Every family retreat preached at Nazareth is directed at six things. They are the promises printed on the centre's own brochure, and they are the measure by which the four days are planned.
The six aims
- To take in the spirituality of family life.
- To understand what each person in the house is like, and so to warm the bonds between them.
- To recognise again the greatness of the bond between husband and wife, and to live it contentedly.
- To raise children who are filled with the grace of God.
- To come through troubles and know joy again.
- To shape a family that is led by the Holy Spirit.
Why parents and children together
A household is not a set of individuals who happen to share an address. The difficulties of a family are shared difficulties, and they are rarely resolved in isolation. So the retreat is built for everyone to attend — the sessions, the prayer and the silence are all shaped around a family sitting together.
Beyond the retreat
Preaching alone is not enough for some situations, and the centre does not pretend otherwise. Trained counsellors are available for family, couple, youth and children's counselling, and families are encouraged to ask for an appointment whether or not they have attended a retreat.