PARISH MISSION & RETREAT DAY

With Fr. DAVID MARY

A Parish Mission is a parish retreat program that became popular for Catholic Parishes during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries by the Capuchin Franciscan Friars. Saint John Neumann, when he was the Bishop of Philadelphia, popularized parish missions throughout his archdiocese and throughout the United States.

A Parish Mission is designed to meet the needs of each individual parish. Topics for conferences, social events, and the liturgical setting for the mission is determined by the Parish Priest and the Missionary Preacher.

The Parish Mission can be as simple as three evening conferences or as involved as the missionary preacher speaking to the Catholic School children, youth group, parish groups, and offering confession times during the days of the mission.

Fr. David Mary presents his conferences with a fresh and unique way of making the deep concepts of theology easily understandable and relatable to everyday life. He calls his preaching the “Incarnational Approach,” coming down to the level of the congregation and lifting them up, just as Jesus did for us.

To schedule a Parish Mission please call: (865) 455-8563
Checks Made Payable to:

3906 Island View Park
Sevierville, TN 37876
Fr David Mary of Our Lady of Sorrows
Franciscan Hermitage Foundation
Holy Crucifixion Friary

3906 Island View Park
Sevierville, TN 37876

Parish Mission Schedule

Fr David Mary will preach all the weekend Masses in order to excite the parishioners to attend the Parish Mission.
The Parish Mission either begins Sunday Evening or Monday Evening and goes for three nights.
Each Parish chooses the best time that is right for their parish.
Each Night could either be:

1. Vespers with a talk following the Reading and before the Response –or–

2. Holy Mass with an extended Homily

3. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Hymns, a Reading, the Conferences and concluding with Benediction

4. A simple prayer service with a reading and the Conferences

Talks to Individual Groups or School Children

Individual Conferences to groups in the Parish such as the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Women, Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Religious Education, or Youth Groups (etc) can be arranged at a time that does not conflict with the evening Preaching schedule or Sunday Mass Schedule.

Parish Mission Social Events

Some parishes take the opportunity to use the Parish Mission as a means for developing greater community. A parish may want to organize a social gathering after each night of the Parish Mission or simply after the last evening of the Parish Mission.
Many parishes choose to either have a full meal provided by the Knights of Columbus or a caterer, others choose to have simple snacks and refreshments.

When to Have the Parish Mission

It is customary to hold the Parish Mission during the season of Lent as this is a time of renewal and reformation. However, many parishes have chosen to also hold their missions during the season of Advent, as this is a time of expectation and preparation for the welcoming of Jesus.
Due to Fr. David Mary’s limited time to preach Parish Missions and Retreats, Fr. David Mary will offer Parish Missions once a month outside of Lent and Advent and two Parish Missions during the seasons of Lent and Advent.
Retreats can be determined on a case-by-case basis according to time and availability.

Who Should Attend the Mission

Fr. David Mary’s preaching appeals to parishioners of all ages, from school-age children to the elders of the parish. When designing a Parish Mission for your parish it is important that it is advertised as a Retreat for the Whole Parish. Each ministry and group in the parish should be expected to advertise the Parish Mission and participate as much as possible. Religious Education Students should attend on Class night with their teachers and parents.
Ushers, Music Ministers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Parish Staff should all be encouraged to attend and participate according to their ministries.

What is the Cost of a Parish Mission?

In the Holy Gospel Our Lord Jesus tells the Apostles: “Without cost you received, without cost you are to give.”
Following this mandate of the Lord, in true Franciscan manner, Fr. David Mary does not charge for a Parish Mission or a Retreat. If the parish so chooses, they may take up a collection and send it to a non-profit called: Franciscan Hermitage Foundation which supports the life of Fr David Mary.
It is expected that the parish will cover any travel and sleeping accommodations.

Topics for Parish Mission

Series 1: The Divine Adoption

• Conference 1: “Jesus: Son of God and the Lover of My Soul”

• Conference 2: “Our Father, Jesus’ Father, My Father”

• Conference 3: “Mary: Mother of God and My Mother”

Series 2: Living the Sacramental Life

• Conference 1: “Baptism and Confirmation: The Gift of New Life”

• Conference 2: “The Holy Eucharist: Life Nourished”

• Conference 3: “Confession: Life Restored”

Series 3: Get Holy or Die Trying

• Conference 1: “Building a Life of Prayer”

• Conference 2: “Forgiving Others as We Have Been Forgiven”

• Conference 3: “Repent, Do Penance, and Believe in the Gospel”

Series 4: Be Holy as the Lord Your God is Holy

• Conference 1: “Called to be Saints”

• Conference 2: “Saint Joseph, the Model of Every Christian”

• Conference 3: “Saint Francis: A Path to Interior Peace”

These various topics can be rearranged for the needs of your parish, or other topics can be inserted if the Pastor believes that another topic would be more suitable.

Other Topics Fr. David Mary Can Speak On:

• The Blessed Trinity

• The Seven Last Words of Jesus

• The Seven Sorrows of Mary

• Confirmation: Living & Proclaiming Faith

• Devotion to The Holy Rosary

• The Sacrifice of the Holy Mass