| CONTENTS Preface Prologue |
ANTIOCH WEEKEND LEADERS MANUAL |
|||||
|
|
...X |
LEADER'S GUIDE AND SCHEDULE |
||||
| Introduction
to the Antioch Weekend
|
What follows is the schedule which the Leader should use during the Weekend. It should be a help to him during the weekend. Usually, the Leader will be the one who will be under the biggest strain during the weekend. He has to remember every detail and see that each thing goes well. And he has to do this all in a tight schedule. The following pages contain most of the details he will have to remember and most of the things he will have to do, all in a schedule. Using it will make him freer to give himself as completely as possible to each thing he has to do. The following schedule is just notes. Where it indicates that the Leader should make a few remarks, he should amplify on what is in the schedule. He should make each little talk spontaneous and give it with feeling. The leader can use the schedule for notes, writing down the things he will have to do at the times he will have to do them. It would be a good idea if the leader made up a number of file cards, so that when he gets up to say something, he does not have to bring this schedule along and read from it. The file cards can contain the points that have to be made. This schedule should be reprinted for the leader's use so he can carry it around without having to carry the whole Manual around. Where it says "Ask": and a question follows can sum up the point of the talk, and stress that the discussion should focus on the main point of each talk. In order to begin each event at the schedule time, the leader will have to start getting things going before the schedule time. The leader should be sensitive and flexible as to the time al-lowed for discussion - giving more or less time as it is needed. The leader should carry a small New Testament with him and read from it at the appropriate points. Some thing do not come at any special time, but are things that the Leader should be constantly doing. Some of these are: Check and see where everyone is. Do not lose one. They have been entrusted to you. Check with the other team member frequently. See how the people in their discussion groups are. See how the discussion have been going. See how anyone else that they may have talked to is getting along. Get their remarks on how things have been done, how things are going in general, what should be done. See how the team members are, how they are holding up. Think ahead, know what is coming up, keep checking the schedule. Be joyful (Don't let the details weigh you down.) Rely on God to make sure that all goes well. Be loving. Try to be the love of Christ for each one there. FRIDAY EVENING 6:00 - Mass for the Team Preferably the votive Mass of the Holy Spirit. 6:30 - Preliminary meeting for the team (conduct by the leader) A. Prayer to the Holy Spirit B. Explanation of the groups dynamics (highlighting or re-emphasizing what is in the Team Instructions) - the role of the leader: he is in charge of everything, makes all decisions, should know everything - the role of the assistant leader: he should keep track of all the participants and how they are responding; he should be kept informed about the participants and the discussions - the role of the speakers: as leaven (to always be first, to keep away from each other, to keep spirit up, etc.) - the role of the speaker in personal contact (getting to know the participants, being concerned for them, etc.) - the role of the speakers in discussions: to stimulate, but not to dominate. - the importance of preparation for the evaluation meeting (making up a list) - going over the shedule, especially: at the first meditation, check who from the team will go to confession, who will get up and leave after about 10 minutes, who will sit back for the period of prayer At Mass, check who will read, serve during the long breaks, check who will start the games, who will wash dishes, who will watch for loners. review the period for the reports and the party. C. Assign lists of the participants so that everyone will have been talked to bey someone on the team by Saturday afternoon. Survey the candidates. D. Assign people to pray during the talks, at least one person in the chapel praying during eack talk. E. General attitudes (emphasize to team) - Love those whom God has given us. Give the whole weekend to them, forget ourselves. "Whatever you do for the least of these my brethren, you have done for me." "Love one another as I have loved you. "If we wonder what to do, we should try to think of what Christ would have done. If necessary: it does not matter how many there are, these are the ones God has given us. - We should take the weekend too: there is no such thing as simply giving it or working on it. We are talking it along with the students Christ is speaking to us too in this weekend giving us all a chance to grow, to love. - Dont worry, What we do, we do for God, He gives the increase We put everything in His hands - Pray unceasingly - They should see in us what we are talking - a really living Christianity. F. A visit with prayer by everyone, if possible. 