Lay Director Sample Weekend Script
Lay Director Sample Script
APPROXIMATE TIMES SATURDAY
6:30am Final Preparations
Finalize table assignments
7:55am – Lower Level “Welcome Comments”
Encourage retreatants to conclude breakfast and family good-byes. [CSD or SD may pray prior to departure w/all.] (Note: some parishes do not encourage families to stay out of respect for those who do not have familes.)
8:30am – Chapel “Chapel Opening Comments”
Explain purpose of Chapel:
We will be visiting the Chapel frequently this weekend for quiet time, reflection and prayer. Because Christ is present in the Blessed Sacrament, it is important that we remain reverent while we are there. We will now proceed to the Chapel.
8:50am – Witness Room “Witness Room Opening Comments”
I will have the opportunity to speak to you several times throughout the weekend. My role is kind of like that of a “host”. To ensure that the next 32 hours are ones in which we all feel comfortable and at peace, it is appropriate at this time to go over a few guidelines for the weekend:
This room is called the Witness Room. We ask that there be no food or drinks in this room except for your water bottles and the candy in the buckets.
If you are a smoker, we ask that you please smoke outside. There is no smoking in the church building.
If there are any emergency messages, we will get them to you.
We ask that no one enters the kitchen area. If you need anything, please let one of us know and we will be happy to help you.
You might wonder throughout the weekend, “What time is it?” You are officially now on God’s time and he wants you to relax and not worry about schedules, because he is seeing to the details! So we ask that if you are wearing a watch, please place it in the zip lock bags going around. This also includes cell phones and pagers. If you have medication to take at a specific time, please let us know and one of the team members will remind you at the appropriate time. We will put all of these articles in a safe place and they will be returned to you on Sunday before leaving. We really want you to enjoy this special time with just you and the Lord.
As I mentioned before, we will be making several trips to the Chapel both today and tomorrow. Please keep in mind that the Eucharist is present so we should conduct ourselves in a reverent manner.
We ask that you please wear your nametag at all times. It helps to speed up the getting acquainted time with each other.
We have many scheduled breaks throughput the weekend to use the restrooms, but if you have an emergency, please feel free to excuse yourself. You don’t have to raise your hand. There are other events taking place this weekend so we may be using different restrooms at different times.
Feel free to take notes . This can help you be more attentive and can help with the sharing. Feel free to share as little or as much as you want. Sharing is not mandatory. But we believe we can all learn from each other, so we encourage as much sharing as you are comfortable with.
You will find a notebook on your table with your name on it. Inside you will find the prayer to the Holy Spirit which we’ll be using frequently throughout the weekend, a description of the various themes we will be discussing, a listing of the scripture verses that will be used and the songs we will be playing throughout the weekend.
Some of the retreatants will be sharing some very intimate and personal issues in their lives. Therefore, we ask out of respect for the individual that whatever is shared stay confidential.
We will be celebrating Mass so, for those who are not Catholic and do not receive the Eucharist, please feel free approach the altar with your arms crossed to receive a blessing.
8:55am – Witness Room “Retreatant Introduction Comments”
It is now time to get to know each other. What I would like each of you to do is come up to the podium, by table, and introduce yourself. Please tell us:
your name
family members
subdivision you live in
occupation
and, years in the parish.
We have a cheat sheet up here to help you. But before we get started, I have to tell you about a tradition we have here with Christ Renews His Parish.
After each person says their name, we applaud and say their name. This is a sign of affirmation. It may help ease any embarrassment you have by standing up here, it is psychologically supportive and it keeps everyone attentive.
I will begin and then we will go from table to table, and then to the team members not sitting at a table, and we will finish with our Co-Spiritual Director.
Retreatants introduce
Team members not at table introduce
Co-Spiritual Director introduces
9:25am – Witness Room “Saturday Bible Enthronement Opening Comments”
You will notice on the table in front of you, you have each received a Bible. This is yours to keep. We will be using the Bible often throughout the weekend. Pease take a minute to put your name on the inside cover to identify yours. You will find pens in the center of the table. When we are going to look something up in the Bible, we will specify Old or New Testament, the page number, followed by the book, chapter and verse. If you need help locating a piece of scripture in your Bible, please don’t hesitate to ask for assistance – we’ve all been there. If at any time throughout the weekend you hear a scripture that means something to you, please feel free to underline or highlight it. These Bibles are yours to keep!
Explain Bible Enthronement:
We will begin our mornings with a Bible Enthronement. At the Vatican Council it was the custom each morning to enthrone the Book of Gospels on the altar, to show that Christ presided over the assembly. We follow this custom at our renewal weekend. God speaks to us through the words of scripture, revealing to us what He has done for us and how much He loves us. Jesus is the WORD of God made flesh. Through the Bible Enthronement we invite Jesus to walk in our midst; to teach, to touch, to forgive, to heal, and to love. Please stand.
