140 likes | 261 Vues
Evening of Pentecost. Facilitated Discussion Christ Renews His Parish – Regional Support Team. Feb 2014. Opening Comments. Initial EOP at Holy Trinity was abbrev. version of Called & Gifted program Holy Trinity CC created subcommittee for EOP
E N D
Evening of Pentecost Facilitated Discussion Christ Renews His Parish – Regional Support Team Feb 2014
Opening Comments • Initial EOP at Holy Trinity was abbrev. version of Called & Gifted program • Holy Trinity CC created subcommittee for EOP • Format is combination of what’s in the manual and excerpts from Paul Scheuerman’s notes • Facilitated EOP three times, received positive feedback • EOP structure is broken into 2 nights – 1st night mirrors a typical formation meeting and 2nd night is a “going forth” ceremony • No perfect solution to keep people on the retreat “high” – this brings formation to a closure and equips them with tools to continue to live their life more fully in Christ
Preparation • Make sure you work with the CC or parish office in advance to reserve a place to have both nights of Pentecost • Reach out to CSD & LD at least 2 weeks in advance – most likely just one of them will take the “lead” for Pentecost • Share the script with the CSD/LD so they know what is expected of them (one of them will facilitate most of the 2nd night) on both nights & to remind their team about it • Find someone to do a short 5-10 min. witness talk on the first night (could also be someone who shadows you as facilitator) • Need to schedule a deacon or priest for 2nd night to bring Host for adoration plus give 5 min. reflection talk on ACT 1:6-11 & 2:1-4 (Pentecost) • Show up early and arrange chairs • Print out copies of the handouts, song sheets, etc.
1st Night – Brief comment on the Evening of Pentecost purpose (5-7 min): • I’m Jesse! One good example of what happens after Pentecost is me here as facilitator • When I went through CRHP, I kept wondering “What’s Next?” “It only gets better” • So, what’s the next objective? (I add personal reflection of where I was at Pentecost – on fire with the Holy Spirit of course!) • If you think back to the night of Discernment, the decisions for our roles for putting on the retreat were primarily made by the Holy Spirit • That’s how we need to decide where we go from here (what gifts, or charisms does God want to bring out of you and share with others?)(Emphasize this – without prayer & discernment, you will resort back to anxiety over the major decisions in your daily life) • Need to keep in mind that you may not necessarily feel a strong and immediate call to partake in a particular ministry (Need patience)
1st Night – Bible Enthronement & Scripture reflection (25 min): • Bible Enthronement by team members • Pass out song sheets & Sing “Come, Holy Ghost” (sing w/ or w/o music CD) • Opening prayer – Led by the CSD (or LD) • Team members will break into groups no larger than 6 at tables for discussion (or stay in group circle – depends on how many people attend; use for 15+?) • Scripture Reading – Matthew 7:24-29 with group discussion questions from Handout #1 (watch time to determine # of responses – can go long w/ 1 big group discussion)
1st Night – 2nd Scripture reflection (15 min): • Scripture Reading – Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 (parable of the sowing of the seed) • “What type of soil are you in right now? Are you happy with this or do you want/need to change?” • Other group discussion questions from Handout #2 (watch time again to determine # of responses – should be 45-50 min. into it) • Next is 5-min. break (usually becomes 10-15 min. as everyone gets chatty)
1st Night – Intro to Call To Holiness & Witness Talk (15 min): • How is “Christ Renews His Parish” aimed at renewing our parish life? Have to match the parish growth opportunities to each of our own personal call to holiness • But what we give and what we take on has to be realistic, cannot be a burden • Witness will give testimony on how Christ Renews has changed their life (how have they grown, how have they struggled – good to hear both sides so encourage him/her to be honest)
1st Night – Call to Holiness Table Analogy Presentation by Facilitator (20 min): • Our life is like a table with four legs and the table has to sit on a solid foundation/floor which is Christ. • These four legs are prayer, scripture/study, community and service. • All of them are necessary (must be balanced). • While the table may stand for a time without one of them, ultimately it will fall.
1st Night – Building My Life on Christ (Community/Service): Continue to meet monthly w/ current or existing CRHP team (need accountability!)
1st Night – Closing Comments (5 min): • Announce next meeting night and time • Hand out Personal Reflection Sheet to be filled out and pondered during weeks between Pentecost gatherings. • Also, ask them to bring their Personal Commitment sheet to the next meeting (memorized if they don’t have it?) • Hand out Discerning a Call to Service sheet and Service Opportunities within CRHP sheet. • Closing Prayer (by CSD or LD) • Bible Dethronement & Sing “Come, Holy Ghost” • Total time of 1st night is about 1hr. 45 min.
2nd Night – Introduction (15-25 min): • Recognize that some may come the 1st night and not the 2nd night and vice versa (not a big deal) • Arrange chairs in large group semi-circle with table on the side for the Host, 2 kneelers & 2 candles • CSD (or LD) talks about this being the conclusion of the CRHP formation process. • Now the challenge is how to live this experience in daily life at home, at work, in the parish, in the community. • This is done by our personal commitment to follow through on the four legs of spirituality and perhaps continuing to meet as a team on a monthly basis • CSD (or LD) gives Scripture Reflection (ex. Luke 10:1-9, John 8:12, Matthew 5:13-15, Matthew 11:25-30, John 16:12-15) • This part has been done differently each time by the CSD/LD – most of them give a natural “send-off” type of talk
2nd Night – Procession of Blessed Sacrament (30-45 min): • Procession of Blessed Sacrament by Deacon or Priest with candle bearers while singing “Come, Holy Ghost” • Quick opening prayer – led by CSD (or LD) • Scripture reading & 5 min. reflection – ACT 1:6-11 & 2:1-4 by Deacon/Priest • Team approaches Blessed Sacrament 2 x 2, and kneel before Sacrament and quiet reading of their personal commitment before the Lord (I suggest taking 1 minute each and I usually do this along with them). • Stand up and conclude with the “Our Father” • Priest/Deacon give final prayer of commissioning and blessing, and sending forth (laying on of the hands w/ quiet prayer). • “Holy God We Praise Thy Name” is sung as Blessed Sacrament is processed out of room by Deacon/Priest and candle bearers (everyone else stays in the meeting room) • Total time of 2nd night is about 1hr. 15 min.
Conclusion • Any Questions? • Please let me know who wants all of the Pentecost-related documents sent to them via e-mail • My e-mail: jllucksmith@yahoo.com