Retreats
A LETTER FROM OUR RETREAT DIRECTOR:
If you have ever received an email from me (lucky you!), you’ll notice that my email signature includes a quote from one of my favorite writers and spiritual guides, Fr. Henri Nouwen. He writes,
In Scripture God says, 'I have loved you with an everlasting love.'
This is a very fundamental truth of your identity. This is who you are whether you feel it or not. You belong to God from eternity to eternity. Life is just a little opportunity for you during a few years to say, 'I love you, too.'" When I go into class meetings or theology classrooms to pitch our incredible retreat program to the students, I always pose this question to them, “Do you know who you are?” A rhetorical question, of course, but one that nevertheless gives them great pause as they consider such a profound question. And every time I ask, I wonder if they would respond as Fr. Henri Nouwen writes in the quote above. Do they know that their ultimate identity is that of love? Do they know that they belong to God, that they are each God’s beloved? I would guess for many of them that this might not be their first response. And understandably so. This is the human condition; we have forgotten or failed to see who we are. Amid our brokenness and in the face of life’s distractions, stresses, and difficulties, it is far too easy to forget who we are and what we are about: people created out of love and for love – to love and to be loved.
As a proud graduate of Assumption High School, my fellow sister alumni and I were given a tremendous gift through Assumption's four retreat program — a gift to remember who we are and an opportunity to say, “I love you, too” to the One who loved us first. A gift that continues to be given to current and future generations of Assumption students. It is truly one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve as the Retreat Director for this school community that formed me into the woman I am today. As was shared with me as a student by countless teachers, staff, and classmates, I look forward to sharing God’s love with your student and helping them remember “the fundamental truth of their identity” as God’s beloved!
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Our Four-Year Retreat Program
Freshman Year: “Be Real”
Freshman retreat focuses on helping students discover a greater sense of self – who she is in the eyes of God - and navigate the transition from grade school to high school. The theme of the freshman retreat is "Be Real", based on the beloved children's book, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. Through this two-day retreat, students participate in small- and large-group activities, hear and reflect on meaningful and inspirational talks from a well-trained team of faculty and Senior student leaders, connect with classmates, build a strong sense of community and most importantly, recognize her "real" self — a beloved child of God.
Sophomore Year: “Christian Leadership - Love in Action”
Having laid the foundation of better understanding her “real” self in the freshmen retreat, sophomore retreat offers students the opportunity to identify their unique gifts God has given them to serve others. The theme of this retreat is “Christian Leadership – Love in Action”, which emphasizes that each student is called to be a Christian Leader: to use her particular gifts, given by God, to love and serve those she encounters in her life. Through this two-day retreat, students participate in a low ropes course, engage in small- and large-group activities, complete a “Spiritual Gifts Inventory”, and hear and reflect on meaningful and inspirational talks from a well-trained team of faculty and Junior student leaders.
Junior Year: “Listen with Your Heart”
Junior retreat focuses on communication and relationships; how we communicate and nurture relationships with our families, our friends, ourselves, and our God. Students are encouraged to listen deeply and respect the sense of self in others. Through this two-day retreat, students participate in small- and large-group activities, hear and reflect on meaningful and inspirational talks from a well-trained team of faculty, and engage in personal reflection that asks them to consider God’s movement in their lives.
Senior Year: “The Rose” – Christian Awakening
The senior retreat, known as the Christian Awakening, is a transformative four-day, three-night experience at Mount Saint Francis. When the Christian Awakening Retreat was developed in 1965, its sole mission was and remains to be the following: “A deepening experience in one’s Christian life. The retreatant will not leave the retreat with a lot of answers, but hopefully, she will have a greater awareness of herself, others, and God” (The Office of Youth Retreats, Archdiocese of Louisville. The ‘Christian Awakening’ Program. Based on The ‘Christian Awakening’ Program by Rev. Douglas L. Brown, Diocese of Brooklyn, 1965.) This retreat invites students to reflect on their identity, purpose, and the decisions that lie ahead after high school. Through prayer, personal reflection, and meaningful talks, students are drawn in to being awoken to who they are: beloved children of God.
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Guided by Those Who Know Assumption Best
Retreats at Assumption are led by the very people who help shape our students every day—dedicated faculty and staff, senior student leaders, and engaged alumnae. Together, they create a welcoming environment where students can step away from the demands of daily life, deepen their faith, strengthen relationships, and discover the unique gifts God has given them. This multigenerational approach allows students to learn from women who have walked the same halls, faced similar challenges, and experienced the transformative power of an Assumption education.
Help Shape the Next Generation of Rockets
Assumption alumnae play a vital role in our retreat program by sharing their stories, faith, and encouragement with students. Whether your graduation was five years ago or fifty, your experience has the power to impact a young Rocket's journey. Ready to give back in a meaningful way? We invite you to complete our Retreat Leader Interest Form and join us in continuing Assumption's tradition of faith, leadership, and sisterhood.