RENEW Pre-Advent Retreats Scheduled

Eucharist: Bread for the Journey, a special faith experience in anticipation of Advent, will be offered to all parishioners throughout the Diocese of Amarillo Friday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 10.

The pre-Advent Retreat will be offered in English and Spanish in all four deaneries of the diocese in conjunction with the Why Catholic?/¿Por qué ser católico? process of adult faith formation underway in many parishes in the diocese. Participants are currently focusing on key beliefs of the Catholic Church as expressed in the celebration of the Sacraments.

Dominican Sister Pat Thomas of RENEW International, will direct the retreats in English.
“We encourage everyone to attend one of these four retreats,” she said. “We encourage you to come and rest with Jesus for a wonderful prayerful experience focused on how the Body of Christ nourishes us for our life journey.”

Sister Pat encourages parishioners to take advantage of this prayerful experience, regardless of whether or not they participated in Why Catholic? so far.

“As we approach Advent, we are called to reflect on God coming to be present with us,” she said. “This retreat is the perfect opportunity to prepare ourselves for this holy season by making time and space for Jesus in our lives, especially in the Eucharist.”

Manuel Hernandez, another presenter and retreat leader from RENEW International, will direct the Spanish-language retreat sessions on the ¿Por qué ser católico? book on the Sacraments: Eucharist, community and service.

The pre-Advent Retreats Eucharist: Bread for the Journey, will be offered in English and Spanish on:

• Friday, Nov. 8 at 6:30pm for the Central Deanery at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington, Amarillo;

• Saturday, Nov. 9 at 9:00am for the North Deanery at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 1000 Maddox, Dumas;

• Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1:30pm for the East Deanery at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 810 West 23rd, Pampa; and,

• Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2:00pm for the South Deanery at Holy Family Church, 210 St. Joseph Street, Nazareth.

Participants will begin with Eucharistic songs and hymns followed by three different experiences or moments drawn from the gospels. The first moment is Eucharist: Miracle of Love, based in the Gospel of Mark 6:30-44 reading. The second moment is Eucharistic Spirituality, which is a guided meditation based in the Gospel of John 13:1-20. The third moment is Recognizing Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread inspired by the Emmaus travelers in Luke 24:13-35.

For more information about signing up for the retreats and for joining Why Catholic?/¿Por qué ser católico?, contact School Sister of Notre Dame Sister Janet M. Abbacchi, Coordinator of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Amarillo at 383-2243, ext. 113 or ext. 111.