Retreats

He [Jesus] said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place (Mk 6: 31, 32).

At SJND, we offer students the time, space, and ever-evolving language to encounter God personally within the self, the community, and creation. A SJND retreat, in the tradition of Jesus of Nazareth, is the practice of temporarily leaving everyday life for the purpose of spiritual exercise and rest. According to student reviews on Niche.com, our retreats are consistently ranked as their favorite student life activity!

Our four-year retreat program aligns directly with our school mission, from which the general themes of belonging, believing, becoming, and beyond​ evolved to shape the program.

9th Grade Mission and Charism Retreat

The general theme of ​Belonging​ underscores this one-day retreat in which the newest members of the Pilot family experience “our faith-filled, diverse, and welcoming community.” Formative activities introduce 9th graders to the spiritual gifts of our school while also encouraging them to create class friendships.

10th Grade Service and Social Justice Retreat

Direct involvement with the social mission of the Catholic church enables our students to “embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ.” The broad theme of Believing ​guides the sophomore immersion retreat at St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District. Belief in Jesus’ teachings is lived out when students interact ​with and respond to the poor and marginalized with compassion, mercy, and a determination to work for peace and justice in our society.

11th Grade ​Fides​ Retreat

Keeping with the school’s mission to “develop confident, open-minded, and effective leaders,” the ​Fides​ retreat is an opportunity for juniors to reflect on how they are Becoming​ a People of God in trust and service to others. The focus on trust - trust in God, themselves, and their peers - helps build this community of faith and of servant-leaders.

12th Grade ​Kairos​ Retreat

This multi-day and night retreat invites our seniors to contemplate their lives Beyond​ the everyday, especially as they enter their final year of high school. The retreat speaks to the heart of the SJND mission that our students be “ready to live joyful lives of faith, scholarship, and service.” During Kairos, the seniors ​are offered the chance to explore and reflect on their relationships with God, self and neighbor, share life together, affirm each other, seek forgiveness and participate in communal worship.