Campus Ministry

There are two retreats for 9th grade students annually. The first is a “mini retreat” held during their initial 9th Grade Welcome Week on campus. The second occurs in the fall of each academic year. 

The 9th Grade Mini-Retreat is a brief introduction to retreats and creates time and space for students to decompress from the busyness of their first week of school by 1) having some fun via ice breakers and meet-and-greet activities, 2) getting to know a few of their classmates on a deeper level, and 3) spending some time in reflection.

The annual 9th Grade Retreat focuses on our Jesuit Values of Finding God in All Things and Cura Personalis. We have been partnering with the Association Retreat Center (aka The ARC)  in Osceola, Wisconsin for a number of years for this retreat. Led by our Senior Ignite Leaders, this retreat typically occurs toward the end of the first month of school and is time for 9th Graders to take a break from the busyness of the start to their high school years, connect with each other, get to know some Senior leaders and think ahead about their futures, and reflect on their first month of school. This retreat extends beyond the school day as students eat lunch and dinner at the retreat center before returning to campus.

Led by our Ignite Team and other community partners, students in 10th grade have a day-long retreat that focuses on the Jesuit values of Cura Personalis and MAGIS. Students spend the day at the University of St. Thomas and take some time to learn about, reflect upon, and practice care for their MIND, BODY, and SPIRIT. Cura personalis is about caring for the whole person, so students engage in some activities and practices for their own wellness, and they also spend time reflecting on what it means to care for the whole person of others.

Students in 11th grade participate in a day-long retreat that promotes the Jesuit values of Service to Others and gives them a chance to practice being Contemplatives in Action. They spend time learning about a social justice issue(s) as a class and are then sent forth to engage in service experiences throughout the Twin Cities. Upon returning from their service experiences, they engage in reflection and contemplation and begin to discern possible areas of concern and social justice issues they want to address in their Junior/Senior service project. The Ignite team leads this retreat along with various community partners for the service experiences.

All Seniors participate in a three-day, two night retreat offered at multiple times during their Senior year. This retreat, known as Kairos, is led by student leaders who go through an intensive formation process to become Kairos Leaders. Kairos gives Seniors a chance to reflect on their high school experiences and to spend time connecting with God, others, and themselves as they prepare for their next major transition after graduation. They prepare to “Live the 4th” and are reminded of St. Ignatius’ call to “go forth and set the world on fire."

In addition, in May of Senior Year, the Ignite Team leads their peers in a Senior Examen Retreat which involves looking back on their 4 years at Cristo Rey and again prepares them to be sent forth after graduation.