Embracing the life of the Church
 

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