A Retreat Captain is an integral part of our ministry at the Retreat Center. Captains are contemporary apostles called to invite, encourage and motivate others to attend a retreat by sharing the love and the joy of Christ they experienced while on retreat. Just as Jesus sent the apostles out into the world in order to make his love known, Captains are sent forth into their own communities in order to lead others to Jesus who waits for them in the stillness and silence of their hearts. Captains are those women and men who have been set ablaze with the love of God and, through the grace of their own Baptism, welcome others to become a part of the unique legacy and history at the Retreat Center. 

Each Captain is assigned a particular retreat weekend throughout the year and collaboratively works with the other captains assigned to the same retreat in order to invite, inspire and encourage others to attend a retreat. Together with the Retreat Center, Retreat Capatains are motivated to fill every available spot and cast a net a widely as possible. This involves the unique power of personal invitation as well as other means of promotion such as flyers, the use of social media, e-mails, Sunday Mass announcements, and small group and club announcements. While on the Retreat, Captains should be hospitable and welcoming of each retreatant by working with the Retreat Center Ministry Team and being available to the retreatants to help them feel at home. 

It is important to think outside the box when it comes to inviting others on a retreat. While it is good to invite those who have attended a retreat in the past to come again, it is equally important to invite those who have never attended a retreat before in order to give everyone the opportunity to experience the love of God more deeply. It is also good to be mindful of inviting the next generation of retreatants as well in order to continue to allow the ministry of the ANO Retreat Center to grow and thrive. Captains should consider encouraging veteran retreatants to invite their own friends, children and grandchildren to attend a retreat in a true spirit of discipleship. Everyone can benefit from a retreat!