7:30 - Scheduled Arrival Time Make sure there is someone to take care of early arrivals: have them get settled, get name tags made, etc. Check to see if blackboard and song-sheet are ready for the opening talk. Meet the candidates: have them help in setting up the rooms. Check with the janitor on place where the materials will be kept. 8:15 - Opening talk by leader Have them bring note paper before they sit down. Song practice after the talk (practice Mass songs and others) Remind the next speaker to start with a prayer. Remind the person and assigned to pray during the talk. 9:15 - God's Call Give out paper to those who don't have any. Tell them to take notes for use in the discussions tomorrow. Draw the picture, saying this talk will center on God's concern for men (for us) and the call which he addresses to them. Introduce the speaker (year of studies, major, hometown.) Close with a prayer ending with: "Holy Mary. R. Pray for us." 10:00 - Break "Coffee (sanka and/ or hot chocolate) and donuts" 10:30 - Meditation on Prayer Explain that confessions will be heard 10 mintues after the meditation ends. Introduce the meditation After the meditation is finished, explain what to do: "Pray as long as you want to (Don't hint that they might not want to Sit or kneel when you pray: whatever helps the most Go to bed quitely Please sleep; the more sleep you get the better for tommorow." 5 minutes after the meditation (or before the first one gets up to leave announce confessions. 11:30 - Sleep Check on the server for Mass the next day (it should be the man who gives God's Call) Check on the reader for Mass (the Assistant Leader): Make sure he knows what to read Put out the song sheets, rearrange the chapel (if necessary) Have a short meeting with the Assistant Leader and the Priest in charge. Draw up the tables and choose the table leaders. SATURDAY 6:45 - The Leader gets up 7:00 - Rising Time Make sure everyone is getting up Check on Mass Reader and server Host The commentary before Mass Tell everyone that confession will be heard at 7:15, but not during Mass Tell everyone to bring their song sheets to Mass Remind them about name tags 7:30 - Mass Introduction Comment on the Mass of the day Explain: The offertory procession Instruction for standing, kneeling, sitting (if necessary) Lead the responses, the standing, sitting, and kneeling. 8:15 - Breakfast The talk on grace before meals (given by the priest): Blessing of food, families, homes, ect. an Old Testament and traditional Christian custom We have received a sharing in the priesthood of Chrit, the power of Christ. This gives us the power to bless (the priest, and also the father of the family, everyone.) After the meal, ask the priest to say a thanksgiving. 8:45 - Break Tell them to clean up the tables Not to wash dishes now to take care of all emergencies, or possible future emergencies Get the table leaders together and explain to them what to do to start the discussions but not to dominate them to try to keep it on the right track (the topic of the talk) to try to get everyone in it (maybe go around the table at times) to keep off abstruse theological problems not to question the priests not to keep out of the discussions and just stimulate them, but to take part too. Remind the person assigned to pray during the next talk Remind the speaker to start with a prayer. 9:00 - The Work of Christ Read off the discussion groups and the leaders names (having them sit together). Explain that there will be a discussion after-wards. Reminding them that the weekend will depend on the active cooperation of everyone. Sing: "There is None Like Him" or "Arise" (Ps. 99) (Have them stand) Draw the picture saying this talk will center on Christ's work which makes it possible for us to fulfill God's plan for us. Introduce the Speaker Close with a prayer, ending with: "Mary, Mother of our Saviour; R. Pray for us. 9:45 - Discussions Explain the discussions: They should share insights (in a spirit of charity, of giving) Comment on the use of the wisdom of God (wisdom is not just abstract, but it is an insigth into the way of life is best lived, and what Christ's message is the wisdom of God - God's understanding of how life is best lived). "Grow man to what he will, if he lacks the vision that comes from God, he is nothing." (Wis. 6:6) They should relate the talks to their lives now as students Try to be concrete, practical, to get at the real problem The rest of the talks will be more practical, but these first two will be the basis Warm them not to get into difficult theological questions: the Antioch Weekend is not designed to be a seminar, it is designed to be a chance to understand how to be a Christian student. Each discussion group will present reports tonight, so for each discussion (after each talk) the leader will appoint someone to give the report. The report should be on the discussio, not on the talk There will be a different report for each talk It should be about 10 sentences in length A different person will give each report This discussion should be on the last two talks The Antioch Weekend will be trying to help each person to under-stantd God's call, to understand his place in God's plan, as a member of God's people; and this can only be done by understand-ing the place of Christ in history and in our lives Ask the questions: What is God calling us to? Why did Christ come? After about 20 minutes, remind them to start on the reports Warn them about 5 minutes before the end of the discussion Decide which priests will be available for consulatation and where they will be 10:30 - Break Ask each groups to get together and come up with a name for their discussion groups - they should be ready with it by the afternoon Explain the