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10 Bright Stars
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Joined: Nov 16 2006
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Aug 03 2007 at 3:24pm | IP Logged
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Hi all,
My husband and I plan on taking a trip over the Christmas holiday this year, and we thought it might be a nice idea to have a spiritual retreat for the kids and ourselves. We thought we could do something formal each day, throughout the day, to focus on Christ during this season, as opposed to all the consumeristic things that usually tend to demand all of our time and attention.
My questions are:
1. Does anyone know of a program for doing a spiritual retreat with your own family for varied age groups? (ages 2-12) I thought I remembered CHC carrying a few, or maybe that book "My Spiritual Journey"? Does anyone own these and can you review them in light of this situation?
2. I wanted to incorporate crafts and activities for the little ones, along a theme, that sort of led to a build up or finale of some sort with all of us re-dedicating ourselves to Christ and starting the new year fresh and refocused. Any ideas here?
3. Has any one done this before, and if so, what do you do, and how did it turn out? We will be out of state, so I will not be at home with all the normal conveniences, so my husband wants me to have it all planned out in advance and take whatever I may need with us. Any creative ideas here?
So, I guess we are just trying to refocus as a family. We have had a difficult year with morning sickness plagued pregnancy, husband working two jobs, TWINS! (enough said) and we feel as if we are just sort of wandering and want to get back on track as a family, so we thought we could take a focused approach over Christmas instead of getting wrapped up (no pun intended  ) with all the presents and stress that seems to have overtaken us during this time of year.
So, I knew as soon as he mentioned this to me, and told me, "Well, you have 5 months to get it together and plan it" that I would ask you all! SO, HELP!! Please!!! 
__________________
Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
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10 Bright Stars
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| Posted: Aug 03 2007 at 3:25pm | IP Logged
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Oops,  the book I was wanting to ask about is titled, "My Path to Heaven", not the spiritual journey one. DOes anyone own this, and would it be appropriate to use for this idea???
__________________
Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
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nicole-amdg
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Joined: April 16 2007
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Aug 03 2007 at 4:17pm | IP Logged
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I have the book, but I haven't used it yet. You probably know already that it's based on St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises. On the back cover is a small note:
"My Path to Heaven is best for children ages 9 to 12, but even nonreaders can enjoy the rich illustrations."
It's meant to be covered in no less than 12 days, and I believe St. Thomas Aquinas Academy uses it in the fourth grade for the whole year. The pictures are really detailed black and white illustrations by Caryll Houselander--the directives/directions put me in mind of a very structured, spiritually oriented picture study. I'm sure that's simplistic--it looks wonderful--hopefully someone with actual experience will be able to answer better!
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Nicole
Wife to 
Mom to     
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missionfamily
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| Posted: Aug 03 2007 at 10:44pm | IP Logged
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It is wonderful and we use it with the kids at our monthly adoration hour. When we take some time to retreat, we use a format we learned from some dear friends. If we usually discuss some specific things we are parying about and for ahead of time. Then for three days we meet for morning, afternoon, and evening prayer. At each time, a different family member brings Scripture to share or a quote from a saint or story, etc...or a specific intention God has placed on his/her heart and leads the family in praying. Then we all share a bit about what we think God was saying to our family in the chosen prayer. When we do it, dh takes morning prayer, I take evenings, and the kids take the afternoon. I am always surprised and amazed athow much we learn about one another and what God is doing in our hearts as well as how we always end feeling resolved, renewed, and one in Spirit. Hope that helps.
__________________
Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce
Footprints on the Fridge
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Spiritual retreat for your own children
