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Immaculate Conception's first Christ Renews His Parish renewal weekends for women and men were held in March 2012. Since that date, there have been annual renewal weekends for women and men in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Each year the number of participants has grown as more and more parishioners decided to renew their faith relationship with God.
The fact that the vast majority of those that participated in the Christ Renews His Parish renewal experiences to date have committed their time and talent to presenting the subsequent IC Christ Renews His Parish renewal experience to the next group that follow in their footsteps is a wonderful testimony to the entire Christ Renews His Parish experience.
You are about to view heart felt testimonials from both the women's and men's Christ Renews His Parish groups from previous weekends. Given the tremendous confidence each individual has in their respective teams, the thoughts you are about to read are typical of the faith sharing that each participant experienced over the course of their personal faith journey.
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Testimonials from previous IC Women's Renewal Weekends
- From a 2012 women's renewal weekend participant:
"The CRHP weekend allowed me to meet with many other women of great faith. The weekend was filled with prayer, music and activities that allowed us all to practice our faith and become closer to God!"
From a 2012 women's renewal weekend participant:
"I was originally drawn to CRHP as an opportunity for deepening my own personal spirituality. It turned out to be that and so much more! Praying together, sharing stories and supporting each other as a parish, instead of a journey alone have been immeasurable gifts." Loretta Kalina
From a 2012 women's renewal weekend participant:
"CRHP was a wonderful experience. Each formation session was a chance to share with the other women in the group. My faith became deeper thanks to the group discussions and people feeling open to share their faith experiences. The renewal weekend was the high point of the year as each member was able to share their faith journey with others. The whole CRHP experience has enabled me to face the challenges of life and know that God is always with me." Donna Campbell
From a 2012 women's renewal weekend participant:
My IC CRHP experience gave me a deeper understanding of my faith and the truth of being part of the Body of Christ right here in our parish. It also created a joyful connection with spiritual, caring women. It has enriched my life and strengthened my desire to continue to be part of our growing, thriving faith community.
From a 2013 women's renewal weekend participant:
"Going to CRHP was a wonderful gift! Allowing oneself the time to reflect, share and deepen their faith in a community of women was a true blessing."
From a 2013 women's renewal weekend participant:
"My time on IC's CRHP retreat left me with an overwhelming sense of peace. That peace has stayed with me and has affected different aspects of my daily life. I had the opportunity to meet other women from our parish that I have never known and renew/deepen friendships with women that I have known. CRHP has been a unique opportunity to allow my faith roots in the IC parish community to be enlivened and to grow. I highly recommend the CRHP weekend."
From a 2013 women's renewal weekend participant:
"The 2013 CRHP Renewal was very spiritual throughout the weekend! The speakers, songs, activities and other participants helped me to feel closer to Christ!"
From a 2013 women's renewal weekend participant:
"CRHP was a wonderful weekend of sharing and growing in faith with such a warm, welcoming group of women...who are now true friends. Thank you:)" Gabrielle Wood
From a 2013 women's renewal weekend participant:
"This is how I am inspired through my CHRP experiences. The best part of being Catholic is being covered in a warm blanket of tradition, Canon, Doctrine and Dogma while lined with the Holy Spirit grace shared in the Body of Christ. The air surrounding the inner lining of the Catholic cover is renewed in us as we discern our gifts and the gifts of others within the Body of Christ.
Through CRHP, I met women where I would not have expected, close to their spirit as they shared each of their spiritual journeys. I have friends now who I can see Christ and share Christ in and with them. I see each of them as part of my family in Christ." Lucy Millar
From a 2016 women's renewal weekend participant:
"God placed CRHP in my life when I exactly needed to find it. It was a weekend that I was able to pause, reflect, grow my relationship with God and meet some amazing women. I am so excited to help others feel like I did when the weekend was over – completely fulfilled with love and reminded that God is always there for us. Just listen to that voice in your ear.”
From a 2016 women's renewal weekend participant:
“I learned how blessed I am and how much I must do to help others along the way to learn about the cause for my joy: Jesus Christ and his Church.”
From a 2016 women's renewal weekend participant:
"CRHP was a unique opportunity that brought together women in their 20's, to their 80's, who are all members of our church that I would not have otherwise met. We laughed a little, we cried a lot, and we were humbled as we listened and learned from each other's life journeys and experiences."
