St. Dominic students have to attend a retreat every year of high school to graduate. There are four required retreats, one for every year, but there are other retreats provided to go on. There are two other retreats offered at St. Dominic, the Head of House (HOH) retreat and Peer Ministry retreat. Both of these retreats make significant impacts on student lives by bringing them closer to God, their classmates, and teachers.
“The most impactful thing about the Peer Ministry retreat was hearing from all my classmates and what they had to say about their relationship with God,” Peer Minister Riley Lynch said.
Not only do these retreats bring people closer to God, but they also bring people closer to their peers and faculty members. These retreats also teach students how to become impactful leaders and help them learn how to become positive role models for the younger students. To be a Peer Minister and a HOH is such an honor and it takes a lot of commitment, but it really shows those who are dedicated to serving our community.
“Being a HOH means being a leader and someone people younger than me look up to. Also being someone to comfort and bring others together,” HOH Madelyn Wagner said.
These retreats set aside special time for prayer, reflection, and growth. People grow not only closer to God, but closer to their peers. During these retreats, there are multiple team bonding activities to build relationships with other students and teachers, making everyone grow closer together. Many leave this retreat feeling fulfilled and spiritually connected with God, but some take this opportunity for granted.
“During the retreat, we had done multiple activities. Many involved how all the HOH’s could work together based on our strengths. We did a lot of team bonding and thinking strategically. And in our free time, we spend time outside all together and learning about each other,” HOH Madelyn Wagner said.
Going on these retreats pushes people to be the best version of themselves, while putting on a brave face for others and making sure others need to go before their own. This means that even if someone is having a bad day, and they may be struggling, the leaders still have to help others and help their relationship grow with God. There are so many opportunities to grow relationships with God, like going to mass, becoming a peer minister, becoming a HOH, and numerous other opportunities to become a leader and to grow relationships with God.
“I would recommend doing peer ministry, because it helps you get out of your comfort zone and also strengthen your love for God,” Peer Minister Riley Lynch said.
Some people may think that a school retreat is a punishment, but in reality it is a blessing in disguise. It’s a special way to make deeper connections with peers, faculty, and God. These retreats also help make life-long friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. Retreats are an experience that will stay with people forever, especially when its some peoples’ last retreats and memories with this group of people.