Bible Enthronement
9:35am – Witness Room “Saturday Bible Enthronement Closing Comments”
Explain the Light of Christ: Just like Scripture Christ the light we share.
(tables light candles)
I would like to Invite one person from each table to approach the Christ candle, light a lighting stick, return to your table to light your own candle, then return to place your lighting stick in the sand.
Now that Christ has been invited to your table, I’d like to lead us in the Lord’s Prayer.
Lead “The LORD’s Prayer”
Dismiss for restroom break
9:40am – Witness Room “Explanation of Witnessing”
Explain process of witnessing and blessing:
Throughout the weekend, several men will give a witness on a particular theme. The Themes selected are important to the overall renewal process. Collectively, these themes will hopefully deliver the message that “Jesus Christ wants to be at the center of our lives and he is actively involved in the lives of many”. All the witnesses you will har will be variations of this overall message.
After each witness finishes, we will play a closing song selected by the witness which has spoken to him in a special way and reflects on the theme of his witness.
During the song, you may see others approaching to offer affirmation of his witness. You should feel welcome to offer your affirmations to any witness. You are also invited to spend this time for quiet reflection, perhaps meditating on any scripture you heard from the witness that spoke to you. Before each witness begins, we will extend our hand over them in prayer. You are welcome to join us in this prayer.
NAME will be giving our witness on the theme of Renewal. S/He will be sharing how renewal has occurred in his/her life. Please remember that what NAME shares is to remain confidential. I would now like to introduce NAME.
(NAME comes forward for blessing) - Lead Prayer to Holy Spirit
10:15am – Witness Room “Post-Renewal Witness Comments”
Provide instructions for theme reflection and shared prayer:
Let’s take a few moments to discuss at your tables what you just heard and perhaps share your own experiences of renewal. Be open and listen to one another. Remember we are not here to critique the witness, but to focus on the theme of renewal. Also remember that anything shared from the witness or at your table is confidential.
10:30am – Witness Room Table assignments
Now you have an opportunity to be creative! I have an assignment for each table to work on for the next several minutes. Please work as a team and in a few minutes we will be sharing these creations with each other. I would like for you to convey the theme of “Renewal” as shared by Chad in one of six different ways:
[refer to Table Assignments sheet]
Give 5-minute warning at 10:40am
10:45am – Witness Room Table presentations
I will call each table forward one at a time to share your creations. Please remember to give your name before your presentation.
Start with Table 1
11:00am – Witness Room Dismiss for break
We are going to take a short snack break. During the break, talk with the other people at your table and come up with a table name. Please choose a name with a Biblical meaning or twist. Be creative and have fun! We’ll be calling you back into the witness room in 10 minutes.
Give 2-minute warning at 11:08am
11:10am – Witness Room Table name selection
Let’s take the next few minutes at your tables to decide on your table name.
11:20am – Witness Room Table name presentations
Let’s reveal our table names.
Call tables one at a time.
11:25am – Witness Room New Life In Christ Witness
I would like to ask NAME, who will be giving his witness on the theme of “New Life in Christ, to come forward.
(NAME comes forward for blessing) - Lead Prayer to Holy Spirit
12:00pm – Witness Room “Post-New Life in Christ Witness Comments”
Provide instructions for theme reflection and shared prayer:
Please take some time at your tables for reflection and discussion of your own experiences of a New Life in Christ. Please remember to focus your discussion on the theme and not on the individual witness.
12:15pm – Witness Room Table assignments
You will now have the opportunity to express the theme of “New Life in Christ” with another creation. Your assignments are as follows:
[refer to Table Assignments sheet]
Give 5-minute warning at 12:25pm
12:30pm – Witness Room Table presentations
I will call each table forward one at a time to share your creations. Please remember to give your name before your presentation.
Start with Table 2
12:45pm – Witness Room Dismiss for lunch
We will now go to lunch. There will be assigned seats, so please find your name at the table. Once we’re all there, we will begin our meal with a prayer.
Dismiss for lunch.
1:15pm – Lower Level “Saturday Post-Lunch Comments”
Give 5-minute warning at 1:10pm – restroom break if necessary
We will now proceed to the Chapel. Please remember to be reverent while we are there.
