. Currently, there are a number of
parishes in our archdiocese that have a well established or an
emerging ACTS retreat program. Each ACTS retreat is a
spiritually unique retreat that will enrich the faith life of
each retreatant and build the community dimensions of your
parish. ACTS can be brought to a new parish when an established
ACTS parish brings it via a mission retreat to that new parish.
The ACTS acronym represents Adoration,
Community, Theology and Service, all related to our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
ACTS retreats are for men, women or
teens. Men’s and women’s retreats are not co-ed. Retreats begin
on a Thursday evening. The retreatants are transported to local
retreat center until they return to the parish for the late
Sunday morning Return Mass. ACTS retreats have some similarities
to Cursillo retreats but are lay sponsored and parish-based
rather than diocesan-based. Each ACTS retreat has a unique
scriptural theme.
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Houston Chapter ACTS Missions:
Robert Kehoe, Director
Email:
robertkehoe@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 281-300-2276
Parish Contacts
St. Clare of Assisi (Houston – Clear Lake
Area):
James Korenek
(W) 281-604-3414
(H) 281-326-5120
St John the Baptist, Alvin (Far SW
Houston)
David Lopez
Phone: 281-388-1838
St Paul Catholic Church (Houston – Clear
Lake Area)
Ed Bercier
(281) 326-4200
Pastoral Contacts
Rev. Msgr. Dan Scheel, S.T.L.
St Jerome Catholic Community
Phone 713-516-2032
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What is an ACTS Retreat?
An ACTS retreat is a three day and three night Catholic lay
retreat presented by fellow parishioners. The retreat begins on
Thursday evening and ends the following Sunday at a Mass
celebrated with the parish community. Retreats for men, women
and teens are given separately. Talks and activities during the
retreat focus on Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service,
from which the ACTS acronym is derived. Holy Scripture and the
teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are the guides for the
retreats. The retreat takes on the traditions and atmosphere of
the parish community sponsoring it. The retreat itself
facilitates the attainment of a new or deeper relationship with
our Lord through: Adoration - the call by, acceptance of, and
response to God Community - the love and caring of each other
Theology - the study of God through scripture and the Catholic
Faith Service - to God, his people and the parish faith
community. Each retreat is conducted by a retreat "team"
composed of ~ 36 individuals who have attended prior ACTS
retreats. Chosen by the retreat Director, the team organizes the
retreat, conducts the retreat talks and activities, and
ministers to the needs of the retreatants during the retreat
weekend.
What is the purpose of
an ACTS retreat?
An ACTS weekend is designed to help the retreatants enter
into a new or deeper relationship with our Lord and our fellow
parishioners. This is accomplished through fellowship and daily
prayer, the call to community in one's parish as a member of the
Body of Christ, and theology in encouraging the study of
scripture and our Catholic Faith. All of these actions encourage
the virtue of service to our Lord, our parish, and one another.
What is the goal of an
ACTS retreat?
A parish ACTS retreat strives to achieve the directives of
Vatican II and goals of the Revised Code of Canon Law of 1983
which emphasize "community and pastoral care" within a parish.
The weekend allows the retreatants to experience God's love and
joy. They return to their parish with a deeper love for each
other and a desire to become more involved in their parish faith
community.
Why attend an ACTS
retreat?
The weekend can be a powerful and enduring personal
conversion experience. Talks, which draw from the personal
experiences of team members, focus on Adoration, the need for
prayer and meditation on the word of God; Community, the
importance of community built on faith and love; Theology, the
need to read and understand scripture and our Catholic Faith;
and Service, the need to answer Christ's call to service.
Activities conducted during the weekend give retreatants a
better understanding of the significance and importance of
prayer, liturgy, the sacraments, scripture, community, and
service.
It is a powerful
community building experience for a parish. The ACTS weekend
brings the retreatants to a better understanding of God's love
for them, and also develops their need to share that love with
others through their involvement in a faith-centered parish
community.
The retreat emphasizes
our call to serve our parish community and the greater world
community. Frequently the retreatant experiences a new or
renewed dedication to the life of the parish community and a new
recognition of the needs of those around us and of our
obligation, as followers of Christ, to help meet those needs.
Who can attend an ACTS
retreat?
ACTS retreats are open to all Christians. While ACTS is a
Catholic retreat, it is open to other Christians who are open to
learning about the Roman Catholic faith.
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Director Training Workshop
This workshop is only available in San Antonio but should be
available in Houston in mid 2007. This workshop is open only to
ACTS Community members who have attended an ACTS retreat. Child
care will be provided. Lunch is $5. For more information, call
(409) 866-5088 for reservations and dates.
Retreat Mentor Training
The Houston Chapter is now providing this 4 hour training
for past Directors and past Co-Directors, past CoreTeam members,
current CoreTeam members, and those CoreTeam invitees who may be
mentoring in the next 2 years and who have teamed at least
twice. 2007 training dates are; March 3, June 2 and Nov 3.
Location is TBD. Call 281-300-2276 to reserve your place.
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