Christians Encounter Christ

“Take a Christian or handful of Christians who, in the midst of their own community, show their capacity for understanding and acceptance, their sharing of life and destiny with other people, their solidarity with efforts of all for whatever is noble and good. Let us suppose that, in addition they radiate in an altogether simple and unaffected way their faith in values that go beyond current values, and their hope in something that is not seen and that one would not dare to imagine. Through this wordless witness these Christians stir up irresistible questions in the hearts of those who see how they live: Why are they like this? Why do they live this way? What or who is it that inspires them? Why are they in our midst? Such a witness is already a silent proclamation of the Good News and a very powerful and effective one.” - Pope Paul VI’s Apostolic Exhortation on Evangelization in the Modern World

WHAT IS CHRISTIANS ENCOUNTER CHRIST?

Christians Encounter Christ (CEC) is a Catholic movement within the Archdiocese of Omaha. Christians Encounter Christ Movement believes that Christianity can penetrate all areas of the secular world, living, growing, and transferring Christ’s values to society. The CEC Method is introduced in highly structured three-day weekend experience, beginning on Friday evening and ending on Sunday night. It is combined effort of laity and clergy towards evangelization of the world in which we live, by strengthened spirituality, lived and shared in everyday environments.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTIANS ENCOUNTER CHRIST?

“Go then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples” (Matt 28-19). Saint John Paul II asked us to evangelize. A goal of the CEC movement is to promote the transformation of environments through Christian leaders who are willing to live and share their principles of being Christian. Through ongoing spiritual growth, these leaders strive to instill the spirit of Christ in all environments in which they are actively involved.

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE “WEEKEND”?

On the weekend you will join others in song, prayer and discussion. The discussion is centered on eleven talks given by laity and clergy which help you to know, to love and to serve God. The talks present the theme of God’s grace in you, how this grace comes more alive in a Christian community, and how to share this grace with others. There is also daily celebration of Mass. This is not a quiet retreat experience, but a lively, joyous Spirit-filled opportunity for you to allow Jesus to work to work in your life, see and experience Him in the lives around you, and learn practices and a method of perseverance to keep Him in your life and bring Him to others through your Christian leadership.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE “WEEKEND”?

CEC develops in adult Christians an awareness of their power and mission to become leaders in the work of evangelization, and provides support to sustain them as they persevere in their work as Christian leaven in family, civic, social, and economic life. This support is provided through their ongoing participation in CEC groups. In a group, 4-5 people meet on a regular basis to reflect, pray and encourage each other in their discipleship. Avanti is a gathering of the larger CEC community. At an Avanti, the community spirit of the weekend is continued through group sharing, witness, shared prayer and fellowship.