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Best Practices: Prayer & Spirituality
Program Model: Encuentro Retreat
Submitted by: Bill Cork, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Overview of the program
An Encuentro (the retreat) is an evangelization experience in which each participant experiences a conversion process through the dynamic of a triple encounter: with himself/herself, with others and with God. The retreat itself is a weekend experience, but one forever becomes an Emproista (pro-Christ). The Emproista by his/her own option makes a comittment to take the good news to his/her environment, beginning with the young adult group at his/her parish or to form a young adult group if it does not exist.
How does the program work in your archdiocese?
Encuentros de Promocion Juvenil (EPJ) came to Houston 18 years ago. One of the impacts the movement has made in this diocese is the formation of the many young adult groups that now exist throughout the diocese. Many of the participants to the Encuentros are invited by the young men and women that have lived an Encuentro and want to share the life changing experience and know that by attending an Encuentro the young man or woman will commit more with the group.
Why does the program work?
The Encuentro works because it is a very dynamic and powerful retreat where one can experience a little bit of everything. The major reason of its effectiveness is that it is of, for and by young adults: they are who give presentations and a testimony of how their life changes after the Encuentro. EPJ fulfills the need that young adults have to have a personal encounter with God that arises many times from their desire to give direction to their lives. At the retreat they are given the option to freely accept God and are motivated to discover their vocation.
Who to contact for more information
Sonia Najarro at sonia_najarro@hotmail.com or Javier Lopez at javilopez@velaw.com.
Resources to help start this elsewhere
Any local chapter can take the movement to another city upon approval of the local Bishop.
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