They provide a memorable experience and time to reflect on God, their life, to be creative, and to interact with others in a Christian community. Students are challenged to deepen their understanding of themselves in relationship to their family, peers and their God.
In Year 7 to 10 students participate in an on campus Mini Retreat Day. On this day they are involved in large and small group activities. In each year group there are different themes that will change depending on the year group’s overall needs but it follows a basic outline of:
- A Liturgy.
- A social justice component.
- Challenges for groups and individuals.
- Relationship building.
- Evaluation of the day.
In Years 11 and 12 students are involved in a 3 day 2 night Retreat and Twilight Retreats.
Retreat is God’s time. Our students who decide to give of themselves in a retreat are opening themselves in a special way to God’s influence. This influence is manifested in different ways according to each individual’s life and background.
Retreat is a catalyst for growth. If our students respond to God’s offer, they leave Retreat with something more than they came with. This is a reality that goes far beyond “good feelings” and is often evident in a change of attitude and life practices which shows the student is living more fully.
While Retreat takes place in small College groupings, it is essentially an experience for the individual. The central focus for each individual is to review important aspects of their life and delve into the question: “What is God’s role in my life? So as to come to a greater acceptance of their God-given goodness.
Retreat aims to provide experiences that place our students in touch with the God within them, and can therefore lead to growth in this relationship.
For Year 12, the deepest sense of God can be found in the experience of FRIENDSHIP with ourselves, other people and directly with God.
The central experiences of Retreat are; large group, small group, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Prayer and living together.
