Retreat Overview
For Freshman Students
Freshman Retreat, “Becoming” is a one school-day retreat held ¼ mile from O’Dowd at Holy Redeemer Center. A dozen juniors and seniors from the Retreat Team give talks and lead small group discussions and activities. With members of their Christian Sexuality class, freshmen look at their own goodness and explore who they are becoming as they begin high school.
Freshman Service Learning – The Ancestors Project Freshmen students will do their 10-hour Ancestors Project during the semester that they take Hebrew Scriptures. The school has pre-selected elderly residences who will host our student volunteers. Campus Ministry staff provide an orientation at the beginning of the Hebrews Scripture class and students are placed based on choices they provide. More Info is on the service learning webpage, under Campus Ministry.
Note: Most elderly residences require volunteers to have a tuberculosis screening with the past 12 months. Students/Parents must provide proof of clear TB directly to elderly residences when students start to volunteer, so please keep a copy of your clear TB screen if you already had it done for school.
For Sophomore Students
Sophomore Retreat, “Service” – a St. Anthony’s Foundation Immersion in San Francisco. All sophomores will participate in a one school-day experience at St. Anthony’s in the Tenderloin, learning about and working with the homeless and elderly. Students go with their Catholic Experience religion class. Parents are very much needed as volunteer leaders for the day. Contact Sara Bauermeister at x163.
Sophomore Service Learning – The Friends Project
The requirement is a minimum of 25 hours volunteering directly with kids, ages 4 to 12, -OR- directly with people with developmental disabilities who are any age. All students should have already received an orientation to the project in their religion class at the end of their freshman year. Students choose their own service sites and choose either a fall or spring deadline. Plan your placement early, deciding where and when you will volunteer. More info, forms, and a list of approved sites on the Service Learning webpage.
After sophomore year students may participate in summer extended immersions. See below.
For Junior Students
Junior Kairos Retreat Sign up early for our highly successful “Kairos” Retreat. Kairos is a three-day, two-night retreat where students are given a chance to reflect on their lives, connect with others, and explore relationships between family, friends, and God. Spots on this retreat fill up quickly, so sign up early! Bring in a $50 deposit to reserve your spot. Balance of $100 due one month before the retreat date. Tuition assistance available.
Junior/Senior Service Learning – The Anawim Project
This requirement is the capstone for the whole service learning program. Each student volunteers a minimum of 60 hours directly with people who are marginalized by society, a social justice focus. Juniors and seniors working on this project must have already registered for the Peace and Justice class and have chosen their own service work deadline.
For students planning to do this project the summer before or during senior year, you should start planning early. Many summer sites take applications in February and March. More info and a list of approved sites on the Anawim Project webpage (under Campus Ministry).
Juniors may also participate in Spring Break or summer extended immersions. See below.
For Both Junior and Senior Students
Retreat Team is a group of 80 juniors and seniors that will be trained to run the Freshman Retreats. Those interested in being a Retreat Team member should fill out an application (available at the Campus Ministry Center in Dominican Hall) and attend scheduled training dates in September (see school calendar.) You must attend one (1) training each week for two (2) weeks. (two dates offered per week.)
For Senior Students
Senior Retreat
Sign up early for this two-day overnight retreat. Bring in a $50 deposit to reserve your spot. Balance of $100 due three weeks before the retreat date. Tuition assistance available. Spots fill up quickly!
Dates to be announced
Extended Immersion Program - New Orleans, Mexico, and Urban Immersions
We will offer three different extended (a week or more) social justice immersion trips this year. We will return to New Orleans during Spring Break and over summer go to Mexico, and a new Urban immersion with homeless people in San Francisco and Oakland. Each trip allows students to explore not just the local community but their own spirituality, issues of social justice, living more simply, connecting with folks in solidarity and the meaning of service. These trips are open to any current student who has completed sophomore year. Applications will be available in late November and are due in December.