Purpose and Philosophy
At St. Joseph's College Coomera, Retreats in the Inquiry and Enterprise phases of learning are grounded in the Josephite charism. Through tailored programs, students are provided with opportunities:
- for reflection and connection to self, others, and God.
- for authenticity, personal growth, and leadership.
- to engage in transformative experiences that foster spiritual development, a sense of belonging, and community.
Key components of Retreats
Aligned with the Brisbane Catholic Education's Guidelines for Retreats and Reflection Days, Retreats at St. Joseph's College are guided by three narratives:
- My Story - the individual narrative
- Our Story - the community narrative
- The story - Jesus' narrative
Additionally, they are focused on developing three dispositions – heart, head, hand – reflecting the College motto to love, learn, and serve. Retreats, therefore, meet students where they are at, with opportunities for both theological and spiritual formation, and ultimately, the formation of the whole person, through an encounter with Christ.
Design and facilitation
Inclusive, respectful, and dialogical, whilst focused on the person of Christ and the rich tradition of Christianity, Retreats are an invitation to encounter and to witness. They are designed and facilitated with the diversity of the community in mind to ensure that students from all cultural and faith backgrounds are supported to engage in a meaningful way.
Personalised and engaging though the general theme may remain, student voice and feedback is consulted and used to refine programs to ensure that they are inclusive to all members of the cohort and are personalised to their character and needs.
Collaboration and continuity the continuity of the program beyond the Retreat day is considered in the planning and implementation, with a focus on ensuring staff are facilitators even when an external facilitator is engaged.
Community, where possible, local community members and organisations – including St Mary's Parish and the Encounter team – are included in the Retreat program. This includes peer-facilitated Retreat days where senior students assist in the facilitation of Retreats for younger students.
Icebreakers – my story activities, which focus on problem-solving, team building, getting to know one another, and establishing rapport.
Workshops – our story interactive sessions where students work in small groups to unpack key themes and values which contribute to the overarching theme of the day.
Prayer and liturgy – the story a time for reflection and consolidation to deepen personal and spiritual reflection, as well as a call to action.
Retreat Program Overview 7-12
| Year | My story | Our story | The story | Collboration |
7
| Belonging | Josephite Charism and Spirituality “There, where you are, you will find God." (Mary MacKillop, 1871) | “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…" Genesis 1: 26 | Josephite Justice Network |
| 8 | Relationships | Discernment and Courage “Help one another, and forgive and forget anything painful in the past." (Mary MacKillop, 1881) | Luke 15: 11-32 NRSVCE - The Parable of the Prodigal and His - Bible Gateway | Encounter |
| 9 | Identity | Reputation, Radical Trust and Joy “God wants us to take fresh courage – to lean more on God and less on ourselves." (Mary MacKillop, 1877) | “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.' Jeremiah 1:5 | Project Hatch |
| 10 | Gratitude | Generosity, Service and Ecology “Never see a need without doing something about it." (Mary MacKillop, 1890) | “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." Matthew 25: 40 | Amnesty; Caritas; Catholic Mission; |
| 11 | Giftedness | Courage, Providence and Leadership “Let us, one and all, try to remember why God called us here." (Mary MacKillop, 1878) | Matthew 25:14-30 NRSVCE - The Parable of the Talents - “For it - Bible Gateway | Encounter |
| 12 | Legacy (3-day Retreat) | Reciprocal impact “We are but travellers here." (Mary MacKillop, 1866) | “Let them both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time, I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn." Matthew 13: 24-30 | |