Marquette Catholic High School Service Learning Retreat September 13, 14 and 15, 2017
Description: Marquette Catholic High School Service Learning Retreat General Overview & Purpose Marquette Catholic High School s Service Retreat Program engages students in a 2 ½ day journey into the world of service. The retreats focus on developing empathy, teamwork and knowledge of social justice. Students work for the Common Good servicing the homeless and feeding the poor. The retreats afford students opportunities to grow spiritually and in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Speakers, experiences and reflections combine to offer students a unique insight in giving of one s self for others. Day one begins in the late afternoon. Our focus is building relationships and knowledge among retreat participants. Objectives are articulated and students begin their journey by sharing a meal. Day two affords participants opportunities to engage in a day of service, followed by an evening of reflection. Day three, participants continue the process of analysis, learn about the Two Feet of Love in Action, explore ideas for future action, and prayerfully learn how to put what they have learned into practice. Retreat Goals: Reflect on how the Eucharist calls us. Engage in concrete acts of service which are interactive. Develop a deeper understanding of issues faced by persons who are vulnerable. Engage in analysis to understand the root causes of problems and issues in the light of our Catholic faith. Prayerfully identify actions to take in response.
Service Retreat Marquette Catholic High School Itinerary September 13, 14, 15, 2017 20 students/2 adult leaders Facilitator: Principal, James White Location: Lourdes Student Center 4220 North Sheridan Road Chicago, IL 60613 September 13, 2017 1:30PM 3:00PM Depart Marquette Arrive at Retreat Center-Welcome & Icebreaker Introduction of Retreat leaders Briefly go over schedule and goals for the retreat. Tell retreatants where bathrooms are located and stress the importance of being on time when returning from breaks. We will begin with a couple of ice-breakers. This is important because as Catholics, we believe that we become who we are in relationship with others. We are not solitary, isolated individuals but members of one human family. We learn and grow from one another. Icebreakers: Icebreaker #1: The mingling Game Icebreaker #2: TBA 3:30PM Gathering Prayer Through our Christian Baptism we were called into membership in the community of the Church and called by God to be sent on His mission. Light candle and welcome the presence of God
Please be aware of the presence of God as we read from the Gospel of John I am the vine, you are the branches Pass out copies of Baptism : Incorporated into Christ s Body, Sent on Christ s Mission. Instruct participants to read the handout in silence, underlining any work, idea or phrase that stands out to them (5-8 minutes) Ask participants to share After a few minutes of sharing, pause for about 15 seconds, then read the following prayer. Loving Father, Open our hearts to hidden realities: Your love for all people, Your presence in the community, Your call to justice and peace. May the sacraments stir in us That same love for those with whom we worship And all members of our human family. Christ Jesus, Help us to imitate your example: Healing the sick, Welcoming the stranger, Assisting the poor and vulnerable. May the sacraments remind us Of your love and self-giving, Which we strive to imitate. Holy Spirit, Make visible to our eyes of faith what is invisible: Your call to your people, Your summons to live our faith daily As witnesses of justice and peace. May the sacraments move us To engage in love-inspired action That transforms us and the world. Amen Source: Sacraments and Social Mission: Living the Gospel, Being Disciples 3:45PM Break-Show retreatants retreat center and to their Bedrooms. Do not unpack yet, just put bags in rooms. 4:00PM Introduce Activity: Reader: Activity: Called-At Home and Around the World
In the words of Pope Francis: Whenever we encounter another person in love, we learn something new about God. Whenever our eyes are opened to acknowledge the other, we grow in the light of faith and knowledge of God (11/24/13) A better world will come about only if attention is first paid to individual; if human promotion is integral, taking account of every dimension of the person, including the spiritual; if no one is neglected, including the poor, the sick, the prisoners, the needy and the stranger; if we can prove capable of leaving behind a throwaway culture and embracing one of encounter and acceptance (8/5/2013, World Day of Migrants and Refugees) Who is part of the throw-away culture in today s world? In our country? In our parish communities? Much of this retreat will focus on those underprivileged in our communities; however, the following activity that we will engage in will focus on the largest community that we are members of-our global community. Consider this question: do you recognize the members of the human family around the globe as true brothers and sisters in Christ? Activity Crossroads of the World Activity (CRS Educational Website) 5:00PM Break 5:15PM Dinner Prayer: Insert prayer for those lacking access to proper food 6:00PM Service Preparation and Reflection Time-Adult Speaker: Deacon Paul-St. Mary s of The Lake Guest Speaker (20 minutes) type up guidelines for service talk, why are we here, possibly a slideshow to inspire thought, feeling..with appropriate music to motivate Question and Answer time (10-15 minutes) Journaling individually (15 minutes) In what ways are the members of our faith community connected to one another? In what ways are you connected to our brothers and sisters that are experiencing injustice globally? Locally? Why are you here? What do you hope to take away from this retreat? What are preconceived notions about poverty and the people in poverty that we may carry with us? What do you look forward to tomorrow? What makes you uncomfortable? After journaling: Ask God for an open heart to encounter the face of Christ in others. End the retreat portion of the first day by giving instructions for tomorrow. What to bring, wear, when to gather and anything else they need to know Be sure to: 1. Focus on listening. When possible, interact and listen to the stories of others. Consider how those people that you interact may be in a different situation, but are still similar to you.
