Semantics

I am a huge fan of retreats. I started attending in grade school, continued in high school (shout out to TEC and Kairos), and became a leader on many in college, even co-creating a weekend. I think the thing I like most about retreats is the intensive, intentional time devoted to deep questions, often focusing on faith or personal experiences. It’s one of the few places left in our world that people are willing to be fully vulnerable. I also love the community created in retreats. The personal openness fostered in retreat settings forges deep bonds quickly, ones lasting lifetimes. 

Perhaps this is why I care immensely about the content of retreats. On Mon. Sept. 23 the seniors at Bishop Ward had their first retreat (they have another one in the spring). I had no idea what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t what I experienced. Don’t get me wrong, the retreat was a lovely break from their everyday routine. They got to be outside, share a meal together, there was a talk and small group discussion, games, and a Mass. However, nothing about the retreat seemed to sponsor vulnerability; no deep and lasting bonds formed. Now I understand that experience may be difficult to implement in a day, but I think we should at least try. Or perhaps we should name this day something else. Whatever the case is, the objectives need to be clearly defined. If the purpose was just to allow the seniors a day off of school in the name of fellowship and theology, great. That was accomplished. However, if the purpose was supposed to foster some sort of theological or religious development, we should probably reconsider the schedule for the day.