Retreats



Freshman Retreat - The freshman retreat kicks-off each school year, occurring the day before the start of school each August.  Staffed by campus ministers, faculty, and senior leaders (ie, Big Reds), the retreat aims to welcome our newest Pioneers to the Saint John's community, and to introduce the freshman class to Xaverian spirituality and service.  The retreat typically takes place both on campus in Shrewsbury, and off campus at Brigham Hill Community Farm in Grafton.



Storm - Based on the stories of the 'Storm at Sea' and the 'Walking on Water,' the sophomore retreat aims to provide students with an opportunity to reflect on, discuss, and pray over the 'stormy places' in their lives.  Conducted off campus and led by campus ministers, faculty, and selected senior leaders, Storm provides opportunities for guided meditation, large group presentations, small group discussions, retreat-related games, recreation, and nourishment.



Kairos - Open to juniors and seniors, Kairos is a highly-effective and popular four-day retreat offered at numerous high schools and universities across the nation.  The retreat focuses on students' relationships with self, others, and God.  Kairos is staffed by campus ministers, faculty, and selected senior leaders.  The senior leaders give all major presentations on the retreat (eg - Life Graph, Friendship, Love, God's Friendship, Obstacles to God's Friendship, Living the 4th, etc.); campus ministers and faculty leaders facilitate small group discussion following each major presentation, and also lead retreatants in morning, evening, and night prayer each day.  Various other activities related to the Kairos themes are also included throughout the days of retreat, together with ample time for rest and recreation.  Most recently, Saint John's has offered Kairos at the Craigville Retreat and Conference Center on the Cape.



SJLI (Saint John's Leadership Institute) - Offered two weeks prior to the start of school each August, SJLI typically attracts more than half the senior class--and in effect is both a retreat and a unique bonding experience for students immediately prior to senior year.  Over the course of four days, SJLI aims to help rising seniors hone their discernment and decision-making skills as they enter a truly pivotal year, a year in which they are called upon to make decisions whose effects will affect the very course of their lives.