The WATCH weekend is presented by a team of 16 people. The team prepares for the weekend by meeting for six weeks prior to the weekend. Talks are given by lay people and clergy. They focus on self, God’s grace, study, prayer, action, reconciliation, Eucharist, and sharing. Each talk is enhanced by PowerPoint and music presentations and by several paraliturgies. They give participants the “tools” to strengthen their relationship with Christ and with others.
In this stress-free atmosphere there are also fun-filled activities, private time for meditation and reflection, worship services, devotion time for the rosary, morning prayer, adoration and bible enthronement, Lectio Divina and time for making new friends. Participants sit with an assigned group for the weekend at a table and participate in group dynamics.
The WATCH weekend begins on Friday evening and ends mid-afternoon on Sunday. It is a co-ed weekend and participants go home at night. The program is based on the cross. On Friday evening and Saturday, the vertical part of the cross is emphasized. This is a metaphor for our relationship with Christ. On Sunday, the horizontal part of the Cross is emphasized. The horizontal part of the Cross symbolizes our relationship with others as Christ reaching out his hands to us and thus we should be reaching out to others.
The concept and importance of sharing groups is introduced toward the end of the weekend and participants are encouraged to routinely meet in small sharing groups following the weekend to continue their WATCH experience.
