WHAT IS AN ACTS RETREAT?
An ACTS retreat is a three-day/three-night Catholic lay retreat presented by parishioners from throughout the Diocese of Lubbock. The weekend retreat begins on Thursday evening and ends the following Sunday at a Mass celebrated with the ACTS community. Retreats are given separately for men and women and areheld at Mercy Retreat Center in Slaton. 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 facilitates the attainment of a new or deeper relationship with the 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 and his people
Each retreat is conducted by a retreat "team" composed of 20-30 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 participants during the retreat weekend.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN ACTS RETREAT?
An ACTS retreat is designed to help participants enter into a new or deeper relationship with Christ and fellow laypersons. This is accomplished through Adoration and daily prayer, the call to Community as a member of the Body of Christ and Theology by encouraging the study of scripture and our Catholic Faith—all of which emphasize and encourage the virtue of Service to our Lord, our parishes and one another.
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF AN ACTS RETREAT?
An ACTS retreat strives to achieve the directives of Vatican II and the goals of the Revised Code of Canon Law of 1983 which emphasize "community and pastoral care" within our parishes. The weekend allows retreat participants to experience God's love and joy. They return to their parishes with a deeper love for each other and a desire to become more involved in their parish faith communities.
WHY PARTICIPATE IN AN ACTS RETREAT?
The weekend is a powerful and enduring personal conversion experience. Talks, which draw from the personal experiences of team members and activities conducted during the weekend, give participants a better understanding of the significance and importance of prayer, liturgy, the sacraments, scripture, community and service. Participants are also given guidance to help them in their faith journeys. It is a powerful personal, spiritual and community building experience.