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Why go on an ACTS retreat? Well, I went because my wife did first, as well as some men I knew, and I saw that they not only developed a greater sense of spirituality but a greater appreciation of our St. Joe's community as well. I had been going to a men's prayer group and a Christian businessmen's lunch on a weekly basis, but this was with men from a different parish and other denominations. I didn't have friends at St. Joe's with whom I felt I could discuss my faith, spirituality or ask to pray for me. That has changed since my Spring '04 retreat. I now feel spiritually close to many at St. Joe's. You see, it's not just about you or me, it's about community, family. We weren't made to fly alone. We are made in HIS image and for all to share in HIS family or flock. And that family is more than your immediate biological family, but your church family as well.

I believe enough in the ACTS retreat that I have participated in two more ACTS retreats as a team member. As part of the team, you get to experience the retreat all over again but from a different perspective. But you can't be on team unless you go as a retreatant first. Two more things, this experience has ignited in me a quest to study our Catholic faith, which as a "cradle" Catholic, I failed to do in the past. I now have a much greater appreciation of our traditions and of the Mass itself. And my wife and I have grown closer together in our Lord. We are praying together and have a much stronger bond as Christ is the center of our lives.

You were led to St. Joseph's Parish, to this website and to this message. So why wait any longer? Go for it. Join a great group of men who will become your brothers for life.
- Jim Gissy
Spring 2004

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I have often reflected on the subject of what made my ACTS Retreat in October 2002 so memorable, so very personal. I enjoy a long history of Ignatian Retreats, (40 years at White House - St Louis Jesuit Retreat Center), so making the ACTS Retreat, I did not think my history could be topped, but was I ever surprised!

As I review the personal results of the two retreats, I can readily see a great difference in the two experiences. I now understand that the ACTS Retreat experience is a very personal, yet community experience. In closed (Ignatian) Retreats, you review your personal experiences, as the Holy Spirit reveals your history and your needs to you.

In the ACTS experience, the Holy Spirit provides the comfort zone of knowing you are not alone - other men and women share the same experience, history, problems, anxiety, desires, needs and the need to be forgiven.

This realization changed how I looked at my daily life and now I am very reflective on how the beatitude personally affect my decisions day to day in my everyday and my spiritual life of the parish.
- Bob Buehrle
Fall 2002

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Recently, while I was at Mass, I believe it was 11:00 Mass at St. Joe's...during the sign of Peace, the man in the pew in front of me turned to greet me. I had gotten to know him from going on the ACTS retreat and serving on another ACTS retreat team. When he saw and recognized me he smiled broadly and we warmly exchanged peace greetings. As I turned to greet those in the pew behind me, I recognized another man with whom I had served on an ACTS team, we also greeted each other warmly as friends do.

While this is one small example of how the ACTS experience has impacted me, I feel it represents how the Parish life is different for me. I firmly believe that I would have never gotten to know either of these gentlemen had it not been for ACTS. And there are many other friendships I have today with other parish men. Before my involvement with ACTS, I got to know the parents of my children's friends, soccer teammates or maybe some folks I served with on Sausage Supper. Some of those are great friends, but now I have gotten to know men of the Parish in many different age groups and many different circles beyond my own. And I feel this is just the beginning.

I have been (and am still being) changed in many ways as my sense of faith grows. But one thing is certain; the Parish of St. Joseph's has a deeper meaning to me today.

- Mark Stephens
Fall 2003

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I am a "cradle Catholic", born to Catholic parents and educated in Catholic schools through high school. I have lived in St. Joseph parish since 1976. While I had a fairly typical bout with independence as a young adult, I have always considered myself a good Catholic, attending Mass on Sundays and observing the commandments; on the other hand, at times I was somewhat of a "closet Catholic", not always appreciating what a wonderful gift our faith is.

