Who has been to CRHP?

[Hellisreal]

I met some people that talk about it and have seen it in the bulletin but, never really gave it much thought until now. There is a womens group and a mens group. I was talking to one of the priests about it recently, and instead of answering my questions he said to just do it. That is not going to work with me. I need to know what I am getting into before I do, and frankly I was upset by his flip reply to me. I shouldnt be, but its frustrating sometimes.

I would like clear points about it, good and bad, what goes on, what kind of spirituality is it? Good links to explain would also be nice, and if you are willing to share anything else, go for it.

What kind of backround or preparation would make it more fufilling an experience? Anything you would have done differently?

Is this run throughout the USA? Or all over the globe? Who started it and when?
What are the dangers if any? Is there any controversy about it? Is there pressure put on people to do this to do it year after year? Is there pressure to recruit others in it? What is really going on is basically what I want to know.

Tell me everything you know, and if you forget something, come back and add anything you forgot.

[Hellisreal]

Nobody?

In the spirituality forum has anything to say?

[mamacita]

Hi HellisReal!!

I have never been on CHRP. However, my best friend and her husband both have and now they are a part of the chrp team at their parish, they love it!!!


By the way, have you ever heard of ACTS? It is similar to CRHP, but also very very recommended....my 2 brothers, stepdad, and one of my sis in laws all have been on ACTS retreats this year and all have raved about how wonderful it was and how it changed their lives. People that give them are people that have been on the retreats themselves and they give testimonies of their faith journies, etc...

Go to http://www.actsmissions.org/retreats/ and read more about them. If you click on 'retreats' on the side it will give you the calendar of them. I didn't see any in IL but that's not to say you couldn't look into it more

[Hellisreal]

Hi Mamacita!

I never heard of acts! Thank you for the link.

Well, it is comforting to know your friend and her DH liked it. I am sure she would have told you if there was something really wrong going on in it.

Thank you

[theresa]

I have been on a CRHP weekend a couple of years ago. I think, like anything else, it all depends on the people who put on the retreat. I really enjoyed it, getting to know other people from my parish, and liked hearing the faith stories of those on the retreat team. Our parish priest is great and said Mass twice for us, and we also had Adoration. I did not have a big conversion experience like some do, mainly because that happened to me a few years ago! But it did build community and has continued to do that for our parish. That's always a good thing. BUT, there was a lot of pressure put on us to continue on the formation team and help put on the next retreat. I was one of only a couple of women who had to say "no" to that because of family obligations. The retreat team had members who did not want to take no for an answer, but I stuck to my guns and am glad I did. It would have been too much to add to my already overwhelming schedule, to try to attend weekly meetings. I think CRHP is worthwhile, especially if there is a good priest involved.

[leonie]

I think part of the retreat is surrendering to the process. Because of this, there is an element of wanting to keep the details of the retreat under wraps. I think it is felt that the format will have a greater impact if it is unexpected.

Basically, it is a retreat based on listening to directed (by a theme) testamonies. There are very profound and meditative prayer experiences built into the retreat. The witnesses are very moving. The retreat is very Holy Spirit filled. Much, much prayer and preparation goes into every aspect of it.

My experience was very gratifying. I received gifts of a deeper relationship with the third person of God, a greater appreciation of scripture when used as a prayer vehicle, an openess to spontaneous prayer. And, a more loving nature to others, esp in being open to sharing my faith.

The fact that the retreat formation goes on for six months after the retreat is often downplayed so as not to scare off participants. I had no idea when I went through the weekend that formation continued. IMO, the post weekend formation was the best part of the process.

I am very, very grateful for the Christ Renews His Parish program. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

[ermcma]

Originally Posted by leonie

I think part of the retreat is surrendering to the process. Because of this, there is an element of wanting to keep the details of the retreat under wraps. I think it is felt that the format will have a greater impact if it is unexpected.

Basically, it is a retreat based on listening to directed (by a theme) testamonies. There are very profound and meditative prayer experiences built into the retreat. The witnesses are very moving. The retreat is very Holy Spirit filled. Much, much prayer and preparation goes into every aspect of it.

My experience was very gratifying. I received gifts of a deeper relationship with the third person of God, a greater appreciation of scripture when used as a prayer vehicle, an openess to spontaneous prayer. And, a more loving nature to others, esp in being open to sharing my faith.

The fact that the retreat formation goes on for six months after the retreat is often downplayed so as not to scare off participants. I had no idea when I went through the weekend that formation continued. IMO, the post weekend formation was the best part of the process.

I am very, very grateful for the Christ Renews His Parish program. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

I had a similar experience a couple of years ago. I was resistant to it...didn't think I needed it. Basically, CRHP takes you where you are and elevates you. You can't go wrong giving 30 hours with God..Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Actually, I liked it so much I am helping a team give one who did not have enough women.
Pray about it. Be docile to the Spirit. You will know if you should go, but don't be afraid!