discussion group system for washing dishes and play-ing volleyball. Encourage games (volleyball) Tell them which priests will be available and where they will be Remind them to stay close by Remind the person assigned to pray during the talk Remind the speaker to pray before his talk Start reminding the team members about the talk Growth, so they will be ready to lead the discussion Check to see if the address list is being made up 11:15 - Christin Community Have them stand and sign: "God is Love" Tell them about the people helping out to make the Antioch Week-end a success (kitchen help, etc.) Remind them to take notes Draw the picture, saying this talk will center on the Church, the community of those who live with God in Christ. Introduce the speaker Make sure the doors are shut if the kitchen in nearby (to keep out any noises of meal preparation) Close with a prayer if the speaker does not; ending with: Mary, Mother of the Church R. Pray for us. 12:00 - Discussion Comment on the meaning of the AWE as joint study (working out together the implications of God's word for us). Remind them that Christ is among us, present now, at the tables, and we should talk in His presence. Ask: What is a Christian community and how can we make into more of one? Give them a warning before breaking off the discussion. 12:45 - Lunch Ask a priest to say grace if he does not begin himself At the end, ask him to say the tanksgiving. 1:15 - Break Announce that they will have a break, ask them to clear the tables, but not wash dishes now Remind the person who will pray during the next talk. 1:30 - Being a Christian Sing (standing) "The Battle Hymn" Tell them that they should stand during talks if they are tired. Draw the picture, saying that this talk will center on what the individual must to do be part of the Christian Community and respond to God's call. Introduce the speaker by major, year and hometown. After the talk tell them that they have 2-3 minutes to think before starting the discussions. Close with a prayer; ending with: V. Mary, help of Christians, R. Pray for us. 2:15 - Discussions Focus the discussion by indicating that they should talk about what it is to be a Christian. Warn them about 5 minutes before the end of the discussion. 3:00 - Break Send the next team to do the dishes Encourage volleyball TEll them about the priests who will be available Remind them to come back with their name tags if they have for-gotten Remind the person who will pray during the next talk Try to play volleyball 3:45 - Growth Stand and sing: ask for what they want Draw the picture, saying tha this talk will explain What we must do practically to live out being a Christian. Introduce the speaker Close with a prayer; ending: Mary, Queen of all saints. 4:30 - Discussions Explain that there will be books for sale. Ask them to listen to the team members at the tables who will lead the discussions. See that the books are out and that the chapel is ready. Choose a crossbearer and candlebearers for the Stations. Warn them 5 minutes before the end. 5:15 - Stations and Meditation on Life as Giving Before leaving for the chapel, remind them that the AWE will be worthless unless they implement what they have learned: they must change their lives and their schools for the better. (Refer back to Growth) "You must be honest with yourselves. You must be doers of the word and not content just to listen to it." (James 1:22) Now is the time to start thinking about what to do. Talk to a priest as you go about this (explain spiritual direc-tion) Go to the Chapel. Give out the simple prayer of St. Francis Tell them that there will be a chance to pray and to go to con-fession or spiritual direction afterwards and dinner will follow. Begin by singing Ps. 129. 6:30 - Dinner Have the priest teach them how to bless food (and their families) by making the sign of the cross with their hands over the food. Let him explain again briefly the meaning of blessing things. At the end, ask the priest to say the thanksgiving. 7:15 - Break 7:45 - Reports Sing (standing) "When the Saints go Marching In" or ask what they want. Give them 5 minutes to get their reports ready. Ask for the tables names. Tell them that the reports will be presented by tables for the first talk, then for the second, etc. Flip for the first up. Tell them the reports are to be short summaries. not comment on the speakers, only on the discussions; identify themselves and their tables. If the summaries are too long, remind them. If they forget to give their names and tables, remind them. 8:45 - The Party The Assistant Leader will take care of running the party. Tell them they will have a chance to relax (beer, etc.) Give them about 1/2 hour or so to just talk. Start singing, but don't let it go too long (stop it well before they are tired of it.) Have a game (Charades) that is funny. Have a joke session. Start singing again (stop before they are tired of it). Have a short song practice for Mass the next day. Have someone clean up just before the singing ends and before the songs are practical for Mass. Be flexible, try to make it seem spontaneous, but don't let people get bored or sit around with nothing to do. Watch out for drinking. Have only about 2 beers per person. Bring the second round in much later that the first (not all at once). 