Awaken | Light of the World

How does it work?

Awaken is run in your parish by your parish. You schedule the 12 sessions, then invite participants to attend once a week in-person or remotely.

Online portal

Subscribe for unlimited access to all program and session materials through a convenient online portal, which you have access to 24/7.

Agenda

You don’t have to plan each session from scratch because every session comes with a fully developed agenda. In general, each session includes video catechesis, personal testimony, and small group discussion.

Video catechesis

Beautiful and engaging videos featuring a different priest each session guide participants through every step of the kerygma towards a personal encounter with Jesus. All videos are available through the online portal.

Personal testimony

For each session, you’ll recruit someone from your parish to give a personal testimony on that session’s topic. We provide a simple outline to guide them. Don’t have anyone in your parish who can do this yet? No problem! We’ll provide optional videos with personal testimonies from people all around the country.

Small groups

It’s not enough to simply watch videos or listen to talks. Small group discussion gives people the opportunity to process what they’re experiencing during Awaken. Most sessions include time for small group discussion, and we’ve prepared the discussion guides for you in advance.

Leader's guides

This takes all the guesswork out of running Awaken in your parish. Every session contains a Leader’s Guide, which includes guidance for running each session, and helpful lists to make sure you don’t forget anything.

Sessions

Awaken is broken into 12 sessions, ideally run over a period of about 12 weeks. Each session is approximately 1 ½ hours long. They are designed to draw participants through the kerygma in a systematic and powerful way.

Session 1

Welcome

Session 2

God's Love

Session 3

The Problem of Sin

Session 4

Jesus

Session 5

Saying No to Sin

Session 6

Saying Yes to Jesus

Session 7

Lordship

Session 8

The Holy Spirit

Session 9

Living in the Spirit

Session 10

Evangelization

Session 11

The Eucharist

Session 12

What Next?

Features

Catholic

The content is deeply Catholic. It draws people to Christ and simultaneously to His Church. It does so through the catechesis videos given by our priests and the integration of the sacraments throughout the program.

"None" friendly

It’s a great tool for reaching out to the “nones” that Bishop Barron often talks about. Videos are down-to-earth and engaging, making the mysteries of Faith accessible to anyone who’s looking for something more. Sessions are steeped in truth, goodness, and beauty, appealing to people of all ages and walks of life.

Flexible

You can gather people in-person in groups of any size or run it remotely using your favorite video conferencing platform. You can hold one session a week, multiple sessions a week at different days and times, or even multiple sessions at the same day and time. Duplicate and repeat as often as you want. It can be implemented any time of the year, at any time of day.

Easy to implement

We give you most of what you need to successfully run Awaken at your parish through a convenient online portal, which you can access at any time, 24/7. You can run the program yourself, or you can delegate and add other facilitators. Plus, you’ll receive unlimited email and phone support, along with a live weekly Q&A webinar.

Multiple applications

Because it’s so flexible and easy to implement, there are a myriad of applications at your parish. You can run Awaken as a standalone program, as part of the RCIA process, family formation, virtual retreat, morning senior groups, young adult ministry, with staff and faculty members, and more. Wherever you want to proclaim the gospel.

Post-Awaken small groups

After spending 12 or more weeks together, participants have already formed small groups, and the people in those groups have developed meaningful bonds with each other. Light of the World provides a general framework and resources to help your people continue meeting in those groups after Awaken has ended.

Testimonies

Awaken is perfect evangelization for those who already have heard of Christ, or those who have merely been catechized but have not a living relationship with Jesus. We have been using it for RCIA and both those in the program and who are facilitating are receiving so much from it!

Fr. Sean Grismer

Beautiful and blessed experience... Thank you to all who made this [Awaken] retreat happen. Well done!

Anna A.

The Awaken Series has helped to awaken my faith. A time to wake up to the reality of the life that I have been called to live in Christ more. I believe I have experienced Christ's love more through this program with all of the priest's videos, testimonies and through our small group discussions.

Nancy D.

Pricing

Your parish's annual subscription includes...

Comprehensive materials: agendas, videos, small group questions, leader's guides, and more.

Unlimited access to all resources via the online portal. Any day, any time, as many times as you want.

Unlimited number of participants and no additional cost for participants.

Immediate access to new videos, features, and updates.

Graphics, posters, and more to help you promote your parish's Awaken.

Helpful support via email, phone call, and even texting.

$500 / year

Get Started

Frequently asked questions

Can we run it remotely?

Yes! The program can be adapted to allow your participants to stream the videos in their homes. Then you set up video conferencing to facilitate small group discussion. We provide a detailed guide to help you adapt the program accordingly.

What are the technology requirements?

To play the videos, you'll need a WiFi-enabled device (ideally a laptop) with which you login to the online portal. Then you'll have to connect that device to a large screen (like a TV or projector), so you'll need the appropriate cords. If your parish subscribes, you'll also have the opportunity to purchase a 2-disc DVD set containing all the catechesis videos.

Can we run multiple sessions at the same time?

Yes! You can access the online portal with multiple devices at the same time. You can even stream the same video in more than one location simultaneously. Duplicate and repeat as often as you'd like.

Who runs it?

You need a facilitator and a small group leader for each group (if there is only one small group this can be the same person). It can be run by a parish staff member, or you can hand it off to one or more volunteer facilitators. Personal witness speakers (which will be different each time) will be needed for several of the sessions. You’ll also need your Pastor there for at least a couple sessions, and priests will be needed for confessions and Mass.

What size group do we need?

Almost any size works. Really! If you only have five or six people, then they form a single small group and they go through the program together. If you have a larger group, they can all watch the video(s) together, listen to the testimony, then break into small groups for discussion.

Can we use it as part of another ministry or program?

Yes! Because Awaken is so flexible, you can adapt it to fit your parish's current ministries and programs. For example, you can implement it as part of your RCIA program.

When can we run it?

Anytime! You can run it during any season, at any time of the year. You just have to make sure that you can reserve meeting space for consecutive weeks. You can run Awaken at any time of the day. Just make sure you have about 90 minutes to make it happen.

Where do we run it?

Awaken is designed to be run in your parish. You can run in small groups or as one larger group with small group breakouts. It can even be adapted to run with people in their own homes using video conferencing platforms.

How long are the sessions?

Each session is about 90 minutes.

How many users can we have in the online portal?

As many as you want! There's no limit to the number of accounts or users you have in the online portal. Even better, there's no additional cost for adding users.

What is Awaken?