Establish definite deadlines. Insist upon advance registrations. Encourage participants to sign up in advance in order to approximate the number of participants. This is especially important in the case of overnight retreats. Also, encourage participants to attend the entire retreat.
Nothing is more distracting than people who wander in and out.
The planning stage also provides a means for fellowship among the retreat organizers and an ideal means by which new or less active parishioners might be nurtured and encouraged to develop personal bonds with others. Arrange meals and refreshments Establish a schedule Plan discussions, lectures, music, services, films, etc.