So much change has happened in our diocese in the past three years.
Aside from a global pandemic, we in the Diocese of Madison have taken much time and effort to refocus our work in parishes and schools on the Great Commission, “Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19).
We have seen Go Make Disciples permeate all areas of our parishes, including parish staff and school faculty.
For many years, staff members and Catholic school faculty have taken time out of their busy schedules to focus on learning more about our Catholic faith.
Since 2009, the Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute has offered a pathway to form parish and school faculty in Catholic identity and doctrinal content.
As a part of the efforts of Go Make Disciples, the formation of our Catholic school teachers has shifted to include a retreat day each year called Metanoia.
Metanoia retreats are meant to offer a day away for formation, personal reflection, and prayer; to engage the head and the heart as an integral part of formation.
The term metanoia is a Greek word that St. Paul uses in the New Testament when he advises the young Christian Churches that he is apprenticing, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you might know the will of God.” (Romans 12:2).
Paul was addressing a young and fledgling Church that was confronted with living the message of Christ in a godless world.
It seems appropriate in our cultural context of 2023 to look to Paul and the Apostles as examples of sharing the Gospel.
It is the intention of the Diocese of Madison to offer our parish and school staff personal spiritual opportunities as well as theological and doctrinal content through these Metanoia retreats.
This year, Catholic school faculty are using their time on Metanoia retreats to unpack the message of the Eucharist as a response of the faith to the kerygma — the Good News of the Gospel.
As the United States bishops have instructed as part of the Eucharistic Revival, we are focused on the Eucharist as the way we offer thanksgiving to our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Metanoia retreat days include dynamic talks, small groups, testimonies, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, and Mass.
Metanoia retreats are now being offered to parishes as an opportunity to assist them in their work of Go Make Disciples.
If your parish is interested in hosting a Metanoia retreat day, contact the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis at [email protected]