11:15 - Night Prayers Comment on the divine office as the prayer of the Church. Compline with the examination of conscience on the Christian Growth card. After compline, without introducing him, have someone of the team (preferably the one who gave Being a Christian) pray spontaneous-ly and personally, summing up the attitudes and hopes of the moment. Pause to allow a chance for others to pray. Sing (still sitting) "Kumbaya" - Don't introduce or explain it, just start it. Kumbaya, my Lord, etc. You are here, my Lord, Kumbaya, etc. You are with us, Lord, Kumbaya, etc. You won't leave us, Lord, Kumbaya, etc. You are love, my Lord, Kumbaya, etc. We're your sons, my Lord, Kumbaya, etc. We are brother, Lord, Kumbaya, etc. Kumbaya, etc. (8 verses) Ask the priest to give his blessing. Remind them that they can pray in chapel and that there will be priests there. Suggest that sooner they go to bed the better. Tell them where they can talk if they don't want to go to bed right away. Ask them to be quite in the sleeping room. Wish them a good night. Make sure someone responsible (Asst. Leader?) stays around until most to go to sleep, to keep down pillow fights, etc. in the sleeping area. 11:45 - Bedtime - Meeting If a large number do not want to go to bed, make sure there are team members to talk with them. Have a meeting, at least with the priest. Go over the candidates with the team. If anyone is having a problem, assign someone to try to help him. Evaluate briefly the success of the day. Go over the next day's schedule briefly, especially the prayer meeting. Have someone be ready to start it off after a few minutes si-lence. Tell the rest to scatter themselves among the others in their praying. Stress the variety in the types of meditation (not one theme) Important themes, especially in the beginning: the presence of Christ, in the weekend and in the prayer meeting. Love of God, how good it is to be together in Christian community. For the second part, two team members should be next to the Leader, the first will pray for a short length of time, the other for a longer time. The team members should be sitting among the students. Stress the importance of not letting one theme develop. The person who gives the first meditation should remark on how good the weekend was for him and make his meditation some what personal. Remind them of the importance of saying goodbye after the weekend is over. Team members who are not at the meeting, should be comsulted and informed of the dicisions. 7:15 - The Leader gets up 7:30 - Rising Time Make sure everyone is getting up. Tell everyone that confession will be heard at 7:45, but not during Morning prayers. Morning prayer will be in the chapel. Arrange with Assistant Leader for giving the meditation on Mary. 8:00 - Meditation on Mary Sing: the Magnificat Tell them before the meditation there will be a chance to pray after it. The Leader and Assistant Leader should alternate in the reading. It should be read slowly, meditatively, with enough time in the pauses, but it should not drag. Sing: "Glory to God!" 8:15 - Breakfast Ask the priest to say grace if he does not begin. At the end, ask him to say the thanksgiving. 8:45 - Break Tell them to clean up everything possible, but to leave the mattresses (i.e. if the prayer meeting will be there later.) Tell them that it is a chance to take care of problems. Remind them that there is time to pray. Ask to see the table leader again; remind them to their func-tions. Remind the person assigned to pray during the talk. 9:00 - The Church and the World Sing (stand): their choice Relax today, cooperate - How well things work is up to you. Take each thing as it comes and get the World and on the Church's mission. Remind them to take notes; remind them that they can stand to keep awake. Introduce the speaker. Give them 2 - 3 minutes to think about the talk when it is fin-ished. Close with a prayer if the speaker does not; ending with: "Mary, Mother of the Church". 9:45 - Discussions Tell them to pick people for the summaries who did not give them on Saturday. Ask them not to leave the table at the beginning of the discus-sions. Ask: What is the Church? How can it solve the world's problems? Warm them about 5 minutes before the end. Get envelopes for the money talk. 10:30 - Break The money talk Should pay $? minus their deposit Don't have to pay if they cannot If they have more, a contribution is welcome: (it is uncertain if expenses can be met) Get next team to do dishes Tell them which priests are available and where, for confession or counseling (mention both) Urge Volleyball. Remind the person assigned to pray during the talk. 11:00 - Mission Stand and sing: their choice Tell them the reason people are gone before their talks and after their talks is that they are praying. Before the pray for God' s help, that He will use their words to bring His message; after-wards, they thank Him for His help. Tell them that the reason one person is gone during the talks is that he is in the chapel praying for the success of the talk - backing up the speaker. Draw the picture, saying that this talk will center on our role in God's work of drawing the world to Himself. Introduce the speaker. Give them 2 - 3 minutes to think starting the discussion. Close with a prayer, ending with: Mary, Queen of Apostles. 11:45 - Discussion Ask: How can we fulfill our mission, especially now on campus? Check on Mass preparations the reader the server the commentary before Warn them about 5 minutes before the end. 12:30 - Mass Explain the Mass, including the embrace at the kiss of peace (I Thess. 