RLP Franciscan Retreats - UPDATE

The retreats have come together in ways that I could never have imagined. A number of people in the church have stepped up to organize things. We're learning to function like a retreat center. We currently have about 10 people signed up for each of the three retreats. I anticipate additional people coming to the last two retreats. We can take a maximum of 20, but 10 to 15 is a very nice number for this kind of thing. There will be 5 to 7 people from our church attending as well.

[1]
But even if we had 20 people come, it would still be an intimate gathering where we can get to know each other and enjoy lots of good conversations. We're really not interested in doing anything on a larger scale than that.

Paul Soupiset [2] has put together a booklet that we will be giving to everyone who attends. There will be more in it, but you can see the schedule and read more about the retreat. Click the cover to download the .pdf file. Note: This is just a demo version. There will be more information in the final version, and the example Franciscan rule will be changed slightly.

A few things have changed:

1. You can spend the night at our church as our guest on Saturday night if you want to stay over for church on Sunday. Those who do will all go to the Riverwalk [3] on Saturday night for authentic Tex-Mex food. [4]

2. We're providing towels so that you don't have to carry wet ones back home. For this first retreat, you'll need to bring your own sheets and pillows, etc. Hopefully we'll have those for people soon. We'd like this to be as easy for you as possible. Drop everything and come without worrying about food, lodging, etc.

3. Here is our updated schedule for the weekend:

Friday afternoon/evening:

12:00 - Arrivals begin. Feel free to explore.
6:00 - Sanctuary: Reception & Sign-in
7:00 - Vespers Prayer Service
7:30 - St. Francis and his life before God
8:30 - Snack Supper
9:00 - Making a Rule of Life I
10:00 - Compline Prayer Service
11:00 - Free Time: Conversation / Sleep / Rule of Life / Late Night Yoga / Labyrinth

Saturday

4:50 - A Bell will be rung to announce Lauds
5:00 - Lauds Prayer Service
5:30 - Free Time: Sleep / Prayer / Sunrise Labyrinth
7:00 - Free Time Options: Yoga
8:00 - A South Texas Breakfast
9:00 - Terce Prayer Service
9:30 - Making a Rule of Life II
10:30 - Free Time: Rest / Work / Art / Meditation
12:00 - Sext Prayer Service
12:30 - Lunch, Free Time
1:30 - Free Time (Some will pack for departure)
2:00 - Making a Rule of Life III
3:00 - None Prayer and Communion Service
3:30 - Benediction / Group Photo
4:00 - Vans leave for Airport & Downtown
6:00 - Dinner on San Antonio Riverwalk
±11:00 - Vans return to Covenant

Sunday

8:00 - Stow all luggage in Gordon’s office by 8
9:30 - Optional devotional with Paul
10:15 - Coffee & Doughnuts
10:30 - Covenant Worship Service
12:00 - Vans leave for Airports

Full details (contact information, etc.) are on the retreat page. [5]