[sjegts]

I went on a CRHP weekend and then did another later as a Co-Spiritual Director. It was life changing for me. Success does have some bearing on the people involved, but if the process is followed as designed and prayerfully discerned, things work as they should.

Unfortunately, the answer your priest gave, in many ways is correct, in that you need to go with no expectations and itinerary in your head. You will experience prayer, singing, witnesses, Mass, fun, sisterhood and so much more.

I HIGHLY recommend it. The only thing you have to lose is two days, which I know can be a lot, but is so worth the risk you may feel you're taking. It requires being very open as you will be with people at all levels and degrees in their own faith journeys, but we all have much to learn from each other.

Do you have any more specific questions I can help with?

[Hellisreal]

Thank you theresa, I would not be able to go for 6 months long either it would not be possible. Well, looks like my gut instinct was right about some of these points after all! Interesting. Glad you told me about that.

Originally Posted by theresa

I have been on a CRHP weekend a couple of years ago. I think, like anything else, it all depends on the people who put on the retreat. I really enjoyed it, getting to know other people from my parish, and liked hearing the faith stories of those on the retreat team. Our parish priest is great and said Mass twice for us, and we also had Adoration. I did not have a big conversion experience like some do, mainly because that happened to me a few years ago! But it did build community and has continued to do that for our parish. That's always a good thing. BUT, there was a lot of pressure put on us to continue on the formation team and help put on the next retreat. I was one of only a couple of women who had to say "no" to that because of family obligations. The retreat team had members who did not want to take no for an answer, but I stuck to my guns and am glad I did. It would have been too much to add to my already overwhelming schedule, to try to attend weekly meetings. I think CRHP is worthwhile, especially if there is a good priest involved.

[sjegts]

Originally Posted by Hellisreal

I met some people that talk about it and have seen it in the bulletin but, never really gave it much thought until now. There is a womens group and a mens group. I was talking to one of the priests about it recently, and instead of answering my questions he said to just do it. That is not going to work with me. I need to know what I am getting into before I do, and frankly I was upset by his flip reply to me. I shouldnt be, but its frustrating sometimes.

I would like clear points about it, good and bad, what goes on, what kind of spirituality is it? Good links to explain would also be nice, and if you are willing to share anything else, go for it.

What kind of backround or preparation would make it more fufilling an experience? Anything you would have done differently?

Is this run throughout the USA? Or all over the globe? Who started it and when?
What are the dangers if any? Is there any controversy about it? Is there pressure put on people to do this to do it year after year? Is there pressure to recruit others in it? What is really going on is basically what I want to know.

Tell me everything you know, and if you forget something, come back and add anything you forgot.

Okay - I don't know if it's run all over the world or not. I am in Indiana and my sister in Missouri said it is at her parish now. I don't know the origin of it, but could research it in my literature. There is no pressure to do this yearly, as it is a 6 mo. process. Attend a weekend, be part of the formation team for 6 mos. meeting once a week, and then host the next weekend. There should never be pressure to recruit bodies. There should be, however, an openness to share the invitation to any and all you feel may benefit. You cannot pressure people who don't want to come to attend.

Your priest did not mean to be flip, I am sure. For any rational, independent, well-rooted Catholic, there is no risk whatsoever. As I stated in my earlier post, you need to just give yourself over to the weekend and let it take it's course. When I went, I didn't know a soul there and had no idea what to expect. Less than 48 hours later I didn't want the weekend to come to an end. I was looking for a little revitalization spiritually and found so much more.

[Hellisreal]

Hey there sjegts! You really did give me a lot of information, this is good.
Someone today told me its based on a Crusillo (SP?) method of focus on the holy spirit? I am not a charasmatic, so will this be a bummer for me?

I had a very awful experience with a charasmatic healing service/mass and will never get mixed up in anything where there is speaking of tongues or any slain in the spirit stuff. If you can tell me if that is involved, I would like to know even if Pm, because it was such a horrifying experience I prayed to God for weeks afterward and I promised myself I would never go through that again. It could push me over the edge right now, as I am already teetering.

Any help on clarifying this would be welcome.

Originally Posted by sjegts

Okay - I don't know if it's run all over the world or not. I am in Indiana and my sister in Missouri said it is at her parish now. I don't know the origin of it, but could research it in my literature. There is no pressure to do this yearly, as it is a 6 mo. process. Attend a weekend, be part of the formation team for 6 mos. meeting once a week, and then host the next weekend. There should never be pressure to recruit bodies. There should be, however, an openness to share the invitation to any and all you feel may benefit. You cannot pressure people who don't want to come to attend.

