Was able to receive the sacraments for the first time in decades.
 
Through Christ Renews His Parish activities, I met my wife.
 
I hesitated to attend a CHRP weekend as I am quiet and shy and a very private person. The weekend that I attended was such a wonderful experience, And I have since been part of a mission team, taking the gift of Christ Renews His Parish to another parish in the area - and I would not hesitate to attend again! I made new friendships and my relationship with our Lord grew, just like a mustard seed!
It made the church smaller.
 
The faces you see at Mass might actually become your friends.
 
You get to meet other parishioners in a spiritual and even fun setting featuring prayer and conversation.
 
The beauty of the weekend is the peace of being disconnected from the world for a while and being in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
 
After my husband, a convert to the Catholic faith, attended a Christ Renews His Parish retreat, he began encouraging me to do so as well.  At first I said “No. I’m not a retreat person.” He didn’t stop and I finally said “Back off! I am a cradle Catholic and have no need to go!” He persisted and after five years (!) I relented and it was amazing. It sounds cliche, but it was life-changing. I had no idea how little I knew about my faith and the enveloping love of God!

It brought me closer to God. I realized that my relationship with Him was more important than society led me to believe.
 
It was surprising to hear others had the same concerns and issues that I have.
 
After finishing up with RCIA, I was looking for the next step to learn more about my Catholic faith. Christ Renews His Parish weekend provided that.
 
After attending the retreat, the church feels more like a community than just a place I go on Sundays.
 
Our retreat happened just a couple of weeks after we joined St. Pius parish.  That proved to be one of the smartest moves we could have made.
 
My husband and I went on CRHP at the same time.  This was an accident, and it was an accident that succeeded brilliantly.  I really do believe the retreat is great, not just for individuals, but for spouses.
 
Since my weekend I see Mass in a different light. It has become something I GET to do instead of an obligation I HAVE to do.
 
It showed me how to engage in this large and active parish and serve others as Jesus told us to do.
 
God gives me 52 weekends a year; surely I can give him one.
 
I realized I was just “warming the pew” each Sunday. I was drifting away and didn’t even know it. CRHP brought me back to reality and to Christ.
 
I was looking for the next step to learn more about my Catholic faith. The Christ Renews His Parish weekend provided that - the weekend, as well as the team formation, as our team was preparing to “gift” the next men’s retreat weekend.
  
CRHP was a time when I could renew my faith, meet other women who were like minded and meet my need to be more involved in my faith. I will say at the time it was my first retreat and I was wary of what it all meant. The confusion did not lessen until I went through formation. It has been a blessing in so many unanticipated ways!



REGISTER