Retreat Program

Retreat Program

Vianney’s Retreat Program is an integral component of our students’ faith formation process. Developmentally, each retreat is designed to meet the spiritual needs of our students at each stage in their four-year faith journey, from class community development, to personal identity, to responsibilities of membership in a larger local, national and international community, to recognizing our relationships with ourselves, our friends, our families and our God. Trained student leaders help to lead every retreat, giving them the opportunity to minister to their peers. Senior Griffins are given the opportunity to apply to become leaders for underclassmen retreats and for retreats for their peers. The leaders’ training is guided by members of the Campus Ministry staff. Other faculty members also help to lead each retreat. Vianney also offers retreats for the faculty, administration and staff in which all can consider their participation in our Marianist ministry of education.

Spring 2012 Retreat Dates

January 25 – 27: Kairos 3
February 9 – 10: Junior retreat 4
February 23 – 24: Vocation retreat (with Chaminade and St. Mary’s)
March 16: Faculty retreat
March 28 – 30: Kairos 4
April 12 – 13: Freshman retreat

Kairos Retreats

The Kairos Retreat is a student-led overnight experience. Students must apply to be leaders, and leaders are chosen based upon the quality of their applications and their record of behavior throughout their Vianney careers. In order to have students who have gone on the Kairos to lead the Kairos for the next year, juniors are given the opportunity to apply to attend the Kairos Retreats in the second semester. The majority of Catholic high schools in the St. Louis area offer the Kairos Retreat because it has been proven to be an excellent program to compliment the spiritual growth of high school students.

The Kairos Retreat is a two-night overnight retreat for which students will miss two days of school and will spend two nights at the retreat center. For the Kairos Retreat, students will report to Vianney’s Chapel by 2:40 on their departure day, will be transported by bus to the retreat center, and will return to Vianney’s Chapel at about 5:30 two days thereafter. With the exception of the dress code, students will be expected to adhere to all codes of conduct outlined in the Student Handbook while on retreat.

Junior Retreats

The Junior Retreat will be directed by both the staff of the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center and members of the Vianney faculty and staff. The Junior Retreat enhances the Junior Religion curriculum by integrating Catholic Social Teaching and the Corporal Works of Mercy with items from the daily news to prepare the juniors for their Social Service Project in late May. The group sharing and overnight experience also should make this Junior Retreat a good precursor to the required Senior Kairos Retreat.

The Junior Retreat is an overnight retreat for which students will miss two days of school and will spend one night at the retreat center. Students will be provided with a detailed list of what they should and should not bring and with a permission form before their retreat. For the Junior Retreat, students, without exception, will report to Vianney’s Chapel by 7:40 on their departure day, will be transported by bus, and will return to Vianney by 2:40 on the next day.

Sophomore Retreats

The sophomore class takes their Sophomore Retreat at the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center. This retreat, entitled “Called By Name” gives the sophomores the opportunity to consider how they are unique creations of God and how they contribute their special gifts within the Vianney Family and in all aspects of their lives. The retreat offers many different opportunities for bonding and reflection on the beautiful grounds of the Marianist Retreat & Conference Center which feature open fields, an outdoors basketball court and hiking trails that lead down to the Meramec River.

The Sophomore Retreat is a one-day retreat that will occur during the school day. It will be presented by Vianney faculty and staff members and small group sessions will be led by trained seniors. Students do not have to be in dress code on this day, but do have to abide by all of the other behavioral expectations set forth in the Student Handbook. Sophomores should meet in the Chapel for attendance at 7:40 and will return to Vianney by 2:40. Lunch will be provided.

Freshman Retreats

Our Freshman Retreat features a “Teams Challenge Course” facilitated by the staff of the Wyman Center in Eureka, MO. The Vianney faculty and staff and trained members of the senior and junior classes also moderate the Freshman Retreat, and seek to make it a spiritual and community building experience. This Teams Challenge Course will integrate some of the aspects of a ropes course into team building and trust activities. It continues the LINK Crew transition program, and offers the freshman class a memorable way to get to know one another. It is also an opportunity for the LINK Crew and the Campus Ministry staff to introduce the freshmen to what it means to be a Griffin and to our Marianist spirituality.

Freshmen are to dress appropriately for mid-spring outdoor weather and for the minimal exertion of a low ropes course. They are to report to the Chapel on the day of their departure (instead of to their first class), and are not to bring any electronic devices. Freshmen will take a bus to Camp Wyman and will then return to Vianney by 2:40. Other than the dress code, all behavioral codes in the Vianney High School Student handbook will be in effect. Lunch and a snack will be provided for the freshmen.

In order to participate in the Freshman Retreat, all students must give a completed permission form to the Campus Ministry staff before their retreat.