Why Go on an ACTS Retreat?

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 at Saint Luke, we travel together on buses to our Retreat Center, and ends the following Sunday at a Mass celebrated at Saint Luke. Retreats for men and retreats for women are given separately. Talks and activities during the retreat focus on Adoration, Community, Theology and Service, from which the ACTS program 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 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 of parishioners who have attended prior ACTS retreats. Chosen by the Father Jared for the first retreats, 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 the ACTS retreat for Saint Luke?
An ACTS weekend is designed to help the retreatants enter into a new or deeper relationship with our Lord and fellow members of our parish family. This is accomplished through Adoration and daily prayer, the call to Community within our parish family at Saint Luke and as a member of the Body of Christ, and Theology in encouraging the study of scripture and our Catholic Faith. All of these which emphasize and encourage the virtue of Service to our Lord, our parish and one another.

Why is Father Jared inviting you to attend 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 family. The weekend allows the retreatants to experience God’s love and joy - in a gorgeous place, surrounded by parishioners you may have never met, and beginning and ending with the blessing of being part of Saint Luke parish. We return to our parish with a deeper love for each other and a desire to become more involved in our parish life.

Why attend an ACTS retreat as a member of Saint Luke?
The weekend is 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 servanthood. Activities conducted during the weekend give retreatants a better understanding of the significance and importance of prayer, liturgy, the sacraments, scripture, community and service. Retreatants are also given guidance to help them in their own faith journey. It is a powerful community building experience. 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 family here at Saint Luke. It emphasizes our call to service, service to the parish community and to our world community. There results a new or renewed dedication to the life of our Saint Luke 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.

Scott Standiford

This retreat brings good men together to serve each other through their experiences to become great and glorify God in his works.
 

Chaz LeBlanc

Participating in an ACTS retreat provides individuals with a transformative experience that transcends beyond the boundaries of everyday life. It offers a sacred space to reflect, grow, and connect with others on a profound level, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself, one's faith, and the community.
 

Anonymous

[You should participate in this retreat] to feel more connected with the St Luke’s community, create brotherly or sisterly bonds that can never be broken and to grow closer to God. This retreat can impact you in many ways and I recommend it to everyone that is searching for answers and hoping to build a strong faith.
 

Shawn Paretti 

The retreat is amazing. Every detail is tended to by the retreat team. Put aside anxious thoughts and imaginings -- this is a rare opportunity to truly grow your faith with other men of your parish. Plus, the facilities and food are outstanding.
 

Randy Gonzales

It’s a great opportunity to really be able to discuss things close to you knowing that a close group of men are there to support you.

Dave Way

First they will enjoy it, and they can't help but understand, and get closer to God. ACTS is awesome. Oh did I remember to say how awesome ACTS is?