The Light of the World Retreat: This Is Your Year to Encounter Christ

There are many ways to encounter Jesus Christ. A retreat is a wonderful way to set aside the routines and look at life through a different lens and truly experience committed time with Jesus. With this in mind, Deacon Tim Weinmann helps coordinate the Light of the World Retreat, which is from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 this year.

“My conversion has been around retreat experiences,” Deacon Tim says. “Retreats are holy ground. Amazing things can happen. Give yourself this gift.”

The Light of the World Retreat is a chance for men and women, 18 and older, to experience a personal encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The retreat takes place in the Parish Life Center here at the Cathedral beginning on Friday evening, Oct. 29, and ending on Monday evening, Nov. 1. On Saturday and Sunday, the retreat is all day.

Deacon Tim first experienced a Light of the World Retreat through the Diocese of Rockford, Ill., where the ministry originated. He decided to bring it to the Cathedral about five years ago.

According to the Light of the World Retreat website, the weekend is an experience where participants personally encounter Christ through the presentation of the kerygma — the basic Gospel message.

Whitney Allen has helped plan the retreat since the year after she attended the Cathedral’s first Light of the World Retreat. Many retreat participants return to help run future retreats. Whitney helped develop this year’s tagline, “Make Having a Personal Relationship With Jesus Your New Normal.”

“This is an invitation to go deeper into your own relationship with Jesus and discover what that means,” Whitney says.

The retreat includes Mass, speakers, smallgroup discussions, and time for sharing. There are also brief periods of adoration throughout the weekend.

“We want there to be adoration throughout the weekend, and the idea is you are going to meet Jesus in an up-close and personal way through the retreat,” Deacon Tim says. “You are given some specific things to pray about. You take those to the Lord. These are often the most intimate and moving parts of the retreat.”

Whitney says we need to resist any guilt of leaving our everyday life for the weekend. The retreat is a chance to grow and really have a lifechanging experience.

“This needs to be an act of spiritual self-care,” she says. “You have to commit to going a bit deeper. Ask your family for this to be a gift to you.”

Deacon Tim and Whitney want attendees to leave the retreat with the tools to live the faith more vibrantly and actively, and they hope the stories from retreat speakers and the time for adoration and Mass will help attendees experience Jesus Christ. Retreat attendees are there to support each other going forward.

“This is a place you can come, especially now, and look at life,” Deacon Tim says. “Look at this as a gift to yourself — not for selfish reasons. You will be better able to serve those you encounter.”

Retreat registration information is available at cathedralctk.org/light-of-the-world-retreat. Those with any questions may contact Deacon Tim Weinmann at 859-266-9314 or tweinmann@cdlex.org.

Retreat participants gather for reflection and prayer.