Tucker Redding, SJ
SPEAKER.
RETREAT LEADER.
During my time at Texas A&M University, I became very active in retreat ministry. I worked on various retreats, developed a retreat organization with a group of friends, and eventually started doing retreats for different groups. Through retreat ministry I also gained experience as a speaker through giving talks as well as hosting retreats and workshops. This page shows some of my experiences in retreat work and speaking.
Retreat Organization and Leadership
I have extensive experience both behind the scenes and on-stage in retreat ministry. I can organize and motivate a team of people so that a retreat turns from a blank page to a well organized and enlightening experience.
Individual Retreats and Speaking Engagements
Along with organizing retreats with large groups of people, I have also given retreats and talks on my own. I can lead a retreat with many people of various age groups or give talks or workshops on specific topics.
Resonate Ministries Inc.
Founder, Director, and Board Member (2004-11)
I formed this nonprofit organization with a group of friends with the purpose of providing retreats for churches in central Texas. The main program is called the Zion Retreat, which focused on the importance of community. I filed the paperwork to make this organization a registered 501(c)(3) company and maintained its tax forms. I organized the leadership team that oversaw the main retreat program. I conducted meetings among leadership and staff members. I made the main website and other forms of advertisement.
Saint Mary's Youth Retreat Team (SMYRT)
Director (2004-05) Communication Coordinator (Fall 2004), Staff Member (2002-06)
This organization is based out of St. Mary's Catholic Center in College Station, Texas, and travels within a 100-mile radius providing youth retreats for churches. I served as Director for a year, which included working with churches to schedule retreats, training staff members, and providing oversight on the retreats. I was also the Communication Coordinator, which involved advertising the organization for both staff members and parish clients.
Catholic Summer Immersion (CSI) - Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Planning Team/Youth Team Coordinator (2008-11)
The Office of Youth Ministry hosted this event for high school youth in the Houston area. The purpose was to teach youth about Catholic Social Teaching in a retreat environment, while also doing direct service in the community. I helped to plan the event and worked with a team of selected high school youth who helped with programing during the event.
Participants at the Zion Retreat in Houston in 2011.
Giving a talk during Catholic Summer Immersion.
Presenting a workshop on diversity and spirituality at the Archdiocesan Youth Conference in Houston.
Giving instructions for the participants of the Incarmate Word senior retreat.
Parish Mission at St. Justin Martyr - Houston, TX
Mission Speaker (March 2016)
This is a tri-lingual, three-day mission in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. I was honored to be one of the speakers. Each night I gave an hour long talk focused on mercy. This involved leading the participants (primarily adults and some teenagers) through meditations using the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, Bible Study, and using my experiences as a Jesuit to talk about the mercy that God gives us and that we need to give to others.
Ignatian Retreat at Immaculate Conception Church - Baton Rouge, LA
Retreat Director (May 2014)
An Ignatian retreat involves retreatants spending time each day in reflective prayer and talking about this experiences with a retreat director. I met with 7 people to hear about their prayer experiences, help them to discern their meaning, and suggest ways for them to pray.
Workshop at the Archdiocesan Youth Conference (AYC) - Houston, TX
Workshop Leader (July 2011)
AYC is an annual gathering of over 2000 high school youth in the Houston area. I gave a workshop on spirituality and diversity in the Catholic Church. I spoke about the ways that the cultures present in Houston contribute to how we celebrate our faith.
Incarnate Word Academy Retreats - Houston, TX
Retreat Leader (2009-11)
Incarnate Word is an all girls Catholic school in Houston. I was contracted by the campus minister to create and lead retreats for the juniors and seniors. The junior retreats focused on team-building and leadership to prepare the girls to become seniors. The senior retreat focused on seeing the good in their time at IWA and getting ready for their new path.