Student Retreats

Early in their Freshman year, Freshmen Fenwick students pause their normal school schedule to take a day of retreat. In the morning of the retreat, students play team building games to build community with one another. Throughout the day, students hear talks from Fenwick upperclassmen and teachers on the value of being a “Rock” for others. Freshman reflect in small groups and individually on the following questions: Who are my rock people (people I can lean on in times of trouble)? Which people in my life are like sand? And How can God be a rock in my life? At the end of the day, students have an opportunity to paint their own rocks and give them to a friend or family member as a sign of their love. 

Bishop Fenwick High School was originally staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Today, we stand on the foundation that these sisters laid for our school. This order was founded by two friends, St. Julie Billiart and Françoise Blin de Bourdon. St. Julie famously told her sisters, “Be like the sunflower that follows every movement of the sun, and keep your eyes always turned towards our good God.” During this day, students reflect on how they can ‘Be Like a Sunflower.’ They participate in several activities, including a presentation by one of the sisters on St. Julie. The day concludes with Mass and an opportunity for confession. 

The Encounter retreat is an opportunity for students who want to take the next step in deepening their relationship with God and one another. This retreat takes place at Camp Sentinel – near Lake Winnipesaukee. The goal of “The Encounter” retreat is to rediscover the reasonableness and the joy of the Encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. Through prayer, witnesses and a shared common life, retreatants will be able to recognize Christ’s presence as relevant to their  human experience. To learn more, contact Fr. Bennetti (FMB@fenwick.org) or Ryan Carney (rc@fenwick.org).