Retreats

For all of the latest photos of retreats at Del:

A retreat is a great opportunity to take a much-needed break from the busyness of life to reflect, pray, deepen your relationship with Christ, and to take an honest look at where you’re at in life. Retreats offer moments of healing and immense growth as we dive deeper into understanding the desires of our hearts.

As per past years, each grade will be scheduled to attend a retreat during the school year. This year, we are introducing a new retreat program theme called, The Hero’s Journey. This concept is a common story structure (twelve stages) that screenwriters use to share the story of the hero – a character who is called out of their ordinary world to go on an adventure, complete a mission, and return home transformed. This formula is very similar to God’s calling and purpose for each of us in our own lives. We are all called to live a “Hero’s Journey.”

Seeing as we began a new retreat program, we launched a new “retreat leader” program as well. A few gr. 11 & 12 students from our Lasallian Youth Team train throughout the year to lead our gr. 5-9 retreats. As Saint Pope John Paul II said,

“The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with Him in the building of the civilization of love.”

Grade-Level Retreat Breakdown

Grade 5

Theme: The Hero’s Journey – Stage 1: The Ordinary World

What is The Ordinary World?

· This stage allows the audience to get to know the hero before the journey begins (where did they come from? Likes? Dislikes? Hobbies? Strengths? Weaknesses?). The audience experiences the journey through the hero’s eyes and finds their connection to the hero.

The Ordinary World…In our journeys with Christ

1. What was our “ordinary world”? The Creation Story! Truths of Creation – we were created by God in His Image and likeness, to be in relationship with Him, and in harmony with all of Creation.

2. The Fall of Humanity – God created humanity with free will in order for humanity’s love to be true and freedom to be full – but that brings with it the possibility of choosing evil, or not-God. We need a Saviour!

3. What role do we play in the Creation story? We are called to be heroes! We always need to keep moving towards Christ and to share His love with others.

Grade 6

Theme: The Hero’s Journey – Stage 2: The Call to Adventure

What is The Call to Adventure?

· Something in the ordinary world is thrown off-balance. A “need” arises. The hero receives a special call to go on a quest and serve that “need.”

· The hero needs to make a decision – staying in the comfort of their home OR saying “yes” to the call that only they can do.

The Call to Adventure…In our journeys with Christ

1. Recap of Stage 1: The Ordinary World & The Creation Story. In order for there to be a call, there must be a “need”. God created us in His Image and Likeness, but because of the Fall of humanity; sin broke that relationship, and this created a “need”. We need a Saviour.

2. God has a plan for each of us. We can figure out what we’re called to do by listening to the Holy Spirit.

3. How do we know what is right? The virtue of prudence helps us choose what is right in every situation and do what is good in the best way.

Grade 7

Theme: The Hero’s Journey – Stage 3 & 4: The Refusal of the Call & Meeting the Mentor

What is The Refusal of the Call?

· At this stage, the hero hears the call, but is reluctant to say “yes” because of fears or insecurities that have surfaced.

What is Meeting the Mentor?

· The hero meets a mentor – someone who has walked a similar path as the hero. The mentor shares insight, gives advice, and training to help the hero prepare for the journey.

The Refusal of the Call & Meeting the Mentor…In our journeys with Christ

1. Holiness means to be set apart for God. When we live in the love of God and reject worldly substitutes and counterfeits of love, we begin our journey of becoming holy.

2. With God’s help, we can live courageously as Jesus did, sacrificing for the most important things in life, and choosing what God wants for us even when it is hard or no one else is doing it. The virtue of fortitude helps us persevere when things are difficult and choose what is good even when it is hard.

3. Who are the people in our lives who have strived for holiness, struggled but made it to Heaven, that we can turn to for help? We have Heavenly mentors (Saints, the Holy Family, Martyrs etc.) and “modern day saints” (people on earth), to help us along the way.

