Formation

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.  The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.  But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock." (Mt 7:24-25)

Constant formation and growth in our faith is essential, and Cathedral High School offers opportunities to develop each individual's faith not only through the Religious Studies Department but also through Campus Ministry's retreat program. 

Retreats

The retreat program at Cathedral is designed to give students opportunities to develop spiritually by recognizing God in the people and events of their lives, and by deepening their personal relationship with Jesus. This is one of the most direct ways we fulfill our mission of helping to develop the whole person in each student.

A variety of activities are used to bring students together and to help them reflect on Christian values and teachings: liturgies and prayer services, peer leadership, music, films, presentations, journaling, quiet prayer time, recreation, small and large group discussions.

Freshman Retreat – “Who am I?”

Students on Freshman Retreat will be faced with the question of discovering themselves.  As the "new kids on the block," they have a moment in 9th grade to recreate themselves, surrounded by new and different faces.  Freshman Retreat is a catalyst for freshmen to lay out their goals for their school career.

For the 2009-2010 school year, the Freshman Retreat will take place on the following days: 

About 50 students go on retreat each day at the Saint Catherine of Siena Parish Center in Springfield.  The retreats have been coordinated by an outside group - Adventure In Adventure Out - based in Amherst, MA, with the assistance of some senior CHS students.

Sophomore Retreat – “Whose am I?”

Students on Sophomore Retreat will be given an opportunity to discover God in the needs of others through Christian service. They will become familiarized with the meaning of Christian service, living out the words and example of Jesus in the Gospels. Sophomore retreat is a reminder to the sophomores that we are called to be men and women for others.

For the 2009-2010 school year, the Sophomore Retreat will take place on the following days: 

About 50-60 students go on retreat each day at various service sites throughout the Springfield area.  Each group is accompanied by a faculty/parent chaperone, and each site has on-site staff to educate the students on the services they provide to those in need.

Junior Retreat – “What is my calling?”

Students on Junior Retreat will spiritually assess their individual aspirations in life and come to a better understanding of what it means to have a vocation, a call from God.

For the 2009-2010 school year, the Junior Retreat will take place on: 

Senior Retreat – “How will I respond?”

Students on Senior Retreat will be given an opportunity to reflect on their time at Cathedral High School, looking at the future ahead and how they will respond to God’s call.  They will do this alongside their peers, who serve as retreat leaders.  This retreat is coordinated by New Spirit, Inc.

For the 2009-2010 school year, the Senior Retreat will take place on: 

Continuous Formation

In the near future, Campus Ministry hopes to provide opportunities for continuous faith formation, which goes beyond the retreat experience.  Some potential formation events include, but are not limited to:

A Bible study group - looking over the readings for the upcoming Sunday Mass, or focusing on one book of the Bible

A book group - reading a great work of literature that holds a strong Christian (even Catholic) message

A catechism study - reading and discussing an aspect of our faith as depicted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

If any student is interested in helping to start these potential opportunities, see Mr. V.