High School Chaplaincy Retreat

The last weekend in August approximately 25 students gathered at the Hanifl Center for the annual Chaplaincy retreat. The weekend was based around the movie "Joshua," a 'what if?' movie that imagines what would happen if Jesus came back to a present day small rural, town. The primary theme that emerges is that the main message of the Gospel is that of love; the love of God, love for each other and love of self. Students explored what that means in their own lives.

Another portion of the retreat involved a work project at the Hanifl Center. Several students along with Chaplain Tim Eby-McKenzie, cleared rock out of an area that will be used to build composting sheds. Some of the students committed to seeing the project through to the end by coming back on Saturday mornings to work alongside Rev. Eby-McKenzie.

Of course, a retreat can't be complete without fun! Saturday morning was spent in group games to help each person get to know the others. It culminated in a newspaper clothing contest which included warriors, a Hawaiian hula dancer, a young man in a sari and creative but unknown attire for several.

Chaplaincy retreats are part of the school's Chaplaincy Program. Each year voluntary retreats are offered for students from grades 7 upwards. Mandatory religious education retreats are provided for grades 3 through 6 as an extension of the RE curriculum.