I made my ACTS retreat in November, 2005 and had no idea what to expect. I was casually acquainted with one other retreatant and a couple of the ACTS team members, but not really a close friend of anybody there. There was a span of over 40 years age difference within the group, and that diversity definitely enriched the experience. I would describe the ACTS retreat as a workshop for something that we all want and need - love, not as an act or choice but as part of our DNA, giving love and receiving love. It was a very powerful experience that, no doubt, affected each participant in unique ways. I can say that I consider all of the retreatants and the ACTS team as true friends and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

- John Crotty
Fall 2005

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I was born and raised Catholic. I went to PSR until the 6th Grade. I did not have an adult's understanding of the faith for decades. I have been a parishioner at St. Joe's since 1990. I began teaching PSR 4 years before ACTS. I was more involved with the community at the Parish. I thought I knew where I was going. ACTS did not seem like the road I needed to be on.

Who were all these guys hugging one another? OK, I don't want anything to do with this group. But I know some of these guys, they're okay. No, I don't really want to do this. I'm comfortable right where I am at. Going on ACTS, for me was like going from a two lane, lightly traveled road at about 30 mph to the Autobahn going about 80 mph. My faith journey had kicked into high gear and became much more intense.

My March 2004 ACTS retreat was an extraordinary experience. If not for the love of others, I probably would not have gone. These brothers and sisters coaxed me into a weekend where I was able to have a deep, personal relationship with Christ. The weekend kicked my faith up "another notch". Joy, Awe, and Wonder - - like a child at Christmas at the Spiritual gifts given by the Father. It has been an amazing journey since then. Invest a few hours . . . get a glimpse at what is really important - - Relationships, Community, Eternal Life.
- Jeff Bunten
Spring 2004

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Birthday Gift: I turn 40 this year. This is not an event I have been looking forward to. With this angst layered over an unhealthy dose of job stress and the normal aches and pains of daily life, the last thing I wanted to do was open a birthday present early. In fact it took a whole lot of prayers and coaxing from friends and family - led by my wife who attended the first Women's ACTS retreat - to convince me that I should.

The gift actually turned out to be a re-gift. Something my parents gave me years ago. I remember being excited to receive it the first time, but as the years passed it didn't feel comfortable, didn't fit quite right, went out of style. So I packed it away and forgot about it. When I finally opened it, all the old joy and excitement came flooding back - and it fit perfectly. The gift was my faith and I opened it on the Men's ACTS retreat this November.

And so I have a birthday wish for you, that you open your heart to the Holy Spirit, attend an ACTS retreat and rediscover your faith. If you get a gift that is even a fraction of what I received you'll never regret it. I don't.
- Alec Blanc
Fall 2005

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I attended my ACTS Retreat in November 2004 and again in May 2005 as a member of the ACTS team. Before my first retreat, I was on the fence for a while wondering if I would get bored or if I would have to participate in something I was uncomfortable doing. Neither was the case. It was a great experience and a time for me to assess where I was and to reassess my priorities. Now, I don't want to go back to the time when an hour on Sunday was the only time I had for God. I see Mass now as an opportunity rather than an obligation. I don't want to go back to when the only time I prayed was when I was in trouble. I now make time for prayer daily. I don't want to go back to the time when I sat in a crowd of hundreds of people at Mass but I didn't know any of them - even though we had been in the parish since 1985. Now at every Mass I see people I know and know well enough to consider them friends. For anyone that is on the fence, I would encourage them to "just do it". I truly believe that whether someone is young or old, or whether someone has been in the parish 30 days or 30 years, they will find it to be a rewarding experience.
- Jim Dolan
Fall 2004

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I was able to make my ACTS retreat in April at LaSalle...and with a 23 year gap between retreats I was Searching for something, but not really sure what. As in all retreats, the retreatants are told that the Spirit will be present for the retreat. I didn't begin to imagine the magnitude to which the Spirit would be moving. Not only does the Spirit move within you individually, but through the structure of the weekend, the Spirit is able to freely move within the group setting. This allows for open dialogues between yourself and others, yourself and yourself, and yourself and GOD...

