Junior Retreats

There and Back Again: A Student Journey into the Spirituality in Tolkein’s Middle Earth

led by Mr. Main and Mr. Watkins.  Location: Camp Edenwood in Eden Prairie

Come explore the connections in Tolkien’s works, Christianity, mythology, and ourselves. We will be reading, sharing, viewing, discussing, creating, and reflecting during the course of our day. We will have more fun than Hobbits at a buffet and dig deeper than the pits of Khaza-dum. Look for the day to be challenging and thrilling. While you do not need to be a Tolkien expert to join us, you should be at least familiar with the recent films. The more you have read, though, the more you will get out of the day.

Habitat for Humanity Service Retreat

led by Mr. Gleich and assisted by many other faculty/staff. Location: various Habitat sites. Limited to 30 students who have not participated on a previous Habitat Day this year.

This retreat will explore through conversation, reflection, prayer and action, our ability and responsibility to be “salt of the earth” and “a light set on a hill.” Students and staff will help in some phase of the construction of a home, either building a new home, or the renovation of an existing house.

*Participants on this retreat need to complete an additional permission/health info form required for this retreat. Those who fail to complete the required paperwork by the due date will be replaced by an alternate.

Nature Retreat

led by Ms. Kiernan and Ms. Lawver.Location: Lebanon Hills Visitor Center in

Eagan.  Limited to 35 students

This retreat will be a day to reflect on God’s presence as you experience the beauty and design of creation. There will be quiet exercises to use your senses to listen, observe, and feel creation and reflect on what these say about the Creator and us. There will also be a chance to walk in the woods and do some creating yourself with some artistic expression.  If you like being outside and connecting to God through nature, this retreat is for you.

Leap Forward for Children Retreat

led by Mr. Steineman and Mr. Brennan. Location: Wilder Foundation’s Child Development Center in Frogtown. Limited to 15 students.

If you enjoy working and playing with little kids this retreat is for you. Spend the day at the Wilder Foundation’s Leap Forward for Children Program. Learn about the families served and the services provided there. Play with the toddlers and pre-schoolers at this center which specializes in integrating children with special behavioral or developmental needs into mainstream child care environments. Lunch will be provided.

 Conscious Living-- The Ways of the Wise

led by Mr. Wysoki, Location: Holy Spirit Church basement.  Limited to 25 students.

There's more than one way to view life and to stay healthy. This retreat will make you take a good look at your choices. We will examine the effects of the foods you eat and drink, global types of exercise (Tai Chi & Yoga) and how the ancients dealt with illnesses using the plants around you. Wear loose clothing and bring an open mind.

Problem Solving Retreat

led by Dr. Laurel Zimmerman and Br. Michael Lee Anderson. Location: Brother Michael’s house.  Limited to 15 students.

Do you wish you life was as together as Oprah, but somehow it feels more like Jerry Springer? Sometimes it feels like the problems in our lives have no solutions and are really dragging us down. Maybe your parents are fighting, splitting or split. Perhaps someone in your life has a drinking/drug problem or is in an abusive relationship. Or maybe you have friends with serious problems who are expecting you to listen to them all the time.  This retreat will help you work on a system for getting a grip on what you can change, what you cannot change, and how you can cope.  You do not need to have a serious problem to attend, but this will be a great sharing and solution-oriented day.

Eucharist: God’s Love in the Food

led by Fr. Forliti. Location: St. Andrew’s Church in Como Park. Limited to 40 students.

This retreat will give you the opportunity to explore the theology of food while preparing a good Italian meal of homemade ravioli with our chaplain.  It will help you understand how you “put the love in the food” and examine the relationship between a meal and the Eucharist.  Plus, you will get to share the meal you prepare together!

Diversity Retreat

led Ms. Tighe and Phyllis Braxton.  Location: Camp Sacajawea at Lebanon Hills Park in Eagan. Limited to 35 students.

Diversity is the fact of human difference, and this retreat will explore many kinds of difference in people, and how that difference, “makes a difference” at Cretin-Derham Hall. Through a variety of activities and discussions, you will be invited to broaden your perspectives, learn from one another, and reflect on how diversity is one of the greatest blessings of God.

Yoga & Meditation Retreat

led by Mrs. Vaughan-Fier, Mrs. Beran-Ryan, and Mrs. Kreitzer.

Location: Iyengar Center in St. Paul. Limited to 15 students.

Are you curious about yoga? What is it and what does it have to do with meditation and

breathing? Would you like to learn some poses from a professional instructor that relax and

renew? Then this retreat is for you.  It will be led by three teachers who have found that regular practice of yoga poses with moments of quiet reflection have become the foundation of their lives. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and prepared to be barefoot.

Abraham’s Other Religions: A Monotheistic Retreat

led by Ms. Racine.. Location: Temple of Aaron and Inver Grove Islamic Community Center. Limited to 40 students.

Explore the Jewish tradition by going on a guided tour of Mount Zion Synagogue in St. Paul. Then, travel over to the Islamic Community Center in Inver Grove Heights that CDH students helped to clean in preparation for its opening 2 years ago, during your freshmen class retreat. There we will get to join in on a midday prayer service, have a Middle-Eastern meal, and later learn some of the basics of their beliefs.

*There will be an extra $5 fee to help cover the cost of the catered Middle Eastern lunch for this retreat. Wait until after you find out if you’re on this retreat before paying this extra fee.

Putting the Pieces Together: Social Justice, Faith, and Everyday Life

Led by Ms. Watson. Location: Spring Lake Park Youth Camp near Hastings.  Limited to 35 students.

What’s most important in your life?  What motivates you?  Does how you live reflect that?  Spend the day discovering your core values, looking at what social justice is, and having a lot of fun with a great group of people.  There will be discussion, interactive activities, a couple of talks, and other things to make the day really interesting.