Retreats

Overview of Retreat Experiences

Campus Ministry provides each student the opportunity to experience a yearly class retreat.  Retreat experiences are facilitated by the Campus Ministry Team, various Faculty/Staff Members and Peer Ministers. Campus Ministry strives to meet the spiritual and developmental need of the students.

Padua has the most comprehensive retreat program in the area. Students will participate in a retreat every year that focuses on developing relationships with each other and God. Since 1998, we have been offering the Kairos Retreat to our Juniors. Senior year, students can choose from eight different retreat options, from backpacking and biking to canoeing and hiking.

Summary of Annual Retreats

Freshman Retreat

The Freshman Retreat is a one day retreat that has a focus on each student’s relationship with Family, Friends, Self, and God.  This retreat is led by Faculty and Peer Ministers.

Sophomore Retreat

The Sophomore Retreat is a one day retreat with a theme of Discipleship and Service.  Students participate in service projects at various agencies in the Greater Cleveland area and share their experience of performing service.

We explore Jn. 13:1-17 and 1 Cor. 12:4-13 and reflect on the idea that we are all part of the Body of Christ. We may have different talents and gifts but the same Spirit gifts us all.

Junior Retreat

Junior Retreat

The Junior Retreat explores the various ways to pray and the need for prayer in our lives.  Students will get the chance to experience prayer in a variety of ways both formal and informal.

Kairos Retreat (for juniors)

Kairos is an intensive witness-based retreat for juniors. The retreat is led by a Senior Kairos team with witnesses given by students and faculty. The three or four day retreat is held at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Parma.

Senior Retreats

Seniors can select one of the following eight options.

Various activities give the seniors the opportunity to…*Grow in knowledge of self  * Grow closer to friends  *Grow closer to God

Art and Nature

Students are given the opportunity to reflect on God’s presence as we spend the day in the beautiful MetroParks. Through community building activities, hiking and art experiences, this becomes a powerful retreat experience.  Students are able to spend time deciding what parts of their life they wish to carry with them into the future, as well as the things currently in the lives they wish to change.  A peaceful time to hear their Creator guiding.

Biking

The Biking Retreat follows the Towpath through scenic Peninsula. Seniors reflect on their journey through high school. Faculty and students bike together, stopping occasionally to hear a witness talk which helps students reflect on God’s love.  Students experience a healing service that focuses on the ministry of St. Clare.

Camp-Hike

Senior Hiking Retreat

What do you carry throughout your life journey? The Camp-Hike Retreat helps students reflect on what they carry in their heart as they journey through high school and embark on their journey into the future. The retreat challenges the students to hike about 8 miles.

 Girls of Grace

The Girls of Grace Retreat helps young women to reflect on what it means to be a Woman of God. Seniors are invited to reflect on what they have learned at Padua Franciscan High School. They consider the people that have influenced their lives and who have helped to form them into the women that they are today. The seniors are given a chance to consider what they wish to carry with them into the future as well as reflect on the things in their lives they wish to leave behind. The young women are asked to pause and prayerfully consider the type of person they wish to be in the future and how they are working towards that goal today.

Hiking

Senior Hiking Trip

The Hiking Retreat takes students to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  Seniors reflect on their journey through high school and their life so far.  Faculty and students hike together, share together and pray together as they reflect on God’s love.  Students are invited to experience a healing service that focuses on the ministry of St. Clare.

Leap of Faith – Zip Line

Seniors are invited to reflect on their life through team building experiences at Camp Cheerful and a zip lining opportunity at Go Ape, in Strongsville. Students are invited to look back on their life thus far and gain courage to ‘let go’ and rely on the ‘belay systems’ of their lives as they begin their future after high school.

 

 

Men of Faith

The Male Spirituality Retreat, held at Camp Cheerful in Strongsville, helps young men to reflect on what it means to be a Man of God. Seniors are invited to reflect on what they have learned at Padua Franciscan High School. They consider the people that have influenced their lives and who helped form them into the men that they are today. The seniors are given a chance to reflect on what they wish to carry with them into the future, as well as the things in their lives they wish to leave behind. The senior men are asked to prayerfully discern the type of person they wish to be in the future and how they are working towards that goal today.

Urban Plunge

Seniors choosing this retreat will travel to the inner city for a day-long opportunity to serve the poor in the Cleveland area.  The Urban Plunge Retreat helps students reflect on what they carry in their heart and challenges them to discern how God is calling them to serve.  The retreat draws to a close with a visit to the Capuchin Volunteer House where these seniors will reflect on their experiences during the day and participate in an evening prayer service with the Capuchin Community.