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The Marriage Catechumenate
Encounter
Foundational to the catechumenate is the proclamation of the Kerygma--the initial proclamation of The Gospel. Pope Francis specifically identified the Kerygma as being an essential element of the preparation of marriage. Here in the Diocese of Lansing, we are well equipped to incorporate this element as we have been focusing on encounter opportunities in our parishes as part of Bishop Boyea's pastoral letter and initiative of evangelization. Thus, as the first step of their catechumenate, the engaged couple, and their mentor couple with them, if possible, should attend on of the many encounter opportunities available at their parish or a neighboring parish if necessary. Options Include:
Redeemed to Love
Alpha for Catholics
ChristLife
Christ Renews His Parish
Cursillo
Kerygma Encounter
Life in the Spirit Seminars
Other Encounter Opportunities Approved by the Parish Pastor
Redeemed to Love
Redeemed to Love, developed by the Chancery in the Diocese of Lansing, is a one-day retreat for engaged couples to go deeper than wedding planning and prepare their hearts for the sacrament of marriage. Through prayer, reflection, and proclamation of the Gospel, couples are invited to encounter Jesus Christ in a personal way and to see their love story within the greater story of salvation.
This kerygmatic retreat helps couples understand marriage not simply as a commitment to one another, but as a vocation: a visible sign of Christ’s love for His Church. Designed especially for the Encounter stage of the Marriage Catechumenate (Stage I), Redeemed to Love lays a foundation for couples to know Christ more fully so they can live their marriage as a true reflection of His redeeming love.
Alpha for Catholics
Alpha for Catholics is a parish‑based evangelization resource designed to invite people into meaningful conversations about life, faith, and Jesus in a friendly, open, and hospitable environment. It provides the structure and support for parishes to run the Alpha course — a series of sessions featuring short talks and small‑group discussions — so that both Catholics and those exploring the Christian faith can gather, ask honest questions, and reflect together without pressure or judgment.
In a Catholic context, Alpha is used to help the faithful grow as missionary disciples by creating space for encounter with Christ, attentive listening, prayerful dialogue, and community, empowering parishes to reach out and renew missionary outreach.
ChristLife
ChristLife is a Catholic evangelization ministry and formation process that invites people to personally encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and share their faith with others. It is built around a three‑step relational approach — Discovering Christ, Following Christ, and Sharing Christ — designed to help parishes create environments where participants can experience the Gospel through fellowship, prayer, talks, and small‑group discussion.
Used by parishes across the United States and beyond since 2009, the ChristLife process equips Catholic communities with the vision and tools to evangelize both active and inactive Catholics as well as those seeking a relationship with Christ, helping them to live out their faith more fully and to become missionary disciples within the Church.
Christ Renews His Parish (Dynamic Catholic Welcome Retreat)
Welcome is a parish‑based retreat experience offered through Dynamic Catholic that invites participants to step back from daily life and reflect on what is truly missing in their spiritual journey. It’s designed to help people explore big questions—like Who am I? and What matters most?—through fellowship, prayer, faith sharing, music, sacraments, and small‑group conversation over a structured weekend format. The goal is to help individuals encounter Christ more deeply, grow closer to God, and build meaningful connections within their parish community.
Run by parishioners who have previously attended the experience, Welcome seeks to “change lives and transform parishes” by offering a supportive environment where participants can discover purpose, strengthen relationships, and be encouraged in their faith. The experience is intended to energize parish life and form missionary disciples who are more engaged in both personal spirituality and communal life.
Cursillo
Cursillo is a Catholic renewal movement that invites participants to deepen their relationship with Christ and grow in Christian discipleship through a short, intensive retreat experience. Rooted in the Spanish word for “short course,” Cursillo typically unfolds over a three‑day weekend of prayer, talks, worship, fellowship, and small‑group reflection. The goal is to help individuals encounter Christ more personally and to live out their faith more fully in daily life.
After the weekend, Cursillo encourages ongoing spiritual growth and community through Fourth Day group gatherings, offering continued support for living a vibrant Catholic life and sharing the Gospel with others.
Kerygma Encounter
The Kerygma Encounter, developed by the Chancery in the Diocese of Lansing, was originally designed to help catechists enter into a deeper relationship with Christ. The word “kerygma” is Greek for “the gospel” or “the good news.” Kerygma Encounter is a day spent with our loving God; Father, Son, and Spirit. The focus of this retreat experience is to bring you to a new encounter, both in mind and heart, with Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, drawing closer into the heart of the Father.
The Kerygma Encounter experience consists of several components; opportunities for quiet listening, assent, healing, and rejoicing. The day consists of the essential Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed in brief but compelling talks, times of direct and private conversations with the Lord, Eucharistic Adoration, powerful community prayer, and sharing encouragement and joy with each other in quiet conversation.
Since Kerygma Encounter was developed in the Diocese of Lansing in 2015, more than fifteen hundred committed Catholics around the state of Michigan have been formed and transformed by the experience (including priests, deacons, and the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist!!) Kerygma Encounter is now used as a first step to catechist training; it's being incorporated into marriage preparation; and it has been appropriated for use as a Confirmation Retreat for teens. Participants have said so many marvelous things about Kerygma Encounter: "I needed this so badly", and "I FINALLY met Jesus!" and "The prayer times were POWERFUL!!" and "I'm coming back to do this again!!"
Life in the Spirit Seminars
Life in the Spirit Seminar is a Catholic retreat experience focused on helping participants start or deepen their personal relationship with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. Typically offered as a weekend retreat (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon), it includes testimony sessions, small‑group discussion, praise and worship, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, and Mass, all structured around themes such as God’s love, salvation, new life in Christ, openness to the Spirit, and living an empowered spiritual life.
The seminar invites Catholics of all faith levels to grow in awareness of God’s presence and to experience renewal in prayer and community as they explore what it means to live a “life in the Spirit.” Whether offered as a weekend or an extended series, its aim is to lead participants into a deeper encounter with Christ and the Holy Spirit and to support ongoing spiritual growth in daily life.