1:20pm – Chapel “Saturday Afternoon Chapel Comments”
Explain and initiate shared prayer:
We will conduct a shared prayer here in front of our Eucharistic LORD. Remember, shared prayer is just conversation with our LORD shared with those around us. It is not a performance to be judged – just what is in our hearts. Shared prayer gives us the opportunity to voice our concerns, thoughts and thanksgivings among friends who support us and pray with and for us. I will start, then anyone who would like may follow. There may be times of silence -- it is OK to just be at peace. Initiate shared prayer …
Co-Spiritual Director concludes shared prayer.
1:40pm – Chapel Dismiss to Witness Room
We will now return to the Witness Room. You may stop for a brief restroom break along the way if necessary.
Dismiss to Witness Room. (Once in Witness Room, Co-Spiritual Director can share a short reading (or allow for sharing at tables) while awaiting arrival of Spirituality Witness.)
2:00pm – Witness Room Spirituality Witness
I would like to ask NAME who will be giving witness on the theme of “Spirituality”, to come forward.
(NAME comes forward for blessing) - Lead Prayer to Holy Spirit.
2:35pm – Witness Room “Post-Spirituality Witness Comments”
Provide instructions for theme reflection and shared prayer:
Please take some time to discuss the theme of Spirituality. Maybe where you are or where you’re going. Feel free to share your own thoughts and feelings, and your own experiences on Spirituality. And again, everything is confidential.
2:50pm – Witness Room Table assignments
You will now have the opportunity to express the theme of “Spirituality” with another creation. Your assignments are as follows
(refer to Table Assignments sheet)
Give 5-minute warning at 3:00pm
3:05pm – Witness Room Table presentations
Start with Table 3
3:20pm – Witness Room Dismiss for break
We will now take a snack break. We’ll meet back here in 10 minutes. (An activity during this break is recommended.)
3:30pm – Witness Room “One-on-One Sharing Exercise Comments”
Introduce and explain One-on-One Sharing exercise:
We are going to take around 30 minutes for some one-on-one sharing. We would like each retreatant to pair up with another retreatant, someone that you do not know and someone from another table. During this time you will share the answers to two questions, which are on a card that we’ll provide. We would like one person to share on these two questions for the first 15 minutes, and then switch. As each speaks, the other listens. There should be no interruption, no response or advice given. The gift here is that of full attention. Silence between the two is OK. Once you are in pairs, you can find a place to sit in this vicinity of the building or outside on the playground. We’ll let you know when 15 minutes have passed so you can switch. We’ll also let you know when it’s time to return to the Witness Room. You may now get up and find a partner.
Return to Witness Room at 4:00pm
4:05pm – Witness Room Christian Community Witness
I would like to ask NAME who will be giving his witness on the theme of “Christian Community”, to come forward.
(NAME comes forward for blessing) - Lead Prayer to Holy Spirit.
4:40pm – Witness Room “Post-Christian Community Witness Comments”
Provide instructions for theme reflection and shared prayer:
Please discuss with one another about your experiences with Christian Community. Please remember the focus is on the theme, not the witness. Please be open and listen to those at your table, and recall that everything is confidential.
4:55pm – Witness Room Table assignments
You will now have the opportunity to express the theme of “Christian Community” with another creation. Your assignments are as follows
(refer to Table Assignments sheet)
Give 5-minute warning at 5:05pm
5:10pm – Witness Room Table presentations
Start with Table 4
5:25pm – Witness Room Dismiss for break
We will now take a brief restroom break. We will meet back in here in 10 minutes.
5:35pm – Witness Room Christian Awareness Witness
I would like to ask NAME, who will be giving witness on the theme of “Christian Awareness”, to come forward.
(NAME comes forward for blessing) - Lead Prayer to Holy Spirit.
Thank NAME for coming here tonight.
6:10pm – Witness Room “Post-Christian Awareness Witness Comments”
Provide instructions for theme reflection and shared prayer:
Please take some time to discuss your own experience of Christian Awareness. Feel free to share your own feelings and be open and listen to one another. Please remember, we are here to share our own experiences on Christian Awareness. We are not here to discuss the witnesser.
6:25pm – Witness Room Table assignments
You will now have the opportunity to express the theme of “Christian Awareness” with another creation. Your assignments are as follows
(refer to Table Assignments sheet)
Give 5-minute warning at 6:35pm
6:40pm – Witness Room Table presentations
Start with Table 5
6:55pm – Witness Room Dismiss for dinner
We will now proceed to the Dining Hall for dinner. Please take your Bible with you.
You will need them before we return to the Witness Room.
7:30pm – Lower Level “Reconciliation Service Comments”
We will now proceed to the church where NAME will present his witness on the theme of “Reconciliation”. Once inside the church, please sit at the front of the church as a group. Please bring your Bible with you as we proceed to the Church.
9:50 pm – Witness Room Eucharist Witness [Co-Spiritual Director introduces Eucharist witness.]
