ACTS POP & IHM Ministry
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What is ACTS?
ACTS is an acronym for Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service; and it is these four themes that are the focus of the activities of the weekend.
ACTS is inspired by the Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47: “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Everyday they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals in exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
History of ACTS
ACTS retreats have enriched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people; men and women, teens and retirees, rich and poor, Catholic and non-Catholic, in the United States as well as other countries. It has reinvigorated the spiritual lives of individuals, of families, of entire parishes. Yet, 25 years ago, it did not even exist. The way this wonderful program came to be is a beautiful blend of the Holy Spirit and those who listen to His words.
No history of ACTS would be complete without the help of, and some familiarity with, the Cursillo retreat. Cursillo began in Spain in the years between WWI and WWII, in response to what many in the church saw as the increasing secularization of many Catholics in Spain at the time. It was intended to be a short course (the Spanish for short course is "cursillo") on the Catholic faith, and soon became widely popular for its profound effect on people's spirituality. By the mid 1980's, it had spread to many places in the world, including Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Selma, Texas, a suburb of San Antonio. It was here that three men who were heavily involved in Cursillo planned the first ACTS retreat.
Today, ACTS is in at least 22 states in the U.S., 8 states in Mexico, as well as Canada, Honduras, South Africa and England. Interest is growing literally around the world.
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What is An ACTS Retreat?
An ACTS Retreat is a 3-day, 3-night, parish-based retreat that offers parishioners the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus Christ in a deep, profound way. ACTS Retreats are given by parishioners for fellow parishioners which serves to build Christian community within the parish.
The ACTS Retreat experience is rooted in the Paschal Mystery in that retreatants are invited to reflect on the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The retreat begins on a Thursday evening and ends on Sunday morning following Mass. The purpose of this weekend is to invite retreatants into a new or deeper relationship with the Lord and with other faithful women and men through Adoration and daily prayer; Community, awareness of one’s identity as a member of the Body of Christ; Theology, encouraging more study of our faith and God's Word; and promoting the virtue of Service to our Lord and one another..
People have credited ACTS with saving their lives, saving their marriages, convincing them to be ordained as priests or deacons, or leading them to the religious life, simply by opening their eyes and their hearts to God's word. Pastors have praised its positive effects on their parishes, leading to highly invigorated parish life. Bishops and other church leaders have called it the most important movement in the Catholic Church today; all this from a handful of faith-filled people with the courage and perseverance to be led by the Holy Spirit.
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For More Information on Making Your First Retreat
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Women's
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Men's
ACTS Men's Spring Retreat 2023
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Register for a Retreat
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