St.

Andrew Retreat Directing Process

1. Meditate and pray This retreat is ultimately Gods retreat. Pray that you, and those serving on the retreat, may be His instruments in carrying out His plans. Take time to meditate and listen to what God may be telling you.

2. Choose the retreat team Usually those who serve on the retreat team are people who have completed the necessary training sessions/workshops and have chosen to serve as Confirmation Teachers Aides.

3. Develop a retreat meeting schedule Contact those who will be leading the retreat to determine a consistent schedule of meeting times. Create a list of things that will be discussed/planned for each meeting.

4. Inform parents Planning for the retreat can take precious time away from the leaders time with their family, time for academic studies, and time for extracurricular activities. Write a letter to parents informing them of the retreat meeting schedule and provide them with your contact information so that they can call/email you if they have questions or concerns.

5. Bonding Bonding is important for developing a close-knit and cohesive team. Facilitating bonding activities during the early stages of the planning process allows the team to work and communicate more effectively with one another.

6. Student Questionnaire Give a questionnaire to the Confirmation students asking about things they are interested in learning, discussing, or questions that they have about their faith. This questionnaire can inform the retreat team about activities and discussions to take place on the retreat.

7. Choose the etreat song and theme At one of the first planning meetings, read over the Gospel for the retreat weekend. Ask the leaders to go home and look for an OCP song on either ocp.org or spiritandsong.org that relates to the Gospel. At the next meeting, they will bring their song choices and listen to each of the songs as a group. They will vote with their eyes closed so that it is based on a fair decisionmaking process. Following the selection of the song, they will also brainstorm a theme for the retreat.

8. Committees There are three planning committees: Activities, Prayer/Meditation, and Music/Praise and Worship. See the attached list of committee duties, which should be given to all of the leaders. They can pick among themselves as to which committee they would like to be a part of. During each planning meeting, committees will be given time to meet with one another and plan for their responsibilities.

9. Agenda Create a basic outline of a retreat agenda based on previous retreats and new ideas from the team.

10.

Come up with Talk Topics

Usually the DRE will provide talk topics for the weekend or will give an option of having the team brainstorm talk topics.

11.

Assign Talks After the talk topics have been established, give the retreat team time to think and pray over which talk they would like to give. Leaders can give individual talks or a co-talk with another person.

12.

Outlines Provide a designated date for the leaders to turn in outlines for their talks. This should be an organized, bullet-point list of the main ideas they will convey. It should also include an activity they want to facilitate that relates to their talk topic. Encourage the speakers to include the retreat team in their talks.

13.

Posters The team will be in charge of making posters: - Theme Poster - RHINTS Poster - Lyrics Poster - Gifts of the Holy Spirit (2nd Year Retreat Only)

14.

Retreat Team Intro Video Film a fun video that introduces the retreat team in a unique way.

15.

Team Skit (Optional, depending on planning time) Have the team come up with a skit that reflects the retreat theme to be performed at the retreat.

16.

Rehearsing talks: Pluses & Deltas Leaders will rehearse their talks in front of the rest of the team. Talks should be 10-15 minutes at most to keep the candidates attention spans. Each team member should write down a list of Pluses & Deltas as the speakers rehearse their talks. Following each talk, they will discuss the Pluses & Deltas with the person practicing.

17.

Finalized Agenda Create a finalized agenda that includes times, activities, leaders in charge, and supplies needed.

18.

Retreat Run-throughs Have retreat run-through days during which each committee practices the various events that will be taking place during the retreat (for example, praise and worship songs will be practiced, activities will be practiced, and reflections will be practiced).

19.

Back-up Plans Have each committee and speaker come up with back-up plans in case of rain, extra/limited time, or varying circumstances.

20.

Supplies Have each committee/ speaker turn in a list of supplies that they will be using.

21.

Other Director Responsibilities Crosses (Usually for 2nd year retreat only)

o The first year Confirmation students get some type of souvenir such as a bracelet, CD, or rosary. Make sure to order crosses or souvenirs in advance. Nametags Booklets Creating Homegroups Retreat Team Shirts (optional) Find chaperones (age 21 and up) to serve on the retreat

22.

Team Reflection On the day before the retreat, the team will have a reflection during which they prepare themselves by letting go of their burdens, coming closer to Christ, and reflecting on their bond as a team.

During the Retreat 1. Keep time. 2. Make sure everything runs smoothly. 3. Make sure everyone gets enough sleep!

3. Prayer before talks The team prays over the speaker(s), the director reads from Jeremiah 1:4-9, and everyone sings Spirit of the Living God.

4. Have all supplies ready.

After the Retreat:

1. EvaluationsGive the students an evaluation sheet to assess the positive aspects of the retreat and suggestions for improvement in the future.

Things to remind the retreat leaders: 1. There is a time to be serious and a time to be funny. 2. They are here to serve the Confirmation candidates. Find ways to go above and beyond serving the candidates such as speaking to them one-on-one during free time, offering to refill their drinks, getting supplies for them, etc. Avoid cliquing with the retreat team. 3. They have the ability to change lives by serving on this retreat. 4. God has called them to serve and they have answered that call. 5. They should be role models both inside and outside of church in their actions and speech. 6. Follow-up with their home groups after the retreat.