2. Be flexible. Be open to what you are doing, even if it is different than what you expected it to be. Remember that the Holy Spirit works in and through you. 3. Express thanks for the hospitality of our hosts at the sites you visit. 7:30 PM 11:00PM Movie/Social Time Lights out September 14, 2017 8:00AM 8:20AM 9:00AM 4:00PM 5:00PM 6:30PM 6:45PM Chapel-Morning Prayer-Beeler Bring prayer sheets, music, cross and candle Breakfast Depart for Service (lunch-boxed) Return Clean-Up-take a break Dinner and Guest speaker dialogue Prayer: Find a prayer that expresses thanks for the service sites we visited today Dinner first with guest speakers, possibly 3. Three groups of tables, with a speaker at each table. Students should be prepared with questions to discuss with the guests. After dinner, guests will take the floor and give talks on their service organizations, some of the root issues/problems faced at the sites we visited. Answer the question Why does this problem exist? Insight into solutions that their organization s address. Presenter should be given a copy of questions in advance. Break Evening Reflection Journaling Provide list of questions (20-30 minutes) 1. Think back on your day. What images come to mind from today? Describe one or more of them. 2. Think back to your feelings throughout this day. What did you feel when you woke up? During morning prayer? In your first hour at the work site? Write down your feeling starting with this morning all the way to this moment. 3. Who were the people that you met today? Whose stories did you learn? Is there one story that sticks out in your mind?
4. What wisdom did you receive from the dinner conversation and speakers? Did the time this evening help you answer any questions? Or raise new questions? Small Group Sharing (15 minutes) Large Group Discussion- Reader: 1. What was going on in the people s lives that you met during service? What specific problems were they facing that prevented them from overcoming their situation? 2. What did you learn from our speakers and guests this evening about larger issues? Handouts- A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God s Children: A Place at the Table 8:15PM Evening Prayer Reader: Let s bow our heads and put ourselves in the presence of God Multiplication of the Loaves from the Gospel of John 6:1-15 Insert gospel of John here. From the words of Pope Francis: On the altar we adore the Flesh of Jesus; in the people we find the wounds of Jesus. Jesus hidden in the Eucharist and Jesus hidden in these wounds. They need to be heard! The wounds should be heard by those who call themselves Christian. And today, all of us, here, need to say: these wounds must be heard! But there is something that gives us hope. Jesus is present in the Eucharist, here is the Flesh of Jesus; Jesus is present among you, it is the Flesh of Jesus: the wounds of Jesus are present in these people (10/4/2013) Ask for one word or phrase that jumped out at them. Closing Prayer for the Day. Reader: Loving Father, Open our hearts to hidden realities: Your love for all people, Your presence in the community, Your call to justice and peace. May the sacraments stir in us That same love for those with whom we worship and all members of our human family. Christ Jesus, Help us to imitate your example: Healing the sick, Welcoming the stranger, Assisting the poor and vulnerable.
May the sacraments remind us Of your love and self-giving, Which we strive to imitate. Holy Spirit, Make visible to our eyes of faith what is invisible: Your call to your people, Your summons to live our faith daily As witnesses of justice and peace. May the sacraments move us To engage in love-inspired action That transforms us and the world. Amen 8:30PM 11:00PM End of Day 2 Instructions for tomorrow Social Time Lights out September 15, 2017 8:00AM 8:30AM 8:50AM 9:45AM 10:00AM 11:00AM 12:30PM Breakfast Insert prayer-for all the people responsible for providing this meal Morning Prayer In Chapel-Bring: Sheets, music, cross, and candle Prayer and Activity-Walking with The Two Feet of Love in Action Break Mass Depart Return to Marquette