Kerygma Retreat opens hearts, deepens faith

By Mary Seamans
Multimedia Coordinator
The Catholic Accent

GREENSBURG – In his recent pastoral letter “Donum Veritatis: The Gift of Truth,” Bishop Larry J. Kulick emphasizes his commitment to forming missionary disciples in the Diocese of Greensburg.

He writes, “we will offer discipleship retreats on a regular basis for all people of the Diocese to have this intimate encounter with Jesus, experiencing the proclamation of the Gospel in a clear and powerful way and renewing their participation in the sacraments.” (53)

The Kerygma Retreat is the implementation of the Bishop’s plan to offer these opportunities to the faithful. While this retreat is new to the Diocese, its content is the Good News of Jesus Christ. In fact, “kerygma” is the Greek word for “proclamation” and refers to the Good News that our heavenly Father loves us so much that he sent His son, Jesus, to die and rise again to save us, and that Christ is with us always.

the first Kerygma Discipleship Retreat was held May 17-19 in the Diocese of Greensburg. Many of the more than 50 participants described it as an amazing experience:

The Kerygma Discipleship Retreat is the perfect way to encounter and deepen our relationship with Christ in our often hectic lives, according to Vincent Reilly, Managing Director of the Office of Faith, Family and Discipleship.
“This retreat is designed so that all family members in a household can participate at the same time. The retreat is appropriate for everyone age 16 and up, no matter how actively they are practicing their faith or their life experience. It encourages participants to move from ’knowing about Jesus’ to ‘knowing Jesus’ and ‘going to Church’ to ‘being Church’,” Reilly said.

Kate Parkinson, a Kerygma Discipleship Retreat leader, said the program is rooted in the Good News of Christ.
“The Kerygma Retreat is immersed in Sacred Scripture and the life of the early Church with time for small group discussions and prayer, the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation adoration, the celebration of Mass and fellowship,” she said.

Those who participated in the first Kerygma Discipleship retreat felt its experiential impact.

“I loved it. It was really deep, really enriching, really powerful, and I would encourage anyone, wherever you are in your faith life, to come and do this. It will take you even further than you can imagine,” said Vaughn Thomas, a parishioner of St. Barbara Parish, Harrison City.

“I just had a beautiful experience with the Holy Spirit and having my relationship with the Lord grow deeper and more personal. And also, in the Eucharist and in knowing my Catholic faith,” said Carolyn Cannizzaro, a parishioner of St. Anne Parish, Rostraver. “Every person, every Catholic, should experience the love of God on a Kerygma retreat.”

“The Kerygma retreat is the most transformative retreat that I’ve been on. I’ve been to NCYC, and I’ve been on mission trips, and this is something completely different,” said Thomas Kopasko, a parishioner of St. Barbara Parish. “We got to hear God’s word proclaimed, and I feel that I have been transformed. The speakers were amazing. I feel that I can go out into my community and make a difference in our Diocese. I encourage any youth to attend. It will deepen your faith. It’s been so, so beautiful, and a great experience.”

“The Kerygma Retreat is going to revitalize what community looks like in the universal Catholic Church. It’s going to improve how we pray, individually and as a group,” said Katelyn Waterhouse, a parishioner of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Indiana. “It empowers us with the Holy Spirit, so that when we go home, we can invigorate our domestic Church and our communities. For me, I had a beautiful table of strong women, and our 2½ days together built us up in faith, able to bring it out into the world,”

All are invited to experience and be transformed at the next Kerygma Discipleship Retreat Oct. 11-13 at Christ Our Shepherd Center, Greensburg. For more information or to register, click here.