Overview of Retreat Experiences
Padua’s Franciscan charism fosters a spirit of unity in order to respect and celebrate the gifts of every person, ensuring everyone feels part of our Franciscan family. For high school students in their most formative years, Padua is much more than a school – it’s a family. Each year, Padua students go on retreat to dive more deeply into the Four Pillars of Franciscan Spirituality that Padua rolled out in Fall 2022 – We Pray, We Care, We Serve, and We Bring Peace.
Freshman Retreat
The Freshman Retreat, “We Bring Peace,” focuses on each student’s relationship with family, friends, self and God.
Sophomore Retreat
The Sophomore Retreat, “We Serve,” has a theme of discipleship and service. Students participate in service projects at various agencies in the Greater Cleveland area, and then, share about their experiences.
Junior Retreat
The Junior Retreat, “We Pray,” explores the various ways to pray, and the need for prayer in our lives.
Kairos Retreat
Kairos, an optional retreat for juniors, is led by a student Kairos team with witnesses given by students and faculty. Since 1998, Padua has offered the Kairos retreat. We just celebrated our 50th one!
Senior Retreats
The Senior Retreat, “We Care,” invites students to spend time outdoors engaging in activities such as hiking, fishing, birdwatching or kayaking, as they reflect on their high school journeys and explore their relationships with the Creator God.