All three dialogues are encouraged, and even unexpected at times. The weekend is one that should not be missed by anyone. If you are a regularly practicing Catholic, a "recovering" Catholic, a 60 minute Catholic, or even a Searching Soul, the weekend will provide you with a direct connection to your Community, your true self, and your GOD.

It is a weekend that I will not forget, and encourage all who can, and even those who think they can't to participate in this awakening of the Spirit, and your place in GOD'S Plan.
- Bill Ebbesmeyer
Spring 2005

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My decision to make the ACTS retreat was to try to meet more of the parishioners. I've been a parishioner of St Joseph's since 1985 and knew very few people - neither of our children were active in sports at St. Joseph, my wife was involved with Vacation Bible School and other activities at Church, but I was not.

I did get the opportunity to meet the men of St. Joseph while on the retreat, but it was only the beginning. I have attended Mass on a regular basis since the children were born, I read the Lectionary on a regular basis, but I did not know a lot about the Catholic Faith. I could not even remember saying the rosary. I learned more of the gifts of the Holy Sprit in three days than I had in a lifetime.

Since the retreat, I have become a better parishioner, I attend Mass daily instead of just reading the scriptures. I pray the rosary. I have also become a better husband and father.
Pretty good deal, when all I wanted was to meet a few people.

- Steve Aul
Fall 2005

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I have been a member of St. Joseph's Parish since 1966. I have watched the parish grow from a near-rural status to its present state of 2800 plus families and nearly 10,000 members. During this dramatic growth it has been all but impossible to repeat the close relationships I shared as a young man in Resurrection of Our Lord Parish. I had all but given up when along came the ACTS retreat.

As a retreatant it was an awesome experience. I had never gone on a retreat that had such a mixture of silence, participation, adoration and prayerful use of the sacramental. During the three nights and three days I grew to know men just like me and we really began to understand our faith and love in God.

As a team member I got to watch first hand the presence of the Holy Spirit in the faces of the retreatants and the subsequent transformation. We are now part of a "family" and pray together in small groups; many of us go to Mass on a daily basis --- for the first time I understand what being a brother in Christ means.
- Don Reitmeyer
Fall 2004

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In one weekend (March 2004) I was given a great opportunity to meet with fellow members of St. Joseph and learn more about my faith and its meaning in my life. It was a potent mix of solemn Adoration, expanded Community dialog, instructive Theology and brought out (in all of us) a Service to others attitude... hence ACTS. I highly recommend the ACTS retreat and program to others as an event with no BS and a renewed understanding of our Catholic faith. You just need to make the commitment! It would be great to see you at the next retreat!

- Greg Tate
Spring 2004

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I would like to share with you some of my thoughts and experiences regarding the men's retreat I attended this November with the other men from St. Joseph and Sacred Heart parishes. This was my fist men's retreat at St. Joe's and has been very special to me.
LaSalle is a very special place where you can get away from the distractions of the world, to be recharged and renewed, and grow in faith or to develop a new love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This year's theme was "Well done my faithful servant, come share your Master's joy". Joy is a particularly appropriate topic, as we tend to focus on our daily struggles and problems leaving little time to experience the joy in our lives.
The conferences, workshops, prayer services and liturgy were excellent. Additionally, there was opportunity for quiet time, personal reflection and prayer.
It is truly amazing to see the change that can occur during a matter of just a few days. Some of us arrived with tremendous burdens, stress and even apprehension about being there. This was clearly evident in the faces, posture, and overall demeanor of the men. However, by the time we prepared to leave on Sunday we were all filled with a peace and joy that only can be acquired through the grace of God through his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I believe that it is extremely important for men to establish relationships and friendships with other Christian men. Men need other men to share their lives beyond the usual shallow discussions of sports, business and the weather. With our new found friendships we can share our personal and common struggles, pray for one another, and support one another.
Our families, our church, and our community need men like us who are willing to show that they are Jesus' disciples.

I look forward to participating in A.C.T.S retreats in the future.

