Office of Evangelization will offer its first-ever retreat in Indy on Nov. 8

(En Espanol)
 

By Natalie Hoefer

In its continuing effort to assist the parishes of central and southern Indiana, the archdiocesan Office of Evangelization will offer its first-ever retreat—in separate English and Spanish tracks—at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Nov. 8.

“The Great Story of Jesus Evangelization Retreat” will familiarize participants with the Church’s proclamation: that Christ came for our salvation and calls all to encounter and follow him in the Church.

Through videos, explanations, discussion and time for reflection and prayer, several topics will be explored during the course of the day: God’s desire for a personal relationship with each person; why Christ came and why it matters to you personally; responding in faith to Christ’s call to follow him; and overcoming obstacles that hinder that response.

“People in the pews are sometimes confused when you ask them, ‘Are you a disciple?’ ” says Anita Bardo, archdiocesan coordinator of evangelization and discipleship.

“I want people to walk away from this retreat with a sense that it’s OK to share the good news, that it’s OK to step out of that comfort zone and be able to share your faith and your faith story.”

Bardo’s primary role with the archdiocese is to assist parishes in central and southern Indiana in their efforts to form parishioners as evangelizing disciples.

“In addition to working directly with parishes, we offer a workshop in April and host deanery gatherings,” says Bardo.

“But I wanted to create another way of walking with people who attend those workshops and meetings—and anyone who is interested in evangelization, really, because we all evangelize in everything that we do.”

The retreat will be offered in English by Katherine Coolidge, who co-authored the retreat material for the Colorado-based Catherine of Siena Institute, which helps parishes with the apostolic formation of lay Catholics.

“They do fantastic retreats,” Bardo says of the institute, which was co-founded by Sherry Waddell, author of Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus.

In fact, the retreat is based on a section of that book called “The Great Story of Jesus in Nine Acts for Post-Modern People.”

Tomas Evans, director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Orlando, Fla., will present the retreat in Spanish.

“Whether you’re a ministry leader, a young adult, a priest, a catechist, a parent, a grandparent—anyone seeking to deepen their faith and bring others to Christ—this retreat is for you,” says Bardo.

“We want you to feel empowered that you have the ability to change someone’s life by leading them to Christ, whether it’s a family member or someone out in the community.

“We want you to be inspired by your mission to evangelize,” she added.

Participants are invited to arrive between 8:30-9 a.m. for hospitality. The $35 cost for the retreat, which includes lunch, will be assessed to each participant’s parish after the event.

The deadline to register is Oct. 27.

To register, go to tinyurl.com/2025EvangRetreat. For more information about the retreat, contact Anita Bardo at 317-236-1466 or abardo@archindy.org. †