Middle School and High School Retreats

In the sixth grade, youth begin to be accountable for their spiritual growth as part of their Catholic commitment. Of course their spiritual growth is a lifelong endeavor!

The Christian Formation program requires Middle School and High School youth to complete 1 retreat per year through the parish. If a youth cannot attend a parish retreat, he/she is expected to make another retreat on his/her own.

Please use the Service and Retreat Log to record the times that you have gone on retreat. If you are unsure about an activity, talk to a Christian Formation staff person. The biggest criteria is taking time to open yourself to an experience of God’s transforming love.

Some of the retreats offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Check out How To Go To Confession, Video: Confession 101, and the Examination of Conscience for High School Youth. You can print out the Act of Contrition and bring it with you! You can also have it on your phone – download or use the free app Laudate.

Retreats also sometimes include praying the Rosary. Check out How to Pray the Rosary.

 

Retreats for 2023-2024

Grades 6 to 10 – Choose 1 or more…

Grades 9 & 10

NET Retreat -- Friday, October 20, from 5 to 9 pm at Saint James Parish in Menomonee Falls. NET stands for National Evangelization Teams. Teams of young adults, ages 18 to 29, devote a year to leading youth retreats around the country. Our Faith Formation Intern, Ellie Shaw, was on NET for a year -- she recommends their retreats! Includes dinner. The theme is True Presence (Eucharist). Is Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist, and, if so, how does that change our lives? The life of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a teenager who is on his way to becoming a canonized saint, answers those questions by showing us that we don’t need to be very old to recognize the beauty and utmost importance of the Eucharist. Sign up TBA.

Grades 6 to 10

Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion -- Saturday, October 7, from 8 am to 5 pm. Visit the only approved Marian apparition site in the United States -- just northeast of Green Bay. Includes a coach bus, Mass, a box lunch, a speaker from The Nat'l Shrine, and time to explore. Forms are available in the Gathering Space. Each family needs to turn in the registration form on the back of the flyer because there are lunch selections. Each MS and HS teen without a parent needs to turn in a permission slip. Youth fees are covered by Faith Formation. Forms are due by Sunday, September 17.

Narnia Retreat, Part II -- Saturday, February 3, at QOA from 10 am to 3 pm. Includes lunch. If you liked the Narnia Retreat we held a couple of years ago, you may be interested in Part II. That said, having attended the prior Narnia Retreat is not required! C.S. Lewis, the author of the Chronicles of Narnia, infused the Chronicles with Christian symbolism. We'll explore that symbolism by watching the movie, "Prince Caspian." The movie will be unpacked with engaging discussion questions, activities, and references to Scripture -- all based on a resource from Crossway. Sign up TBA.

Easter Vigil Encounter – Saturday, March 30, at QOA from 6 to 10 pm. We will participate in the Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30 pm, including The Service of Light and The Liturgy of Baptism. Surrounding the service, we will remember Jesus’ Last Supper, agony in the garden, arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection with movies, music, and other activities. Includes dinner before and dessert after the Easter Vigil Mass. The Mass does fulfill your Sunday obligation. Adult chaperones are encouraged. You must be willing to meet the Safe Environment requirements. Training is available. Sign up TBA.

Confirmation (usually Grade 11)