Grade 8

Theme: The Hero’s Journey – Stage 5: Crossing the Threshold

What is Crossing the Threshold?

· Despite any fears or nerves, the hero finally commits to the journey.

· Some sort of event takes place that throws the hero into the mission.

Crossing the Threshold…In our journeys with Christ

1. How did we get her? Whether we understand it or not, we’re created for a purpose. There’s a need that we are called to serve. There may be fears that keep us from saying “yes,” but there are people along the way who can help us.

2. God gives us free will. We can say “no,” but we have a responsibility to fulfill our mission and save souls.

3. At Camp Brebeuf, students will be able to physically put into practice what it means to take a “leap of Faith” and commit to a mission. Through various outdoor activities, the students will be challenged and will learn that although they may never feel ready; we are called to have Faith, trust, and to be obedient.

Grade 9

Theme: The Hero’s Journey – Stage 6: Tests, Allies, and Enemies

What are Tests, Allies, and Enemies?

· Having crossed the threshold, the hero needs to figure out who can be trusted – ALLIES are earned, a friend/sidekick may join.

· The hero encounters ENEMIES – those who cannot be trusted. The rival reveals more about the hero.

· The TEST stage helps the hero gain the skills needed to complete the mission.

Tests, Allies, and Enemies…In our journeys with Christ

1. No vocation is lived in isolation – for many of us, our friends are some of the most important people in our lives. How are friends a means to grow closer to God and to help us discover our calling?

2. What does it mean to have a virtuous friendship? – Friendship should be a model of Christ’s sacrificial love.

3. Our world is a battlefield. By forming a “battle plan,” we attain a routine of prayer and a route of action when we find ourselves in times of spiritual conflict.

Grade 10

Theme: The Hero’s Journey – Stage 7 & 8: The Approach & The Ordeal

What is The Approach?

· The hero makes final preparations to the “inmost cave” …in other words, the hero’s heart.

What is The Ordeal?

· At this stage, there is a central crisis in which the hero confronts his greatest fear.

The Approach & The Ordeal…In our journeys with Christ

1. Who does God say that we are: Our identity is first and foremost found in God; it is not dependant on our performances or failures.

2. Our emotions are an important part of who we are. Emotions are a gift from God. We are responsible for acknowledging how we feel and how we express those emotions.

3. Healing: Importance of sharing your story – our wounds are where we’re called to serve.

Grade 11

Theme: The Hero’s Journey – Stage 9 & 10: The Reward & The Road Back

What is The Reward?

· The hero confronts their fears and earns what they came for.

What is The Road Back?

· The hero begins the journey back home. The hero’s success and interior transformation may make it difficult to return.

The Reward & The Road Back…In our journeys with Christ

1. Recognizing our interior transformation – by the end of the hero’s journey, the hero is not the same personas they were at the beginning. The hero’s transformation may make it difficult to return to “ordinary” life.

2. As Christians, our hero’s journey ultimately trains and purifies us to strive for Holiness. Holiness means to be set apart for God. It is dangerous to the status quo because the presence of holy people challenges mediocrity and inspires extraordinary living. Our lives are dangerous because our lives are different when lived in Christ, and that’s a good thing!

3. By being holy and living differently, we cause people to come face to face with how they are living and to ask themselves “am I living right, am I missing something?” Practical Application: How do we live this out in our friendships and relationships?

Grade 12

Theme: The Hero’s Journey – Stage 11 & 12: The Resurrection & The Return with the Elixir

What is The Resurrection?

· The hero faces the climactic ordeal ordeal that purifies, redeems, and transforms the hero on the way home.

What is The Return with the Elixir?

· The hero has an incredible story to share when they return home.

The Resurrection & The Return with the Elixir…In our journeys with Christ

1. What’s your story? Stories are powerful learning tools. They act as a witness for many things including how God moves in our lives.

2. We are all called to disciple and to evangelize. You never know how your story will impact someone else.

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