Written by Daryl Hagan, Ed.D., Director, Institute for the Transformation of Catholic Education, The Catholic University of America
Page one, sentence one, of the NSBECS (Second Edition) begins, “Catholic schools exist to provide excellent education in a faith-filled environment, centered in the person of Jesus Christ. This is their mission and their mandate. At one and the same time, and in all dimensions, Catholic schools are both schools and ecclesial ministries, communities of learning and communities of faith.”
If faith-filled environments, centered in the person of Jesus Christ, ecclesial ministries and communities of faith are so integral to the core of all Catholic schools, then how do we prepare for this mandate when it comes to the dedicated men and women who are called to this vocation?
One way is through an annual retreat for the Catholic school faculty and staff. Throughout history, the faithful have come away to rest for a while from their daily responsibilities for a time to reflect, pray and draw closer to God. Think of Moses going up to the mountain to speak with God (Exodus 19:3), or of Jesus on the day of the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28). It is good, and even necessary, to spend time in prayer before any endeavor, whether large or small. Our Lord himself went up to the mountain to pray and to prepare for his death and resurrection.
Scheduling a retreat prior to the new academic year or during the school year may provide inspiration and greater clarity toward the mission of the Catholic school and the role each of us play in the fulfillment of the mission. A retreat can also create the conditions necessary to help your school promote genuine trust and collaboration among all members of the faculty and staff.
Here are four areas to consider when planning a retreat for Catholic school faculty and staff.
Mission Awareness
The retreat should include an activity that allows for the participants to reflect on the school mission. One way to do this is to divide the participants into groups (consider grade level, subject level or a good mix of everyone). Each group is given an envelope that contains words or small phrases from the mission statement written on pieces of paper. The groups then begin their work in putting the words in the correct order. To enhance their level of thinking, include a few additional words that describe the school but are not actually in the mission statement.
Team Challenges
Team challenge activities emphasize the importance of engagement among the faculty and staff and will bring great joy to the retreat. One suggested activity is the great scavenger hunt. Organize the participants into groups, and depending on the location of the retreat, create a scavenger hunt for items that can be found (or placed strategically) within the retreat facility, school building or areas near the retreat. I even once used golf carts as the mode of transportation to locate the items on the hunt.
Community-Building Activities
Community-building activities are not team challenges. Community-building activities are an opportunity for the participants to get to know each other better. During the retreat, include time for participants to share with each other. The sharing can be as simple as letting everyone know your middle name. Other ideas include sharing your favorite season of the year, your best Halloween costume or your most memorable teacher. Follow simple sharing ideas with sharing reflections of the day’s Gospel readings or retreat passages. Inviting participants that are comfortable in sharing their faith journey with others is a significant way to build community within the staff.
School Theme
The retreat should have a focus; I recommend using the designated school theme for the year. Tying the school theme into the retreat may provide inspiration to the participants to keep the theme energized throughout the academic year for themselves and their students. Having a school theme and retreat is an effective way to highlight key aspects of the school’s mission and vision.
It is important for all faculty and staff to be involved in initial and permanent formation and the annual retreat is one way to start building communion and community while furthering their formation. Know of my prayers and gratitude for all those who serve in Catholic schools.
Want to know more?
Join Daryl October 8, 2024, at 1 PM ET for his upcoming webinar, Retreats: Building Communion and Community Among the Faculty and Staff.
