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Busy World Retreat


 
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What is a Busy World Retreat?
How Does It Work?
Who Can Participate?
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Introducing the

Busy World Retreat

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Our First Retreat

The Busy World
Advent Retreat

Starts Sunday, Nov. 30  •  Ends Monday, Dec. 8

Retreat Theme:
“Living in Hope”
Advent Meditations by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Opening Session
(Pick up material and directions)
Sunday, Nov. 30, 1:00-2:00-pm
Church Hall/St. Edward Parish

Closing Sessions
(Small group discussions)
Monday, Dec. 8
(Participants will be notified of the time and location
for their small group discussion)

Daily Reflections Online
Share your reflections to the day's reading by emailing them to:
DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us

Read daily reflections from other retreat participants at:
www.waterloocatholics.org/advent.htm

•   •  

About Henri Nouwen -- Henri J.M. Nouwen was an internationally recognized Catholic priest, author, professor and pastor who wrote over 40 books on the spiritual life.  He was born in Holland in 1932 and moved to the United States in 1964.  He studied at the Menninger Clinic and taught at the University of Notre Dame and the Divinity Schools at Harvard and Yale.  In 1986, he took up permanent residence at L’Arche Daybreak, a residence for handicapped persons, near Toronto, Canada.  He died unexpected ten years later.  Nouwen’s books have sold over two million copies and are now published in over 22 languages.  Among his most popular books are Here and Now—Living in the Spirit, The Wounded Healer—Ministry in Contemporary Society, Life of the Beloved—Spiritual Living in a Secular World, and Reaching Out—Three Movements of the Spiritual Life.

About "Living in Hope" -- The selections from Nouwen's works chosen for Living in Hope were compiled and edited by James E. Adams and published by Creative Communications for the Parish.  "Why Nouwen's reflections would be well-received in Advent is obvious," Adams explains.  "What frequently emerge from him are soul-searching expressions of longing for God -- an apt theme indeed for the weeks when we renew our hope in Christ and strive to deepen our appreciation of the redemption of Christ in reconciling us to God."

Choosing to Live in Hope

“To wait with openness and trust is an enormously radical attitude toward life. 
It is choosing to hope that something is happening for us that is far beyond our own imaginings. 
It is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life. 
It is living with the conviction that God molds us in love, holds us in tenderness, and moves us away from the sources of our fear.
--Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home--
Pathways to Life and the Spirit
(2001).

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What is a Busy World Retreat?

A Busy World Retreat is designed for adults and young adults who are too busy to participate in a traditional weekend or weeklong retreat outside the home. It is a seven day retreat experience which takes place in the midst of everyday life.

During a Busy World Retreat, the individual's time for prayer and quiet reflection takes place in their home, work, or another environment of their choosing, at whatever time of day is convenient for them.

How Does a Busy World Retreat Work?

At the beginning of the retreat, participants gather in a large group with a retreat guide to receive materials and instructions for the retreat.  

During the next seven days, participants reflect privately each day on a scripture passage or spiritual reading and on the reflection questions assigned by the retreat guide. Participants are encouraged to write down the insights, concerns or questions which come to them during this reflection time or at other times during the day.  There is an opportunity for participants who wish to share their daily thoughts and insights online at the Busy World Retreat Forum.

At the conclusion of the retreat, participants gather in small groups of four or five with a retreat guide to share the insights and reflections which have come to them over the past week.  If necessary or helpful, participants may arrange to meet privately with the retreat guide following the final group discussion.

Who Can Participate in a Busy World Retreat?

Adults and young adults of any age are welcome to participate in a Busy World Retreat.  This is an opportunity for any one who wishes to spend some time reflecting on God's presence and goodness in their lives.  You do not need to be actively participating in a faith community, and you do not need to be familiar with the format or techniques of spiritual reflection in order to grow from a Busy World Retreat.  What you need is a desire to do this, and the commitment to spend 20 to 30 minutes each day in quiet reflection in an environment of your choice.

•   •   •

For more information contact:
Director of Adult Faith Formation
320 Mulberry St. - Waterloo IA 50703
Phone: 319-234-9912
Email: DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us

Posted 10.04.08    Last Update: 11.26.08

ADULT FORMATION PRINCIPLES
The Catholic parishes in Waterloo are committed to providing life-long faith formation and spiritual growth for adults of all ages. We value individual life experience, respect the diversity of personal convictions, and welcome the wisdom of every participant. We encourage conversation and dialogue. We will never intentionally embarrass or offend participants.

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