Retreats offer the students a time to step aside from their academic, social, and athletic activities in order to reflect on the presence of God in their lives. It is a sacred time that is spent with other classmates in reflection, small group discussions and in worship. Every class retreat is designed by students on the Retreat Commission to specifically address the needs of their class. Small groups of students experience a retreat day together in a space that allows them to know and support each other. Neighboring retreat centers offer a place away from NDP that encourages a quiet and prayerful time with God. The retreats are peer driven. Each retreat day includes talks given by their classmates which enthusiastically encourages NDP students to step forth with Christian leadership.
Freshman Retreat: The entire retreat commission looks forward with enthusiasm all year in planning the freshman retreat held in mid August. The entire retreat is designed and given by the commission in which the freshmen are introduced to NDP and liturgy at our school. A theme is selected and the day begins with a guest speaker unpacking the message in the theme. The day unfolds with ice-breakers in small groups, lively games played in a large group and outdoor activities. A discovery of NDP through a masterly planned scavenger hunt is a part of their enthusiastic day. The anticipated humorous skit characterizing student groups leaves us laughing a bit at ourselves and realizing that none of us are perfect. We close the day with an energetic celebration of liturgy and a realization of God actively working in our lives.
Sophomore Retreat: A retreat of Community Service is designed for the sophomores. The students will begin the day at NDP in listening to an alumnus or peers speak on their theme. They will depart NDP and travel by bus in small groups to different locations in Pontiac, Rochester, Auburn Hills and Detroit to minister in the fashion that it is needed. They will engage in conversations with the elderly, the homeless and the abandoned. Food will be prepared and served at soup kitchens. At food and clothing centers they will box complete family meals and sort through heavy containers of clothes and hang them for distribution. At an animal shelter they may find themselves giving loving care to abandoned dogs and cats. After completing their service the sophomores will return to NDP for reflection on their day of service. We will conclude with a prayer service and ponder the Word spoken in Matthew 25: “What you did for my brother you did for me.”
Junior Retreat – The Emmaus Journey: In late fall the juniors will participate in a retreat day “off-campus” at neighboring retreat centers. The core of this retreat is reflecting on their journey with God and where this journey is leading them. Talks will be given by their peers, and reflection on this topic will be in small group discussions. An Emmaus walk outdoors with a classmate allows the student to share more personally their walk with God and to discover another classmate who they did not know before. The day will culminate with the celebration of the Eucharist and encouragement to continue living and being the body of Christ.
Senior Retreat - Commissioned to Go Forth on the Walk of Discipleship: In early fall the seniors in groups of 40 will participate in a retreat at a neighboring retreat center. Their day will be designed and led by their peers. The day will be rooted in Jesus’ call to them to look beyond themselves and to give back. This call to discipleship will be reflected on in smaller groups. The day will include discussions on discovering God’s active presence in our lives and how we are changed by this knowledge. The day will include prayer, quiet time and celebration of the liturgy.
Kairos: The Kairos Retreat is a four-day, three-night residential retreat. A number of students attend, led by a team composed of senior students and staff members. Major talks (each team member presents one) are followed by discussion in small groups. There are other particular activities to promote and build community, to foster trust and openness, and to encourage reflection. The key themes are: Knowing oneself, discovering Jesus in a personal way, recognizing and responding to Jesus’ call, and living the message of Christ. Significant benefits have come to our students from this retreat and to numerous members of our administration, faculty and staff who have joined student leaders as team members.
Kairos establishes trust. Students speak of their difficulties, joys and hopes in ways new and rewarding to them. Family and friends become important. Generally, a stirring of sensitivity to self and others grows into a desire for reconciliation. Many retreatants have experienced a deep sense of consolation along with a generous increase of self esteem as a result of the retreat.
The Kairos experience is permeated with faith dimension. Each day begins and ends with prayer. A special time is given for the Sacrament of reconciliation, and a Eucharistic Liturgy with an Anointing service is celebrated. The faith dimension enters during talks as they are devoted to building a friendship with God. Faith elements are introduced when reflecting on how God, particularly in Jesus, is present in the personal experiences the team and retreatants share with one another. Each retreatant is encouraged to grow in awareness of the countless opportunities to meet God in our world, especially in others.
There are many spiritual values that naturally flow from the experience of Kairos. Each retreatant learns that he/she is loved, lovable, and loving. The retreatant comes to know Jesus in a new light, as a real friend, loving and calling him/her. Each retreatant is encouraged to grow in relationships at home, and to deal with personal problems, and as a result, often seeks more caring friendships.
Reflection is prominent throughout the retreat. Initially there are exercises to help retreatants review what has been good and what has been difficult. At several points in the day there are times for collecting and digesting the events of the retreat. Structured methods help to make this personal. Throughout the retreat, the retreatant is encouraged to take notes and process feelings through journal writing.
Prayer that is genuine, personal, and real becomes a new and happy experience for the retreatant. Liturgy and reading of Scripture are seen as prayerful times. Many continue to pray and share more in church worship after the retreat.
In the course of the retreat there is a strong, gradual building of community. This supports the retreatants during the retreat and also in the follow-up period. The reality of this often shows up in the school where visible, loving dimensions of community appear. The strength of the Kairos experience further manifests itself in the numbers who join in the voluntary program, “The Fourth Day.” The reunions, conducted by the students, have a large number on a consistent basis. The motto, “ Love is shown in deeds more than words," is a Kairos theme. The critical final phase of the retreat and the follow–ups stress putting love into action.