Your priest did not mean to be flip, I am sure. For any rational, independent, well-rooted Catholic, there is no risk whatsoever. As I stated in my earlier post, you need to just give yourself over to the weekend and let it take it's course. When I went, I didn't know a soul there and had no idea what to expect. Less than 48 hours later I didn't want the weekend to come to an end. I was looking for a little revitalization spiritually and found so much more.

[sjegts]

Originally Posted by Hellisreal

Hey there sjegts! You really did give me a lot of information, this is good.
Someone today told me its based on a Crusillo (SP?) method of focus on the holy spirit? I am not a charasmatic, so will this be a bummer for me?

I had a very awful experience with a charasmatic healing service/mass and will never get mixed up in anything where there is speaking of tongues or any slain in the spirit stuff. If you can tell me if that is involved, I would like to know even if Pm, because it was such a horrifying experience I prayed to God for weeks afterward and I promised myself I would never go through that again. It could push me over the edge right now, as I am already teetering.

Any help on clarifying this would be welcome.

Not even close. I am not a charismatic fan. No healing services/masses/laying on of hands/tongues/etc.

If you are seriously interested and seriously considering, e-mail me and let me know more details about where your CRHP is being offered, I could check out the one in your area to verify that in it's travels it has not deviated from the wonderful experience I had.

[Hellisreal]

There is no link from my parish on it. Its merely a blurb in the bulletin that states its starting soon. And, while the priest running it is okay (not my fav, but a good man, just a bit liberal for my taste) I dont see how you are going to get more information than I have, as I have been a member there for years and he knows me well. Poor guy. LOL!

But, I will PM you.

Originally Posted by sjegts

Not even close. I am not a charismatic fan. No healing services/masses/laying on of hands/tongues/etc.

If you are seriously interested and seriously considering, e-mail me and let me know more details about where your CRHP is being offered, I could check out the one in your area to verify that in it's travels it has not deviated from the wonderful experience I had.

[txsippian]

Originally Posted by Hellisreal

There is no link from my parish on it. Its merely a blurb in the bulletin that states its starting soon. And, while the priest running it is okay (not my fav, but a good man, just a bit liberal for my taste) I dont see how you are going to get more information than I have, as I have been a member there for years and he knows me well. Poor guy. LOL!

But, I will PM you.

Christ Renews His Parish has been the first step of my personal spiritual rebirth, parallelling our Parish Renewal . The whole process is The Holy Spirit speaking through each parishoner involved. The structure is not anything to be alarmed about regarding your experience with a Charismatic retreat. My prayer for you is that you are able to open your heart to the retreat FOR THE PARISH. Have faith my fellow seeker. Allow the Spriit of Christ to lead you along this path.

Forward thinking and planning for a parish sponsoring CRHP would be a my heartfelt suggestion. Each CRHP team has 20-36 members. After the Retreat is given, everyone is filled with a desire to perform good works in God's name, but there is a void that needs to be filled. My team had no immediate plan for an outlet for our team's fervor.
We have prayed for ways to follow the Spirit
, God answered out prayers!

Recently we began a men's discussion group of Catholic answers to todays challenges. The program is called "That Man Is You". We started the program the week following the conclusion of the CRHP retreat. NO VOID! TMIY gave all of the men a way to stay connected to the parish. So far we've met 3 times at 5:45am on Fridays . Each time we have had over 50 men in attendance and altogether nearly 80 different men total have risen before dawn to seek Christ .

Your Brother in Christ

[Alta]

Hi, Hellisreal!
I attended a CHRP retreat about 2 years ago. Whether you find CHRP helpful or not depends on what you want to get out of a retreat. I appreciate all the very positive reponses listed above. I did not find CHRP to be a retreat in the way that I think of retreats. I prefer silent preached retreats in which the retreatant spends lots of time praying on his own, going to spiritual direction, listening to talks given by the priest-retreat master, etc. At a CHRP retreat you listen to your fellow parishioners tell about an aspect of their faith and how it has impacted their lives. This may be wonderful for people who don't think the faith is for ordinary folks, etc., but for me it was quite painful in that I learned WAY more about some of my friend's personal, intimate lives than I really wanted to know, and which did nothing for my faith. In short, I did not find the CHRP retreat helpful. On top of that, we had to draw posters, make up songs and poems, etc., which I thought was goofy, but which the other people seemed to enjoy. On the plus side, the talks on Eucharist and confession were very good and doctrinally sound. Everyone had the opportunity to go to confession and we did have Holy Mass both days. So, it depends. If you want to "build community" with your fellow parishioners, go for it. If you want to discover your primary fault and determine a plan for pursuing holiness, CHRP-- at least the initial weekend-- is not "it".

Alta