Spiritual Formation

 

Pastoral outreach is extended throughout the year to the entire community. Exemplifying and fostering spiritual ministry on campus to both the students and adults in the community, the Office of Mission & Ministry also organizes the Fontbonne Academy retreat program and moderates Peer Ministry. All students and adults in the learning community attend a yearly retreat. First year students attend an on-campus retreat in the fall. Junior and Senior Peer Ministers are trained to plan and facilitate the sophomore and junior retreats. Administrators, faculty and staff attend a retreat to begin each academic year. Alumnae are also encouraged to nourish their spirit through an on-campus annual retreat in the spring. The retreat experience offers students, adults and alumnae alike an opportunity to explore and to share their faith with peers and colleagues in a personal and profound way.

Grade 9 Retreat: October 17, 2007

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The theme of the Grade 9 retreat is gifts and giving. Students will participate in activities which will help them identify their gifts. Each student is to bring a journal with them. These journals will be kept in the Office of Mission & Ministry for use at subsequent class retreats. They will also explore the different ways giving takes place within Fontbonne Academy.

Sophomore Retreat: March 18, 2008

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The theme of the sophomore retreat is acceptance of self, others, and God. The retreat is held off campus and is facilitated by Junior Peer Ministers. The retreat provides time for prayer, discussion and faith sharing. The sophomore retreat is scheduled for one day in the spring. Please refer to the Student/Parent Handbook for the exact date. Permission forms will be distributed and collected in homeroom. Students cannot participate in a retreat without a signed permission form.

Junior Retreat: November 6, 2007

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The theme of the junior retreat is relationships. The retreat is held off campus and is facilitated by the Senior Peer Ministers. The retreat is a slightly different format from the sophomore retreat, but prayer, discussion and faith sharing remains at the heart of the day’s activities. Please refer to the Student/Parent Handbook for the exact date in the fall when the junior retreat is scheduled. Permission forms will be distributed and collected in homeroom. Students cannot participate in a retreat without a signed permission form.

Senior Retreat: May 19, 2008

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The purpose of the senior retreat is to facilitate the transition of the graduating class from student to alumna. Only students in the senior class and members of the faculty and administration are present. Students and adults reminisce about their four years at Fontbonne Academy. They participate in activities to help them close one chapter of their life and to open the next with blessings from the adults who educated them through their high school experience. Heartfelt and spirit-filled prayer and reflection characterize this retreat.

Peer Ministry

Students nearing completion of their sophomore year may be recommended by the administration and faculty to be considered for the two year Peer Ministry program. The Office of Mission & Ministry invites only those select students to apply for the program. Peer Ministers plan and facilitate the school retreats for the sophomore and junior classes. They also offer individual support to their peers. In the first year of the program, the Junior Peer Ministers are trained in communication and listening skills, and they plan and facilitate the sophomore retreat. By their second year in the program, Senior Peer Ministers not only plan and facilitate the junior retreat, but they are also responsible for assisting in the training of the Junior Peer Ministers. Through their words and actions peer ministers are examples of authentic faith for the Fontbonne Academy community. They continue to nurture and nourish their own spirituality while leading other students on their spiritual journeys.