THE BUSY-PERSON'S RETREAT
Directed Retreat on the College Campus

Goals:

1) to provide an opportunity for college students and staff to enhance their spiritual life through participation in a directed retreat on their school’s campus

2) to minister to the college campus ministry team and student volunteers

3) to provide the opportunity for campus ministers and vocation ministers to work together for a common purpose

Method:

Adapt the Busy-Persons Retreat used on various college campuses to meet the needs of the local college campus community and their campus ministry programs through a five day (Sunday evening - Thursday evening) retreat.

On a typical college campus the Busy-Persons Retreat would include:

• Daily half-hour direction session each day with a spiritual companion *
• Daily commitment to one half-hour of personal prayer and meditation each day of the retreat *
• Daily Eucharist **
• Evening Presentation / Group Prayer Time / Discussion **
• Opportunity for Sacrament of Reconciliation **

* Expected activities of all retreatants

** Additional activities available to retreatants

Responsibilities:

Vocation Office: Works with campus ministry personnel and retreat team in determining the specific needs for the retreat. Coordinates the recruitment of spiritual companions. Works with the retreat team to determine responsibilities for Eucharist and evening presentations. Arranges for extra priest confessors when needed.

Campus Ministry Personnel: Works with vocation office and retreat team to determine how the specific needs of the college community can best be met with the retreat. With the retreat team determines the presentation topics. Coordinates the publicity for the retreat on campus and makes personal contacts to students and staff encouraging participation.

Spiritual Companions: Meets individually with retreatants each day (about 5 - 7 students). Meet with other spiritual companions for prayer each day of the retreat. May preside at prayer or Eucharist or give one of the evening presentations as needed. Two spiritual companions serve on the retreat team.

Retreat Team: The core planning group for the retreat. Ideally would consist of a representative of the vocation office (the vocation director), the campus minister, two student representatives, and two of the spiritual companions. Determines the specific needs of the students for the retreat and the retreat’s plan to meet these needs. Sets the schedule for the retreat and special activities that might be a part of the retreat. Assists in planning prayer and Eucharistic celebrations. Meets as needed prior to the retreat to fulfill its responsibilities. Meets once after the retreat to assess the retreat’s effectiveness and make suggestions for future improvements.

Typical Schedule:

Sunday evening

• Mass
• General Meeting with Retreatants & Companions
• Social

Monday

• Mass
• Prayer - e.g.: Praying with Scripture, or Taize

Tuesday

• Mass
• Dinner with Companions with Conversation about God's Call

Wednesday

• Mass
• Reconciliation Service

Thursday

• Closing Eucharist with Shared Thanksgiving after Communion
• Social

Each college campus and student body are unique. The primary objective of the schedule is to meet the specific needs of the college community and their campus ministry program. The schedule and retreat personnel need to be flexible enough to adjust to these needs.

For more information on using the Busy-Persons Retreat on your campus, please contact Father Burke Masters, Diocese of Joliet Vocation Director, St. Charles Pastoral Center, 402 So. Independence Blvd., Romeoville, IL 60446; 815/834-4004.

|| Back to Vocation Directors' Page || Back to Vocations Online ||