Christ Renews His Parish is a renewal weekend, one each for all men and then all women, to which parishioners are invited to attend twice a year. It is an opportunity to encounter the wonders of God's love in a personal and meaningful way. It is a gift of time to pray, learn, laugh, love and see first-hand Christ working in His parish community. You can make lifelong friends, find a true sense of belonging, gain knowledge and grow in your personal relationship with Christ. You will be pampered and well-fed, both physically and spiritually.
CRHP is offered every six months here at Saint Mary Cathedral.
The program consists of three parts. The first is your participation with a team on a weekend. The second (optional) is your forming together with those men or women with whom you participated on your weekend to grow in the light of God and prepare a weekend for those to follow you. The third and last part is Shared Ministry. This is simply taking your renewed heart into your Christian community and sharing your love for God through service and example.
The CRHP organizing team gives the renewal weekend. This team, formed in prayer and love, invites you to attend this weekend program on our Cathedral campus. Men and women attend separate weekends.
This is not a silent retreat. The emphasis during the weekend is on small groups. The process is centered on talks and personal reflection. Dialogue is stimulated in a prayerful and loving atmosphere. There will be no pressure on you to talk or share. Sensitivity to you and your needs will always be respected. The renewal process doesn't come on like a tornado. It allows you to spend some personal time reflecting on your relationships with God, family and community.
Accommodations Accommodations for the weekend are simple but adequate. All participants are encouraged to sleep on site. You may bring a cot or mattress if desired. Meals are prepared for you. If you have special diet needs, let us know and we will help you. The entire weekend is informal. Casual and comfortable clothing is the "uniform of the day."
Can you afford the weekend? Absolutely. Yes! The program is FREE! Volunteers and contributions of most food items from Saint Mary Cathedral's Christian community help keep costs to a minimum.
Sacraments are part of the weekend -- Mass will be celebrated and Reconciliation is offered.