BY DR. JEFF ANDRINI, OFFICE OF EVANGELIZATION AND DISCIPLESHIP

Many parishes around the diocese have hosted the Encounter Love/Encounter Jesus event over the past two years and the evaluations have been extremely positive. However, the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship is far short of its goal to offer this event in every parish of the Diocese of Owensboro, and we want more people to experience this opportunity. Are you looking for a shot in the arm for your spiritual life? Would you like to grow as a disciple of Jesus? Join us!

Who: Open to all adults in any parish of the diocese.

What: A retreat based on the Kerygma, which is the proclamation of the Gospel message, along with time for reflection and an experience of God’s loving presence.

Where: Held at the McRaith Catholic Center, 600 Locust St., Owensboro, KY.

When: Saturday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Includes coffee, muffins and lunch.

Why: In 2017, Bishop William F. Medley founded the Office of Evangelization, and all diocesan and parish leadership went through the USCCB’s document titled, “Living as Missionary Disciples.”  Over four years we spent one year on each of the following themes: Encounter, Accompany, Community, and Send. The Encounter Love/Encounter Jesus retreat highlights a special prayer service that people find incredibly moving, healing and hopeful. In addition, we discuss these four important pillars that are key for personal and parish renewal focused on the mission of Jesus.

Busy on Nov. 16, but interested in attending? Talk to your pastor and/or your parish staff and ask if they would be willing to host this in your parish. It could be done on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, or we could come one weeknight for two weeks in a row. Better yet, ask your pastor and parish staff if they would support you if you offered the event at the parish. (Fill out the form at this link and we can work out the details this fall, winter or spring to host at your parish: https://owensborodiocese.org/encounter-love-encounter-jesus.)

God wants to encounter each of us daily in our walk with the Lord. Our Catholic faith is so much more than an intellectual experience. We do need to know our faith, but just like priests and lay ecclesial ministry leaders, all the laity need to be formed in four essential areas: Human, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Pastoral. This retreat is an invitation to experience God’s love and grow in each of these important dimensions of adult faith formation. Join us and invite a friend as well. Register by using the QR code with this article, and we hope to see you on Nov.16 or at your parish sometime soon.

Please pray for all those who have attended this retreat and for those who will on Nov. 16 – thank you! Need more information? Email me at [email protected].

Peace,

Jeff  

Scan this QR code to register for the Encounter Love/Encounter Jesus retreat.

Dr. Jeff Andrini is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship.

Originally printed in the November 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.