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Testimonials from previous IC Men's Renewal Weekends
- From a 2012 men's renewal weekend participant:
"During my renewal weekend, I found faith sharing with other men much easier than anticipated. After going thru 12 months of formation and putting on the 2013 weekend, I am convinced that CRHP has changed my life. No one knows what lies ahead for any of us, but having a group of CRHP brothers on my side is going to make the journey much more enjoyable. I hope you are able to experience a CRHP renewal weekend soon. If you have any questions, please send me an email ([email protected]) and we will connect." - Dave McCaffrey
From a 2012 men's renewal weekend participant:
"I really enjoyed the entire CRHP process. The renewal weekend was a great start to begin deepening my relationship with God. I found the formation process to be a very comfortable way to share my faith with my fellow CRHP brothers. I really felt like I learned a lot about my faith listening to the insights from the other members of my team. To be able to help lead the next renewal weekend was a wonderful opportunity and personally rewarding experience. I would encourage anyone considering this program to take the leap of faith and join." - Jack Campbell
From a 2013 men's renewal weekend participant:
"The 2013 men's weekend retreat was a wonderful and comfortable way to renew my spirit and faith with IC. The investment of my time was well spent. I also established some new relationships here. I highly recommend it to all IC members as a great refresher." - M. Kennedy
From a 2013 men's renewal weekend participant:
"My CRHP weekend was a powerful force in my life. Up to this point I have been a spectator with regard to my religion. The CRHP retreat awakened my soul. I was so impressed by the leaders and the content, e.g., the stories, the witness, the prayers, the music ... every part of it was inspirational. I loved the fellowship shared with my retreat-mates too. Simply put, it was life-changing."
From a 2013 men's renewal weekend participant:
"I left the CRHP renewal weekend with a deeper sense of peace, a greater appreciation of our faith and a new perspective on our faith community."
From a 2013 men's renewal weekend participant:
"I found the CRHP renewal weekend to be a perfect introduction into the formation process which follows. While each of us is on our own journey, there are so many benefits to sharing our personal life and faith experiences, and realizing that others are making their way toward a common, shared destination. All of us are seeking a closer relationship with our Lord. It is easier when we feel like part of a group, a team."
From a 2013 men's renewal weekend participant:
"It is amazing to me that after 8 years of Catholic grade school, 1 year of Catholic high school, and 4 years of Catholic college I would know so little about my faith and feel so disconnected from God. But that's where I was ... until I attended the CRHP retreat. I am still a work-in-progress but CRHP gave me strength and insight. It opened my eyes, ears, and heart to the Bible. It was that right first step for me to re-engage with my faith, and in a comfortable, welcoming environment with other men of the parish. I highly recommend it!" - Vince V
From a 2013 men's renewal weekend participant:
"I found the CRHP renewal weekend to be a perfect introduction into the formation process which follows. While each of us is on our own journey, there are so many benefits to sharing our personal life and faith experiences, and realizing that others are making their way toward a common, shared destination. All of us are seeking a closer relationship with our Lord. It is easier when we feel like part of a group, a team."
From a 2014 men's renewal weekend participant:
"I had a tremendous experience. I was comfortable with all the guys and listening to them in their journeys' made me realize that I am not alone - either in my spiritual or life experiences. I know that Our Father loves us, but it's not something I delve enough on. Two things stand out from this week end, I am not alone - and Love Hurts, but after all the sadness, I honestly believe comes the "Gladness" God bless these guys and I hope to continue along with them. God Bless You and your Lovely Bride Rita for introducing me to this great experience" - Jim Collins
From a 2014 men's renewal weekend participant:
"Because I had experienced a similar retreat to CRHP, I came into my weekend knowing what it entailed. My hope in entering the weekend was that I would be nourished in my faith and get to know other parishioners who shared my (our) faith. My hope was 110% (and more) fulfilled. I got to know people I had never met before and to know better people I had already known, in a much deeper way. As one of the team put it, we could talk about real things. And, in one area of my life, I had a breakthough that I never expected. I hope to be on this next year’s team to nourish my faith, get to know my “teammates” better and introduce others to God’s love.Thank you for a wonderful weekend." - Don Gimbel
From a 2014 men's renewal weekend participant:
"In recent years, I have not been as active in the church as when my kids were younger. As I begin the second half of my life, I realized I needed a spirituality health check. The CHRP retreat weekend revitalized me in many ways and helped to put me on journey of renewing my faith. The weekend was presented in a welcoming, warm, nonjudgmental and pleasant fashion that would appeal anyone looking to reconnect or just strengthen their relationship with God and church. The hardest part was actually taking the step to sign up… and I’m glad I did." - Paul Darley
From a 2014 men's renewal weekend participant:
"As so many of us find ourselves struggling with the challenges of every day life, we often find that our relationship with God is not where we would like it to be. CRHP was a fantastic means for uniting men who have the desire to renew our spirituality and strengthen our faith in Christ but who need guidance in doing so. The formation team provided a soothing and non-judgmental environment to promote thoughtful dialogue on faith and spirituality, topics which are often difficult for men to discuss. CRHP has personally given me an inner peace that I have not known in years, and has provided direction to what I hope to be a long and wonderful journey." - Rob Amann
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