Welcome
Weekend
There are no strangers here only friends we have not yet met!
The Faith Community of St. Jude Church presents a WELCOME Weekend Experience modeled by Matthew Kelly, Author of the Dynamic Catholic.
men's Weekend: october 12 & 13
woMen's Weekend: october 19 & 20
Costs: Free
Why?
- To find what is missing in your life and what to do about it
- To feel more equipped to face life with God at your side
- To have a dedicated quiet time with God
- To better understand where God is calling you to serve
- To learn, grow spiritually and renew yourself
- To meet and build bonds and relationships with others
- To enhance your Lenten experience
Where? Annual weekends are hosted at St. Jude’s Franciscan Hall. Start time is 8:00 a.m. on Saturday through Sunday afternoon around 4:00 p.m.
Experience
- Inspiration to better yourself
- Tools to help change your life
- Engagement in Community
- Food and Fun
- Reconciliation and Mass
Dynamic Catholic - "Real hope for the future comes from giving everything to the present."
Matthew Kelly, an internationally known author, speaker and business consultant, has dedicated his life to helping people and organizations become the best version of themselves. At 45, he has accomplished much including founding the Dynamic Catholic Institute, a non-profit organization whose mission is to re-energize the Catholic Church in America by developing world-class resources that inspire people to rediscover the genius of Catholicism.
If you have questions and would like to contact someone please call us at 815-463-4232 or email us at
Women's Welcome Register
Testimonials
"I am so thankful that I took the leap and participated in Welcome. The more I reflect on my experience, the more graces and gifts I see; growth in my love for our Lord Jesus, deeper understanding of His love and mercy for each of us, and a real sisterhood of beautiful women at St. Jude; all of which I may not have encountered were it not for our Welcome experience together. In a way that only God can bring about, I think participation in Welcome is fruitful for participants as well as for our parish. Welcome is a true gift to all who choose to participate.”
Kacey Glennon 48 - Eucharistic Minister to the Home-bound, Vocations Ministry
"The weekend strengthened my partnership with Jesus. It showed me that a closer more meaningful relationship on a spiritual level is possible. I'm grateful to have experienced such a moving weekend."
Stan Wertelka 59 - Real Estate Broker
"The weekend helped me redefine my relationship with the Trinity. It helped me find my place in this world at a time I felt lost. I came away with a wonderful sense of inner peace and direction and met many incredible women to continue a spiritual journey with."
Martha Sojka 41 - Haiti Connection
“The weekend strengthened my Faith and helped me Find the Holy Spirit! It put me on the path to becoming the man that God wants me to be. I also met many men that I consider to be my brothers."
Bob Stevens 55 - Usher, Knights of Columbus Officer, Welcome Team, Bible Study Participant
“I attended Welcome in 2015. I wasn't sure what to expect as I headed off for the weekend but was absolutely blown away by the experience. Through witness and community, I felt my faith renew in a way I had not previously experienced. I felt a new desire to engage with my Catholic faith community, and I joined several new groups. Welcome connected me in a way I wasn't expecting, and I am eternally thankful for the experience.”
Cara Giovanazzi 28 – Peace & Social Justice and Beloved (book club).
"My experience on the weekend has provided me a new-found appreciation for life. Waking up and living has become a continuous moment-to-moment gift from God rather than living a life that is taken for granted. The weekend can be summed up as spirit filled, life-long and family friends, appreciation.”
Mike Rueck 31 – Extraordinary Minister, Men's Ministry (TMIY), Knights of Columbus