FRESHMAN RETREAT
The Freshman Retreat is entirely designed, planned, and executed by students. It is a unique three-day experience taking place during the fall semester and having as its main objectives:
- to help freshmen experience God's love and deepen their relationship with Christ
- to allow upperclassmen to peer minister to the freshmen
- to provide each freshman with the opportunity to explore his own feelings, thoughts, and those of his classmates
- to introduce the freshmen to the philosophy of a Jesuit school
The retreat itself consists of a series of activities done in small groups of six or seven freshmen led by the Group Leader, who is a Senior or a Junior. The activities include but are not limited to: sharing ideas, visiting a nursing home, participating in discussions with other teens and parents, participating in prayer sessions and liturgical events such as mass and reconciliation. To prepare for the retreat, the group leaders must participate in a series of Sunday training sessions totalling more than 40 hours and a two-day group-leader retreat held at the beginning of the school year.
The Core Group is responsible for the overall organization of the retreat. This group of nine group leaders designs the schedule and the activities for the retreat in a series of Sunday meetings held during the spring semester.