How To Do This Online Retreat
Welcome!
I am so glad you are here. My name is Ellen Finnigan. I am the author of the Behold the Lamb Study Guide, which I wrote to supplement Fr. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy's professionally recorded series of talks, Behold the Lamb. I am also the creator of this online retreat, and will act as your Course Administrator.
This online retreat takes approximately four weeks and can be started by anyone at any time.
Course Materials
Note: All of Fr. McCarthy's Behold the Lamb lectures as well as his other materials are available for free at his website: www.emmanuelcharlesmccarthy.org. Anyone can enroll in this course for free and will have access to the Behold the Lamb lectures as well as some bells and whistles to enhance experience, including:
- First four lectures made immediately available when you enroll, with four more available each week for the next three weeks to help you pace listening.
- An email delivered to your inbox every week to alert you that four new lectures are available in this online course (only if you did not opt out of receiving emails from Teach to the Text).
- Digital artwork displayed alongside each lecture, relevant to each lecture, to foster deeper contemplation.
- Access to some relevant, supplemental materials that you may find helpful.
For $10, you can purchase the Study Guide (downloadable .pdf), which includes:
- Questions on each lecture to help you to focus and listen for key takeaways.
- Scriptural references to everything in the Bible that Fr. McCarthy mentions.
- Spiritual reflections to help you reflect on what you've heard.
- Review and discussion questions after every four lectures, especially helpful for those who are doing this online retreat in a small group.
I highly recommend having the Study Guide with you as you listen to each presentation, especially if you are doing this in a small group. Be sure to write down your answers to the questions as well as any reactions, observations or questions that you have. The activity of writing aids the activity of thinking! Writing down your thoughts as you listen will make for a more meaningful experience and more fruitful discussions.
Individuals, Small Groups, Live Retreats
Individuals can take this retreat privately.
Small groups can also embark on this retreat together, whether they are meeting in-person or on Zoom. The Study Guide will be of great help by providing questions for reflection and discussion.
I am available to host and lead a live online retreat for your group. As your retreat leader, I will bring your group together in my online classroom and lead you through some prayer and meditation, presentation, discussion, and Q&A. I have found that one live session per week for four weeks works well, but we can meet more or less frequently if you'd like. You can contact me directly for more information about cost and scheduling.
I am always available as your course administrator, for those going through the course on their own, in case you have any problems.
I wish you a joyful and glorious retreat!
Sincerely,
Ellen Finnigan
Course Administrator