Retreats

Retreats at SI - An Encounter with Self, God and Others

We all know the importance of getting away from the hectic pace of life and finding time to pray, to reflect and to deepen our knowledge and love of ourselves and of God. Our retreat programs provide students with sacred time and space to encounter themselves, their classmates, and God in a context of love.

Since the school's founding, teachers and campus ministers have shared the Ignatian way of praying with our students.  Read about each program below and contact SI's Director of Campus Ministry, Kelly Miguens at kmiguens@siprep.org, or Assistant Principal for Mission, Megan Pryor Lorentz at mpryorlorentz@siprep.org, for more information.

Frosh Retreat

• Frosh Retreat is a one day retreat where first-year students will spend time at St. Anthony’s Foundation, learning and being present to the community there. This retreat consists of a service experience at St. Anthony’s followed by retreat activities at SI. Recognizing our partnership with parents in the education and formation of our students, the retreat includes a component to facilitate interaction among parents and students on the evening of the retreat. It will include reflection, dinner, and prayer. Our expectation is that at least one parent (or an adult who is a close friend or family member) will be with us at St. Ignatius the evening of the retreat.
• Frosh will be assigned a retreat date based on their Religious Studies class. Each retreat group is approximately 18-20 students. Permissions slips and more information will be distributed the week before each retreat in religious studies classes.
• Please contact Luke Hansen with any questions - lhansen@siprep.org

Sophomore Retreat

• Sophomore Retreat is a two-day, overnight retreat. Sophomores will leave from SI on a bus and spend two days at San Damiano Retreat Center. Soph Retreat will focus on building community with your peers and finding time to pause and reflect. This is a mandatory retreat for SI students and a graduation requirement.
• There will be ten different sophomore retreats throughout the year and sophomores will be assigned a retreat date based on availability. All sophomores must sign-up for the retreat by September 1st on Canvas.
• Please contact Sharon Brannen with any questions - sbrannen@siprep.org

Kairos Retreat

Kairos retreats are offered to the entire Senior class! There is also an opportunity in June for rising seniors to attend. Kairos is a highlight of the SI experience for many students!

The Kairos Retreat Program has been in existence since 1965. It was originally adapted from the Christian Awakening Program designed by a team of priests, religious, and lay people. They planned and worked on the program for one year under the direction of Rev. Douglas L. Brown of the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y.. Kairos was modeled after the Cursillo retreat but adapted for teenagers. In 1968, it was been adopted by St. Xavier High School in Louisville through the ministry of Brother Bill Riegel (who worked with the Brooklyn Program), Brother Martin Moran of the Diocese of Richmond, and from Brothers Gerard Boylan, Richard Angarola and Edward Driscoll.

Since the Cursillo movement has roots in Ignatian spirituality, many Jesuits schools eventually incorporated the program into their retreat programs. From St. Xavier in Louisville the program was adapted for Jesuit high schools by faculty from St. Ignatius High School in Chicago, IL. Several modifications particular to SI's program have been made over the years. It is the opinion of the facilitators of the Kairos program at SI that these changes promote the faith and life of the students at our school and have emerged from the experience of implementing this program. Moreover, more specific Ignatian language and themes have been highlighted in the SI program. Furthermore, student leadership and training has developed extensively since an adaptation of the program was first attempted at SI.

Please contact Mr. Chad Evans with any questions - cevans@siprep.org.