Patrick Collins

"I have

come so

you may

have life

more

abundantly

..."

Parish Missions

Hermitage Nova Vita
Box 221
Douglas MI 49406
1-616-886-6042
email: collinspw AT yahoo.com

Let me outline some possibilities for a parish mission which you and your parish committee can consider.

The spiritual concerts of course could stand on their own as separate events.

Parish Missions: I suggest that a parish retreat committee be appointed. An existing group may also be used. After prayerful discernment of the current spiritual needs of the parish, you would suggest to me the area’s of interest for your parish’s spiritual growth and development. Then we can negotiate the formats for the retreat days. Missions usually begin with the weekend liturgies and close either Tuesday or Wednesday evening. There is usually a morning and and evening presentation during a liturgy -- either Eucharist or Morning/Evening Prayer or a Spiritual Concert. During the day I often meet with special groups such as senior citizens, teens, school classes, young couples, young mothers, etc.

Another alternative is to have a weekend Intensive Retreat from Friday evening through Sunday.

Workshops: I can present a liturgy workshop for all liturgical ministers including clergy. This usually occurs on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. This may also be done in a one--half day session but I prefer the full day. The material is drawn from my 1992 Paulist Press book Bodying Forth: Aesthetic Liturgy. Another workshop is a Parish Staff Day of Recollection on ministry issues. Issues are considered which the staff would like to explore in the context of spirituality.

Spiritual Concerts: I have prepared several spiritual concerts which combine texts and tunes in order to give feeling to the meaning of the words:

1) "The Meaning of Love" is based on M. Scott Peck’s The Road Less Traveled. I quote briefly from Peck’s text and then sing songs which reflect the feelings of Peck’s message. Music is drawn from the Broadway, sacred and operatic repertoires. This program explores the meaning of interpersonal intimacy which opens us into the intimacy of God’s loving us. A video is available for $27.

2) "Loving the World" is based on Parker Palmer’s book The Company of Strangers. A similar format to #1 is followed. This program leads us from intimate loving toward loving the public order -- the world in which we live and love. Several songs are sung by the audience as well as those sung by me.

3) "Thomas Merton: Man, Monk, Myth" uses Merton texts on four themes: a) spirituality as a journey from the false self to the True Self; b) contemplation; c) prayer; and d) the desert: solitude and silence. Merton’s words are interspersed with songs sung both by me and by the assembly. A video is available for $32. 4) "Care of the Soul" is based on the book of that title by Thomas Moore, using texts and tunes. 5) "The Passionate Life" is based on the book of that title by Sam Keen, usingg texts and tunes.

My usual stipend is $450 per day plus transportation, room and board. The success of the parish mission is very much dependent upon the parish staff’s planning, preparation, prayer and also upon the regular attendance at the mission events by ALL parish staff members -- especially the priests. Without their presence and participation, the retreat’s effectiveness seems lessened for all concerned.

Peace in the Lord,
Rev. Patrick W. Collins, Ph. D.