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Class Retreats
The Pius XI Freshman Retreat is a one-day experience held at Pius XI, planned and facilitated by Pius XI seniors who are invested in introducing the newest students to the ways of a community that models the values of Jesus Christ. It is a day that builds memories, broadens social circles, and introduces many students to the fulfilling experience of providing service to others.
The day starts with small-group service experiences. Those experiences are reflected upon and processed with a series of engaging activities and discussions led by the Seniors. Mass is celebrated for the freshmen during the day.
Sophomores can attend an optional two-day retreat held at the Pallottine Retreat Center on weekdays during the school term. Sophomore retreats are formed around the parable of the Prodigal Son and provide an opportunity for community building and reflection that is difficult to achieve amidst the hustle and bustle of a regular school day. Students attend morning classes and leave midday via Pius XI provided bus transportation. Students stay overnight at the Retreat Center and return on the next day with bus transportation back to Pius before the end of the school day.
Faculty and Kairos Retreat alumni take students through a mix of small and large group experiences focused on intentional living centered around the wisdom of the Gospel. It’s meant to help students ground their choices in Christ. Mass is celebrated on the first evening of each retreat session.
Sophomores can register for their chosen retreat time during the end of the fall semester; cost of retreat is $75.
The Junior retreat is a new addition to the retreat offerings at Pius XI in 2021-22. Juniors can attend this optional, two-day retreat held at St. Vincent Pallotti Retreat Center in Elkhorn, WI on weekdays during the school term. Students attend morning classes and leave midday via Pius XI provided bus transportation. Students stay overnight at the Retreat Center and return on the next day with bus transportation back to Pius before the end of the school day.
The theme for the Junior retreat will be developed by a team of Seniors, Faculty, and Alumni. Juniors can sign up for the retreat during the end of the fall semester. The cost of the retreat is $75.
In an effort to strengthen the spiritual formation of students, Pius XI introduced the Kairos model of retreats to the school in February of 2011 – and it has been met with phenomenal success. Open to seniors, this voluntary retreat typically attracts more than half of the Senior class!
Kairos is based upon the Cursillo Movement from Spain and is largely a student-led retreat. With carefully prepared witness talks and the creation of an emotionally safe space, students build community through sharing their deepest hopes and worries. Kairos is based upon present moment experiences. To honor this intention, the retreat team gives various talks on important themes. Each talk is then followed by an opportunity to reflect on the material in a small group setting, or in an “open podium” forum. Each day begins and ends in common prayer. Retreatants are also encouraged to spend significant time in private prayer and reflection.
The goal is for retreatants to…
The Pius XI Kairos retreats are held at Conference Point Center in Lake Geneva. The retreat begins on Wednesday evening and runs through early Friday evening. Cost of the retreat is $150.