- Doug Westerfield
Fall 2005

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I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting when I made my ACTS weekend (September 2002). But I remember thinking, "This is like no retreat I've ever been on in my life." Right from the start, I was overwhelmed by the extraordinary generosity of the two dozen men who'd come from San Antonio to present the retreat. And as the weekend unfolded, there was one surprise after another: Soul-stirring music. Heartfelt talks. Newfound friendship - in some cases, with men I'd known for many years.

But as grace-filled as that weekend was, for me the true joy came a few months later when Gerri made her ACTS retreat in February 2003. What a gift it was, to rediscover each other after 24 years of marriage…and to find both the words and the opportunity to bring Jesus back into our relationship! In a lot of ways, ACTS provided a fresh start for our marriage - one that we didn't even know we wanted, or needed. It was the best kind of surprise: Jesus making good on his promise that "…gifts will be given to you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing, poured into your lap!" (Luke 6:38)
- John Schroeder
Fall 2002

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My ACTS retreat in October 2003 was a very powerful experience in that being a Catholic all of my 67 years, there was a wholesome feeling that we are all so different in so many ways and that we all have the same Holy Spirit to lead us and our Church, in also so many different ways - all for the glory of God and our share in that glory, including adoration and service for Him. The time spent on the retreat takes us from the worldly world and into a spiritual awareness that we are all loved and special to God. Also the ACTS staff and our Priests take such a genuine effort that anyone who attends an ACTS retreat will certainly be glad that they attended.
- Dave Burke
Fall 2003

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Someone said … I'm paraphrasing here, "When things are going well in our lives, God whispers to us. When things are going badly, He shouts at us." By the time I heard about the ACTS retreat, He was shouting loudly and I thought I couldn't hear Him. But a part of me was listening. Because when I heard about the retreat…Steve Lucash made an announcement at a 9:15 Mass… I turned to Sharon and said, "I want to go to that." I guess she was surprised. I talked to Steve after the mass because, hell, I'm not even Catholic! He said it was okay so I got a signup form. I filled out the form and wrote out a check. Sharon dropped them off.

Sharon, Ann, Liz, and I moved to Ballwin from the Lafayette Square area in 2000. I had no knowledge or preconceived notions about the ACTS retreat. As the day approached, I had some minor trepidation about the retreat. I didn't know anyone and I had no idea what to expect. It turns out I knew one of the team members, Bob Depelheuer, great guy. Anyway, I figured, "What's the worst that can happen? I spend three days in the country looking at trees?" I work practically every day, so looking at trees sounded pretty good.

Everyone has their baggage. I guess I have my share. Who knows where you are in life or what you are bringing with you when you embark on such a journey. I know I was spiritually bereft during the year or so leading up to the retreat. I was not Catholic as I said. I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church. I attended Mass with my Catholic wife and our Catholic baptized children for quite some time. Though I was feeling increasingly comfortable at Mass, there was still something not quite right. I had misconceptions about the Church. For example, why shouldn't I be allowed to take communion?

Long story short, the retreat was a spiritual and intellectual awakening for me. It was like a crash course in Catholicism. Since the retreat I've been in the RCIA program at St. Joseph's and hope to be confirmed soon. The bond I have with the team members and the other retreatants would make the retreat worthwhile in itself. But more important than all that is Jesus was there. He was always with me and I didn't know it. Now I do. I went to the retreat expecting nothing and came away with everything.

- Rick Homire
Fall 2004

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I went on my ACTS Retreat because I was looking for help dealing with my problems. I had tried to deny that I had problems, work through them myself, even to escape from them...but they kept coming back.

The men who encouraged me to make the retreat had told me that the retreat had helped them and thought it would help me too. On the retreat, I unhooked my U-Haul trailer of problems that I had been dragging behind me and learned to live today to the best of my ability and ask for God's help doing it. With the love and support of my wife, my family and friends, and especially the ACTS Community at St Joseph's Parish, I have accepted God's good grace into my life and count on it everyday.

I promise you that you will find what you are looking for on your ACTS Retreat!
- Vic Jost
Spring 2003

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When does a gift become yours? The moment you receive it or the moment you open it?

