Campus Ministry
Retreats
Retreats
To fulfill our school’s mission of preparing the hearts and minds of our students, we offer several opportunities throughout each school year to reflect on and promote the development of our spiritual lives. As St. John XXIII so eloquently states, “My Soul is open before you like a blank sheet of paper. Write on it what you will, O Lord: I am Yours.”
At St. John XXIII, we offer 4 Class Retreats, one for each grade level. These day-long retreats are mandatory and are held at an off-campus location. The themes for each grade level are as follows:
The Freshmen retreat focuses on recognizing how Christ calls each of us to live a virtuous life.
The Sophomore retreat will help students recognize the importance of detaching from those things that become obstacles in our relationship with Christ.
The Sophomore retreat will help students recognize the importance of detaching from those things that become obstacles in our relationship with Christ.
The Junior retreat will focus on Servant Leadership as we prepare them to be Senior leaders of the school.
The Senior retreat focuses on Encountering Christ as students prepare for the next step on their faith journeys.
The Senior retreat focuses on Encountering Christ as students prepare for the next step on their faith journeys.
Our Freshmen and Sophomores may also participate in an optional weekend retreat, the Quest Retreat. Our Quest Retreat will be held twice a year and encourages students to strengthen their relationships with God and others while building community.
In addition, our Juniors and Seniors will be given the opportunity to participate in a Kairos Retreat. The Kairos Retreat is a four day overnight retreat led by a team composed of senior students and staff members. Major talks are followed by discussions in small groups. There are other activities to promote and build community, to foster trust and openness, and to encourage reflection.
And finally, a Kairos Reunion Beach Retreat will be offered at Surfside Beach to provide an opportunity for students who have attended a Kairos Retreat to experience a deeper relationship with Our Lord.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES – To further enhance the faith experiences of our students, extracurricular activities involve participation in our RISE bible study group, and our Pro Life Club. Finally, as we strive to introduce our students to opportunities of worship and prayerful surrender to the will of our Lord, we will participate in a variety of archdiocesan events, Life teen events, and Praise & Worship Nights.
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
We believe faith formation and development is an ongoing process and will continue to offer opportunities for spiritual growth throughout the summer months. We will be participating in events such as the Lone Star Steubenville Conference, the Archdiocesan Youth Conference, and of course, community service. At both the Lone Star Steubenville Conference and the Archdiocesan Youth Conference, students will hear exciting and informative presentations from outstanding national speakers and musicians, and make many new friendships – all while growing in their faith.
How can parents be involved? As always, we could not conduct such meaningful prayer experiences for our students without the support and help of our parent volunteers. We will need parents to pray for us, to chaperone, to drive, prepare meals, donate snack items, and to help with other duties that make each retreat and day of reflection special for our students. Remember that it is required for all chaperones to be trained through the VIRTUS program. Please contact Campus Ministry for additional information on the specific ways you can help!
St. John XXIII College Preparatory
Our Mission
St. John XXIII College Preparatory forms the hearts and minds of young men and women in a Christ-centered community dedicated to academic excellence, the pursuit of virtue, and service to others in the Tradition of the Catholic Church.