5:26 - an old Christian custom) During the Mass lead the responses and the standing, sitting, kneeling. 1:30 - Dinner Sing grace: the last three verses of Ps. 22: "My Shepherd is the Lord" Ask the priest to say the thanksgiving. 2:15 - Break Remind the person assigned to pray during the next talk. 2:30 - Following Christ Stand and sing: their choice Draw the picture, saying that this talk will consider what we must become and how we find our place in the mission of Church. Introduce the speaker. Give them 2 - 3 minutes to think before starting the discussion. Close a with a prayer; ending: Mary, throne of wisdom. 3:15 - Discussion Ask: what does God need men for now? How can I decide what He wants of me? Put out apostolic materials Warn them 5 minutes before the end. 4:00 - Break Tell them about the apostolic materials and that they are free. Tell them to take the first 10 minutes or so to: 1. pray, making a real commitment to Christ. 2. Think over and fill out their cards. 3. Talk with the priests. Then, do the dishes and play volleyball. Remind the person assigned to pray during the next talk. Start reminding the team about the prayer meeting. 4:45 - Working for Christ Sing: (standing) their choice Draw the picture saying that this talk will explain what we can do to persevere in growth as apostles. Introduce the speaker. Close talk with a prayer; ending: Mary, help of Christians. 5:30 - Discussions Tell them to take each thing as it comes; the AWE is not over, even though the talks are. Tell them to listen to the team members at the tables who will lead the discussions. Warn them 5 minutes before the end. 6:00 - Supper Sing grace Ask the priest to say the thanksgiving. 6:30 - Reports Sing what they want Give them 5 minutes to get their reports ready Reverse the order of the tables for giving reports Remind them not to take too long or to comment on the speakers Make sure the lights are ready for the prayer meeting (low). Make sure no one notices the lights being dimmed, if at all possible. 7:15 - The Prayer Meeting Gather them in an informal circle among the mattresses. Sing: "God is Love" Have them sit. Introduce the Prayer Meeting Explain that the passage you are about to read occurred after the Ascension. Read: Acts 1:12-14 After reading it point out: that they were living together, much like here that they were living together, with one mind Read: Acts 2:1-5 Point out that it was while they were living together and praying together that the Holy Spirit came to them. Say that the passage you are about to read is prediction of and explanation of what happened at Pentecost. Read: John 14:15-24 (omit v. 22) After reading it, point out that God's Spirit is among us, that we are living in the Trinity (all three persons are living with us) If this is so, we should share together, pray together, live our Christian lives in common: the sharing of Brothers in Christ. Explain the first part of the prayer meeting: It is the sharing of something from the mystery of Christ, from Christian living. An experience, an insight into Christ or Chris-tianity, a passage from the Bible, anything like that. If you have trouble thinking of something to share, use the question from the group: what moment this week did you feel closest to Christ - share that. It is not a discussion, there is no one topic or theme. There may be periods of silence. Each of us should make some contribution; share with the rest. For the second part; just kneel down and talk to Christ. Take part, sincerely, with a desire to share. Say the prayer to the Holy Spirit. Say "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Watch how many pray; try to wait until all the candidates say something, without waiting overly long; do not be afraid of fairly long pauses. At the second part: tell them that you will pass a Bible around, and when they get it, they will have a chance to talk to Christ. Start with a prayer that includes a thanskgiving for being to-gether and expresses confidence in Christ who will help when something is hard. Watch that everyone gets the Bible; if someone is passed by, discreetly see that he gets it. After the priest at the end prays, sing: "Glory to God, Glory!" 8:30 - The Summary Ask the priest to give a closing comment (final remarks and exhortation) The Leader's closing remarks: 1. We hope that you've enjoyed this weekend, Christianity should be a joy. 2. Can it last? The exuberant joy you feel is a special grace to help in making decisions. It will go, but if your presevere, use the card, live in the Christian community, an even deeper joy will last and grow. 3. Why Antioch Weekend? Read Acts 11:19-26 The passage describes a community of Christians that was so living the Christian life that people noticed Christ. The same has been true here. (Don't give the impression that they or others aren't Christians without the Antioch Week end.) Introduce the team; be sure to put in a word for the janitors and anyone who did special work. Sing: "We Shall Overcome." After "We'll walk hand in hand..." join hands in a circle. Have them greet one another before leaving. Last minute cleaning up. 9:30 - Evaluation Meeting A. Prayer to the Holy Spirit B. Try to evaluate its effect on each person from the standpoint of what should be done for him in follow-up. C. Evaluate the weekend as a whole (suggestions for improvement) D. Check on follow-up E. Visit with prayer by everyone |
|||||
|
|
|
|||||