(NAME comes forward for blessing) - Lead Prayer to Holy Spirit.
10:10pm – Witness Room “Post-Eucharist Witness Comments”
Please take some time to discuss your own experience with the Eucharist. Feel free to share your own feelings and be open and listen to one another. Please remember, we are here to share our own experiences on Christian Awareness. We are not here to discuss the witnesser.
10:20pm – Witness Room Dismiss to Chapel
Now we will be able to experience what NAME has just spoken to us about -- the amazing experience of receiving our LORD in the Eucharist. We will now proceed to the Chapel for Mass. Let us all remember to be reverent as we enter the Chapel.
(Distribute Personal Commitment sheets.)
10:55pm – Chapel “Post-Celebration of the Eucharist Comments”
We will now return to the Witness Room. When you’re back at your table, spend some time sharing your feelings about the Reconciliation Service and the Celebration of the Eucharist.
11:00pm – Witness Room “Sleeping Instructions”
It has been a long day, so we will now take some time for rest. In just a moment, we will all stand for the Bible Dethronement, then we will proceed to the room next door to get your luggage, then to the church where you will sleep. First, a few details: There are sleeping mats outside of the Church. Carry your mat into the Church……you may sleep anywhere you want with the exception of the altar platform. You can use the restroom facilities outside of the Church or in the Lower Level. There is no need to worry about an alarm clock. We will wake you when it is time.
11:15pm – Witness Room Bible Dethronement
Please stand.
Bible Dethronement—Ready for bed
APPROXIMATE TIMES SUNDAY
7:30am – Chapel Conclude Shared Prayer
Conclude shared prayer; use scripture verse
8:15am – Witness Room “Sunday Bible Enthronement Comments”
You may remember yesterday when we reflected on the significance of the light of Christ, and how the candle on each table can be a symbol of Christ in our midst. One person from each table is asked to come forward and take a flame from the Christ candle and carry it back to their table.
NAME will share with us a bible passage this morning and a short reflection.
8:30am – Witness Room Scripture Witness
I would like to ask NAME, who will be giving witness on the theme of “Scripture”, to come forward.
(NAME comes forward for blessing) - Lead Prayer to Holy Spirit.
9:05am – Witness Room “Post-Scripture Witness Comments”
Please take some time to discuss what role Scripture has played in your life. Please be open with one another and listen to what others have to say. Thank you for continuing to honor confidentiality.
If time allows, consider adding an Emmaus Walk.
9:20am – Witness Room Table assignments
I know it’s early, but I’m sure you all have creative ideas swirling around in your minds already! Remember to work as a team to come up with your presentation about Scripture.
(refer to Table Assignments sheet)
Give 5-minute warning at 9:30am
9:35am – Witness Room Table presentations
Start with Table 6
9:50am – Witness Room Dismiss for break
We will now take a break for brunch. Please be aware that Mass and School of Religion classes are taking place this morning, so be sure to be considerate by keeping our noise level low.
10:30am – Witness Room Father’s Loving Care Witness
I would like to ask NAME, who will be giving witness on the theme of “Father’s Loving Care”, to come forward.
(NAME comes forward for blessing) - Lead Prayer to Holy Spirit.
12:10pm – Witness Room “Table Sharing/Prayer Comments/Help Letters”
We have a wonderful gift for you now.
(Deliver the Help Letters)
Each table will now have private shared prayer time. This is the opportunity to give thanks for the blessings God has revealed to you. You may share prayer or scripture; this is your time together as a table.
12:35pm – 12:45pm Restroom Break Announce Restroom Break
12:45pm – Witness Room Discipleship Witness
(Come forward for blessing)
Present witness on theme of “Discipleship”
1:20pm Discipleship Witness returns to Chapel
1:50 – Move to Church for Mass
Liturgist Announce Song – Move to Church
1:55 - Mass
3:50pm – Witness Room “Weekend Closing Comments”
I would like to remind everyone again about the “Evening of Discipleship” which will be held on DATE/TIME in the Chapel room. Please bring your Bible, Personal Commitment sheet and nametag. Before we leave, I would like to invite you to spend the next few minutes completing the comment cards found on your table. After you are finished, please give these cards to your Table Leader.
4:30pm – Witness Room “Sunday Bible Dethronement Comments”
It is time for the Bible Dethronement. Closing song
4:35pm – Witness Room “Dismissal Comments”
On behalf of Team 12, I would like to thank each of you for responding to the LORD’s call to attend this Christ Renews His Parish renewal weekend. And we thank you for allowing us to nurture and care for you. We hope we have reflected Christ in all that we have done. We look forward to seeing each of you on the evening of March 9th.