What a blessing to have encountered the ACTS weekend! Admittedly, I attended for all the wrong reasons. I went solely to quiet the advocates "pushing" me into the retreat. I was extremely skeptical about whether this weekend would really do anything for me.

I liked who I was. I didn't think I needed a retreat or even had time for one. I thought the last thing I needed was to hang out all weekend with a bunch of ex-hippie, Kumbaya singing Jesus Freaks.

I quickly realized that there was much more to these men than the typical talk of sports, cars and home improvement. I realized that it was in the spirit of a faith community and when we share our hearts that Christ is really present!

I realized that, spiritually, I was a dead man called to come out of my grave. This was my walk to Emmaus! The retreat experience left me with the same burning desire the two disciples must have felt when they encountered Christ on the road to Emmaus.

Stepping out of my comfort zone and leaving all my responsibilities, pressures and distractions behind, I was finally able to be still long enough for the Holy Spirit to touch my heart. Christ gave me life when I was born into this world. I was given the gift of the Holy Spirit when I was baptized but it was only when I attended the ACTS retreat did I finally and fully open the gift from the Holy Spirit.

The gift of the Holy Spirit never really became mine until I opened it!
- Scott Milewski
Spring 2003

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I have been a parishioner at St. Joseph's since 1983, and I had attended more than a dozen annual retreats at the White House before making my first ACTS retreat in September, 2002. I always enjoy the White House retreats and still go there each year. But the ACTS experience has touched me in a completely different way than White House. Through ACTS, I have experienced the Holy Spirit working within our parish in new and amazing ways.

Before ACTS, most parishioners were just folks I "bumped into" at parish functions. Since ACTS (as a retreatant and as an ACTS Team Member) I have developed a newfound fellowship with these same parishioners and I have a deeper love and appreciation for my brothers and sisters in Christ. My understanding of the words "parish" and "church" have taken on new meaning. For this I am eternally grateful.

- Dan Donnelly
Fall 2002

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I have been raised Catholic since birth, and attended Catholic school from 5th to 12th grade. I have been a member of St. Joe's for 4 years. I made my last retreat as a senior in high school, but it did not do a lot for my spirituality. All I knew about my faith came from Rosary high school. Ironically, 2 years ago I still couldn't pray a rosary without reading some of it off paper!

Still, I considered myself a good practicing Catholic. I always enjoyed Mass but thought there must be more to our Catholic faith out there somewhere. I never would have guessed the spiritual turning point in my life would come a few miles from Manchester on an ACTS retreat.

The retreat from start to finish was a wonderful experience. It's been 18 months since my retreat and not a day goes by that I don't think of the experience, and what I have learned. The ACTS retreat has brought me closer to God. It has changed the way I approach everything in my life. GOD IS here with us. I just didn't comprehend what that meant until I spent some time with the men of ACTS out at La Salle. It's comforting to know how many prayerful men we have here at St. Joe's. They are even praying for you now while you thinking about signing up.

I hope you spend 3 days with our Lord on an ACTS retreat soon. I will always be thankful I did...you will too. Just go, start your journey.

- Bill McCormac
Spring 2004

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I attended the ACTS Retreat in March 2004 and would have to say that this was one of the best retreats I have been on. I volunteer at St. Joseph's as a CORE member for LIFETeen and of all the retreats I have helped out with; it was very nice to be attended to by the Holy Spirit in the retreatant aspect instead of leading the retreat through the Holy Spirit. Not only was it a time for myself but a time to get to know those brothers in our community (of all ages) and share with one another the best and only thing in our lives that keeps us moving and searching for more: CHRIST!

