Manresa Outreach Committee Mission and By–Laws**

1. Goals: In support of this mission, the Manresa Outreach Team strives to:
   1. Continue to experience and grow in the Spiritual Exercises;
   2. Foster the continued spiritual growth of those with whom they share Ignatian spirituality;
2. Membership Requirements: The following requirements are expected of anyone who is an active member of the Manresa Outreach Team.
   1. He engages in the ministry of this outreach group with the approval of and under the direction of the Director of Manresa or his representative.
   2. He must make the full Spiritual Exercises in either a 30–day or 19th Annotation form. This is absolutely essential and non–negotiable.
   3. He must be willing to study the Exercises.
   4. He should have some interest in learning the basics of Sacred Scripture, dogmatic theology, and morality, leading to an understanding of basic Catholic Christian truths and values.
   5. He should be willing and able to attend regularly the monthly meetings of the Outreach group.
   6. He should develop a personal prayer life since he will be helping others to develop a prayer life, and should have a spiritual director.
   7. He shall not offer spiritual or moral counseling unless he has been trained in psychological, moral, or spiritual counseling. Any such counseling is outside the realm of this committee and is not a consderation or a tenet of this committee.
   8. It is expected that by the end of two years of formation, he will have made a number of presentations to the committee on the spiritual exercises; assisted in the planning and attended at least 3 retreats given by other members of the group; approved by the Manresa Director and his mentor.
   9. A mentor will be appointed for each aspirant who will assist and meet with the aspirant on a regular basis.
3. By-Laws:
   1. The policies and actions of the Manresa Outreach Team shall be determined by a consensus of the group.
   2. A Coordinator will be selected by a consensus of the members, subject to the approval of the Director of Manresa. He will normally serve a term of one year, to begin on January 1.
      1. The Coordinator will prepare a quarterly report to be submitted to the Manresa Board of Directors.
      2. The Coordinator will prepare an agenda for each regular meeting of the Team.
      3. The Coordinator will appoint a member or aspirant to begin each meeting with a meditative prayer.
      4. The Coordinator will appoint a member or staff person to handle letters, dates, literature, phone calls, or any other business items which pertain to the actual retreat functions and other actions of the Team.
   3. A Secretary–Treasurer will be appointed by the Coordinator. The Secretary-Treasurer will keep the minutes, advise all members and aspirants in writing of upcoming meetings, and handle financial matters and reports. He shall prepare for the Coordinator a quarterly report, including the minutes of the Team, to be submitted to the Manresa Board of Directors.
   4. A Spiritual Advisor will be appointed by the Director.

Prayer

O almighty God, Lord of the Harvest of souls, we ask you to guide and bless all who have gone forth to talk about the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Endow them with the gifts of generosity and concern. Send your Holy Spirit on them that He may strengthen them in weakness, comfort them in trials and direct their efforts. May he open the hearts of their hearers to receive your message. Let your revelation enlighten all minds for the salvation of souls and let your love heal every heart and body for the happiness of each person. May all people consciously acknowledge you and serve you by living the teachings of your Son. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Adopted October 15, 2002**

For contact information and details on setting up a mission in your church parish, please click on the "Contact Us" link above.