Each year, the overnight Junior and Senior retreats give students a valuable opportunity to step away from daily routines, disconnect from their phones, and spend intentional time building community and reflecting on their faith lives. These retreats require significant planning and care, and they would not be possible without the generosity and commitment of our CRSM staff volunteers.
Teachers and staff – typically from many different departments around the school – give up evenings of their own, nights away from home, and full days from busy personal and professional schedules in order to be present for students. Their willingness to do so speaks volumes. Throughout the retreats, they help supervise activities, support small groups, and provide a calm, steady presence that allows students to feel safe and supported.
Spending time together outside the classroom opens the door for deeper connections. Viviana Vasquez, the new Director of Admissions and CRSM ‘16 alum, shared how meaningful that time was for her:
“As a new staff member, I really appreciate the opportunity to get to know the students, particularly when they don’t have their phones. They are invited out of their element to connect to one another in a new way. Watching them go sledding and play on the frozen lake was such wholesome fun. They were all laughing and enjoying themselves. It was sweet.”
Moments like sledding, shared meals, and group activities may seem simple, but they are powerful. They create space for joy, independence, and authentic community. Staff volunteers help make these moments possible by choosing to be fully present with students, even when it means time away from their own routines and families.
“The retreats are certainly centered on the students and their opportunities to grow in faith and connection with classmates, but the hope is that these opportunities are also ‘retreats,’ in a way, for the staff who attend,” said Jim Dippold, Director of Campus Ministry. “They are wonderful opportunities to accompany our students, continuing to grow in our appreciation for the amazing young men and women that our students are, and a deeper awareness of God’s presence and grace working through the CRSM community. We couldn’t offer the retreats we do to our students without the wonderful generosity of staff who attend.”
We are deeply grateful to the adults who choose to give their time, energy, and presence to our Junior and Senior retreats. Their commitment enhances our students’ experience and helps make each retreat meaningful and memorable.