I can't explain everything that happened that weekend, but I do know one thing and that is the power of the Holy Spirit and how it was overwhelming that weekend and continues to be in my life each and every day. What an awesome feeling to share with and see brothers throughout our community find Christ again or maybe even for the first time as well as myself. For those of you contemplating about going on the retreat, I recommend you see for yourself and GUARANTEE you will not be disappointed.
- Jim Bajzath
Spring, 2004

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Here is my ACTS story: I have just returned from my 4th (or is it 5th) ACTS retreat. One thing I realized on this "mission team" to get St. Gabriel's ACT's movement started in their parish is that ACTS is the "gift that just keeps on giving" each time I experience a retreat! Each time I'm on team I think this will be just like the last but it just never is! ACTS is always a unique experience even when you know what is coming next. I am constantly surprised by the work of the Holy Spirit. No matter what I do to prepare for being on team, the Holy Spirit surprises me and the team with the mystery of His works! One time when we were outside during a high cold wind waiting for the retreatants to walk by, the door opened and the retreatants came out and the wind just stopped and it was completely calm for the time needed for the retreatants to go outside from one side of the building to the other. And the second the door closed behind the last retreatant, the wind started blowing so hard it nearly knocked me down...I still get "chills" just writing this. I have "seen" the hand of God reach out to us many times and many ways, not the least being the transformation I have witnessed in most of the retreatants...and especially in myself! I realized from ACTS that my relationship with God is not a place I should be...but a journey I am on.
- Pat Stewart
Fall 2003

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I've been a parishioner of St. Joe's in Manchester for 25 years. When I accepted the invitation to attend the ACTS retreat, I was at a point in my life where my worship and relationship with God was limited to Mass and really not much more. I did, and still do, attend daily Mass but that's really more for me and not so much for attending Mass as a devotion to a Blessed Sacrament.

I was at a point where I needed something more "for me" than I was getting and I was pretty sure if I asked God would listen. I arrived at the retreat house not having a clue of what to expect and it took me the entire weekend to figure it out, but I think I did.

My life has always been about "me" and I finally realized that our life here is not about "me" at all but rather about recognizing the things I can do for others and doing them. I'm certain that this has been my witness and through giving of myself I've truly learned that this is the message Jesus has tried to impart to us.

Today I read scripture; I've never done that before. I joined a faith sharing group of men to discuss the next weeks scripture and actually put a framework around what the Gospel message and the other readings really bring to our life and what their purpose is in bringing us closer to God. I find that time is easy to come by when I'm trying to learn more of what is truly expected of me as a Catholic and as a disciple. It's slow but I'm getting there. I feel better every day about my relationship with God and that makes me feel better about everything else. I think there's a message here for me.
- Joe Vilmain
Spring 2004

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My life has changed in many ways since I attended my ACTS retreat weekend in March 2004. ACTS helped to enhance my spiritual journey with Christ; but the retreat also reintroduced me to the St. Joseph's parish community.

When our boys completed their grade school years at St. Joe's, we lost contact with many of the families we had met during those many soccer, baseball and basketball games and practices. And even then, the parishioners we knew were mostly limited to our boys friends' parents.

Through involvement with the ACTS community over the past year and a half, I have gotten to know many wonderful people covering three generations in a very special way. The C in ACTS truly stands for the St. Joseph community and that is one of the reasons the ACTS retreat is different and very special.

Many people tell me that they don't think ACTS is for them. Trust me when I say that there is something in an ACTS retreat weekend for everyone.

- Michael Cherre
Spring 2004

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My name is Jeff Schulenberg, a "cradle Catholic" from Sacred Heart parish in Valley Park, and I was blessed recently with the ACTS retreat sponsored by St. Joe's. I consider myself to be a fairly active and committed Catholic, having participated in several ministries over the years. None of those, however, prepared me for the experience of the ACTS retreat.

The weekend brought my faith to new life. It made Jesus very present to me, in both a spiritual sense and in the physical presence of the St. Joe's parishioners who participated that weekend. I rediscovered the gift of "awe" in the Lord, and the importance of my faith community in my spiritual journey. I am thrilled to be a part of the team that will bring this blessing to Sacred Heart, and feel so grateful to the wonderful people of St. Joe's who worked so hard to make that weekend happen. I pray that everyone in St. Joe's will come to see the blessing that is in their midst in the form of the ACTS retreat, and I promise to do all I can to bring that same gift to Sacred Heart!

- Jeff Schulenberg
Fall 2005