Eighth graders attend retreat

By JULIE KEANE, Globe staff reporter
February 5, 2004

Eighth grade students from the Catholic Schools of Sioux City attended a retreat on Jan. 28 held in the gymnasium at Cathedral's Epiphany Center to learn about community.

Students from Holy Cross School, Holy Family School and Mater Dei School gathered together with seniors from Heelan who served as retreat facilitators.

"This is an opportunity for eighth graders to get together before the move on to high school," said Kris Vondrak, eighth grade teacher at Sacred Heart. "They get to know each other and build that unity that will bring them together as freshmen."

The day started with opening prayers. The students were then put into small groups with students from other schools and participated in activities that were based around the aspect of community.

"We have had different projects with defining what community is and then we defined what Christian community is. They have to understand part of being a Christian is community," Vondrak said.

During the community retreat, students also had time for reflecting on their own personal thoughts.

"There was time for personal journaling with focused questions so each person could reflect on his/her participation and what had been learned," said Kay Morrissey, director of faith formation said for the Diocese of Sioux City and organizer of the event. "Time for reflection is crucial if learning is to be integrated and understanding enhanced."

Part of the day included small group discussion where students had the opportunity to hear perspectives different than their own. Morrissey said that this was a very important part of the retreat. She said that she hoped students would learn to students express their opinions and listen to other student's opinions also.

The retreat was well received by both teachers and students.

"This prepares us for high school and it gives us an idea what to expect for next year," John Daniels, eighth grade student at Mater Dei School, Nativity Center. "We are learning about respecting people and being a better Catholic. I learned a little bit about Heelan and some of Heelan's traditions."

Vondrak said that they retreat will also help students feel more comfortable because when they start high school in the fall they will be able to recognize familiar faces.

Heelan senior, Michele Baker, also agreed that the retreat helped the eighth graders to know what high school will be like next year.

"I think this is a good idea," Baker said. "They get a chance to meet with other kids from other schools so the can be comfortable for there first couple of weeks at Heelan. Also, they can learn the values that Heelan has."

Morrissey said that the retreat not only aided the eighth grade students, but also those who were helping from Heelan.

"The experience also provided an opportunity for Heelan students to utilize their skills as facilitators of small groups and 'floaters' who kept small groups supplied with materials and assisted as needed."

The idea for the eighth grade retreat came from the Catholic Schools of Sioux City's Mission Effectiveness Committee, who developed an assessment of Catholicity. Morrissey, who is a member of this committee said, one of the objectives of the assessment was "to develop the total of the person - spiritually, academically, physically, socially, emotionally and morally," she said.

Some eighth grade students also participated in a retreat earlier this fall for an afternoon where they focused on leadership, which was also part of the committee's goal in the assessment.

Morrissey said that she hopes the students left the retreat with an understanding that each of their talents and opinions are needed in a community for building values, which is based out of Paul (1Cor12:1227).

"I hope that they feel a sense of community across the city," Morrissey said. "They are indeed a community with each other."