FAQs

What is ACTS all about?

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.

What is an ACTS Retreat?

An ACTS retreat is a three day and three night weekend retreat presented by fellow ACTS Team members. The retreat begins on Thursday evening and ends on Sunday at a Mass celebrated with the parish community. Retreats for Men, Women, Couples, and Teens are given separately. Talks and activities during the retreat focus on Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service, from which the ACTS acronym is derived.  Each retreat is conducted by a retreat "team" composed 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 retreatants during the retreat weekend.

Who can attend an ACTS Retreat?

The retreats are open to any church denomination. 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. 

What is the purpose of the ACTS retreat?

An ACTS weekend is designed to help the retreatants enter into a new or deeper relationship with our Lord, God and fellow community members. This is accomplished through Adoration and daily prayer, encouraging the study of scripture and our Faith. All of which emphasize and encourage the virtue of Service to our Lord, our church, and one another.

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 faith journey.

What is the goal of the ACTS retreat?

An 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. The weekend allows the retreatants to experience God's love and joy.  They return to their parish or church with a deeper love for each other and a desire to become more involved in their parish or church faith community.

Why conduct an ACTS retreat?

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 Faith) and Service, (the need to answer Christ's call to servant hood). 

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 community.