• If the pastor experiences the first retreat as a participant, it will make a strong statement of involvement and commitment.
• For all subsequent retreats (held at the parish), the pastor is asked to: give some welcoming remarks at the beginning of the retreat, give one of the talks (preferably “Our Enemies and their Effects,” and consider taking on some other smaller tasks (such as leading adoration times).  He is also needed to celebrate the Mass and administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation (along with however many other priests needed).  The Sunday Mass may take place in one of two ways:
  • Option A (preferred) - The retreatants can attend a special mass at the end of the retreat on Sunday where the focus of the homily will be the Holy Eucharist.
  • Option B - The retreatants can attend a regular Parish Mass that fits into the schedule for the retreat. During that mass, the retreatants and retreat team should sit together.  The Pastor should announce the presence of the retreatants at this Mass and request prayers for them.
• It would be very helpful if the pastor would make a pitch for the upcoming retreat during announcement time at one or more Sunday Masses several weeks before the retreat and also personally invite 10 or 15 people who seem to be ready for the retreat.
• The final decision about the lay leaders that will serve on the retreat as Evangelizers and Shepherds should be approved by the pastor to ensure orthodoxy and avoid factions.
• The Retreat Coordinator, Grow and Persevere Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator should feel free to come to the pastor for advice, when necessary.
• For parishes with several priests who want to be involved, the various tasks may be divided among them.

How many Retreats per year should be held?
We recommend one or two retreats per year.

What is an Information Day and why is it important to have one before taking on the Process?

• Two Light of the World Evangelization Ministries come to a parish and hold a 3-hour session. 
  
  • The presenters: (1) share some of their testimony, (2) provide information regarding the Process, and (3) answer questions
  • The attendees are are given times during the presentation to break into small groups and discuss the material presented and consider its relevency to to the parish.
• An Information Day is a critical step to help parish leaders, staff and parishioners better understand; (1) the importance of evangelization as the essential mission of the Church, (2) the need for clergy and the laity to work together in evangelizing, and (3) how the LOTW Process works.
• An Information day allows members of the parish to discern together whether LOTW is right for them.  For this (or any other evangelization process) to be effective, it is imperative that both the pastor and his parishioners be united.
• An Information Day builds excitement in taking on the LOTW Process.

What are some of the particular advantages of the Light of the World Process for a Parish?

• This Process meets the Church's call for a New Evangelization through a living encounter with Jesus Christ.
• It is parish-based.  Parishioners grow in their faith together; they grow to know and love each other more; and they take on the task of evangelizing others together.  Also, unlike some retreats, the retreatants return home to their families each night (except, perhaps, the leadership retreat if held at a retreat house).
• It is not merely a retreat, but a comprehensive Evangelization Process.
• The leadership comes from parishioners whose faith has come alive.  These new “leaders” evangelize others.
• The format is user-friendly and cost-effective.
• After the retreat many people desire to get more involved in parish ministries. As their hearts are touched, they seek to serve God and give to Him more of their time, talent and treasure.
• This Process promotes long-term discipleship following the retreat through Small Faith Communities and ongoing opportunities for faith formation, outreach and service to others.

How much will this program cost my Parish?

• There will be a cost for the transportation and housing for the representatives of Light of the World Evangelization Ministries (“LOTWEM”).  Two representatives will present the Information Day.  At least four LOTWEM representatives are necessary for the Leadership Retreat team (this depends on the size of the retreat).  Two LOTWEM representatives facilitate the next parish retreat.  One representative facilitates the following parish retreat.  (Many parishes have parishioners open up their homes to the team for housing if the retreat is not held at a retreat house.)
• There will be lodging and meal costs for retreats held in a retreat house.
• The cost for food for the weekend will be determined by the people on your Retreat Team (depending on what is offered).
• The cost for necessary materials is less than $200
• We suggest that you collect a free-will offering at your retreats for a parish retreat fund. We also request  the parish and retreatants to consider supporting the ongoing work of LOTWEM through tithing and/or donations.  Remember that parish and parishioner donations are necessary for LOTWEM to continue its work.

What type of space is needed to put on this retreat?

• You will need one large meeting area – “Retreat Room.” (The size of a retreat is 15 people minimum, 40 optimum, and 60 maximum, plus a team of 10-20).
• You will also need breakout areas for the small group discussions - one area for each small group of 5-7 people.
• You will need an area to serve meals.

Who will do all of the work that is required in a process like this?

• The parishioners who have already been evangelized become the lay leaders of this Process.  It is good to have a parish "LOTW Core Team" that will oversee this process with the pastor. The Core Team is made up of a Retreat Coordinator, Grow and Persevere Coordinator and an Outreach Coordinator.
• When the Retreats are scheduled, the pastor approves the Evangelizers and Shepherds that will be asked to serve. The Main Evangelizer serves as the head of the Retreat Team, organizing the administration, presentation and training for the retreat. The Main Evangelizer (with the pastor's approval) also determines other roles (e.g. Service Coordinator, and Hospitality Coordinator). These positions will change for every retreat.
• As each part of the Process is added (i.e. Come and See Events, Adult Formation, Parish Outreach etc.), a leader for that aspect is selected from those who have already made the retreat and are willing to serve in that area.