RETREAT TEAMS
The
Retreat Teams consist of 10 - 12 people. They travel the country going
from diocese to diocese, church to church, school to school leading
approximately six retreats a week. The team members challenge young
people to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church. They first do
this by their Christian witness of faith through prayer, sacraments,
fellowship and service. The retreats consist of different parts that break open the Gospel message in large group presentations, small group discussions, dramas, contemporary christian music, mass and reconciliation, and most importantly, prayer time. The team members pray with the each young person, asking for their intentions and prayers to be answered, and inviting them to pray and deepen their relationship with Christ. Through this time, the youth often experience conversions through the actions of the Holy Spirit.
Through
the training that each team member has received, the retreats are led
in a dynamic way, giving the young people an opportunity to hear about
the message of the Gospel in their own language. In this way, they are
comfortable with the team's challenge to live a life of the Gospel in
tough times. But most important of all, they are given a chance to
encounter the living Christ in a tangible way.
NET retreats range in length from four hours to several days. Using a variety of themes, team members conduct retreats for hundreds of youth. Though the format and theme of the retreats may vary, the basic message is always the same: “In Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, who died and rose from the dead, salvation is offered to all, as a gift of God’s grace and mercy.” (Evangelization in the Modern World, Pope Paul VI).
The retreats, typically for youth in grades 7-12, are high-energy experiences using large group presentations, small group discussion, music, drama, personal faith sharings, one-on-one prayer, and the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. Since 1981, NET teams have conducted over 16,500 retreats and ministered to over one million young people in 11 countries.
RETREAT MODELS
*Please note that these models are only examples and may change.Daylight Retreat
| 8:30 am 9:15 am 10:00 am 10:30 am 11:15 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:15 pm 2:30 pm |
Sign in and Opening Session Introduction and Small Group Main Presentation Small Group Large Group Game Skits and Songs Lunch Prayer Ministry and Mass Retreatant Sharing and Closing Retreat Ends |
Twilight Retreat
| 5:00 pm 5:45 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:15 pm 8:45 pm 9:45 pm 10:00 pm |
Sign in and Opening Session Introduction and Small Group Dinner Main Presentation Small Group Skits and Songs Prayer Ministry and Mass Retreatant Sharing and Closing Retreat Ends |
Full Day Retreat
| 9:00 am 10:00 am 10:30 am 11:00 am 11:45 am 12:00 pm 12:45 pm 1:15 pm 1:45 pm 2:30 pm 3:15 pm 3:30 pm 5:30 pm 6:15 pm 6:45 pm 7:00 pm 8:00 pm 8:45 pm 9:00 pm |
Sign in and Opening Session Small Group Main Presentation Small Group Skits Lunch Large Group Game Second Presentation Small Group Skits Snacks Men’s/Women’s Sessions Dinner Break (free time) Reconciliation Preparation Prayer Ministry and Reconciliation Mass Retreatant Sharing and Closing Retreat Ends |

Retreat Feedback
"A few weeks before the retreat my dad had left and my family was really upset. I was mad at him and never wanted to see him again. NET helped me to ask God for the strength I would need to forgive him. They really helped me realize what it means to be close to God. It’s not just following the 10 commandments. It’s more than that. It’s becoming friends with God and getting to know Him."
-13 yr. old Retreatant, Ontario
"I wanted to tell you that I have never had a group of students so impressed until now. Your retreat 'wowed' them. All the teaching staff that were there were extremely impressed with the entire run of the day, from the organization, activities, prayer time, Mass, etc. They were clearly impressed with the team and they really communicated well at the kids' level. I am sure it is something they will remember forever."
- Teacher, Ontario

