Below you’ll find details about the upcoming retreats for our Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman classes. Please review the information carefully for your student’s grade level.

Junior Retreat – October 8 or October 9, 2025

Dear Junior Students and Parents,

Here is essential information you need to know about our upcoming Retreat Day on October 8 or October 9, 2025:

Important Information:
In order to accommodate the unique nature of this retreat, the Junior Class will be divided in half (by Houses). Half the Junior Class will attend the retreat on Wednesday, October 8 and the other half will attend the retreat on Thursday, October 9.

• Teresa House/Romero House: Students will participate in this retreat on October 9, and they will attend regular school classes on October 10.
• Casey House/Kolbe House: Students will not have school on October 9; they will participate in the retreat on October 10 instead of attending classes.

Transportation: Bussing will still be available to Catholic Central in the morning and in the afternoon.

When: Wednesday, October 8 or Thursday, October 9. Arrive by 7:45 am. The retreat begins at 8:00 am and finishes at 3:00 pm.

Where: We will meet in the lower level of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.

What to Wear: Plan to wear comfortable clothes that you will be able to work in. Part of the retreat involves a walking tour of the Heartside neighborhood so plan accordingly.

Lunch: Lunch will be provided, at no cost, before leaving for our service sites.

Parent Chaperones: We would love to have parent chaperones be part of this retreat. If you are available and would like to help, please contact Deacon Rybicki at dennisrybicki@grcattholiccentral.org.

Paperwork: Every Junior must turn in a signed and completed CC Permission/Field Trip slip to their Theology teacher no later than Friday, October 3.

Forms: Forms can be received from your Theology class. A digital form can be found HERE.

Cost: There is a $20 cost for this retreat. Please pay through Infinite Campus or by submitting a check (made out to CC) or cash (in a labeled envelope) to the Main Office by Friday, October 3. Financial assistance is available. Please contact Deacon Rybicki.

We are looking forward to being with you as a part of this important and meaningful retreat experience!

If you have any other questions and/or concerns about the day, please contact Deacon Rybicki at dennisrybicki@grcattholiccentral.org.

Peace,
Dcn. Dennis Rybicki

Sophomore Retreat – October 8, 2025

September 25, 2025

Dear Sophomore Parent/Guardian,

As part of our retreat programming at Catholic Central, your student is invited to participate in the Sophomore Retreat on Wednesday, October 8. This retreat will provide students with the opportunity to deepen their relationship with God while building community in a natural, faith-filled setting. Through thoughtfully planned activities and discussions, our goal is to make this a meaningful and memorable day for your student.

The retreat will take place at Camp Roger in Rockford, MI, this is a Christian retreat center whose mission is “to reveal and celebrate God's love for God's children through experiences in God's world.” Their staff is partnering with us to help create an environment that nurtures spiritual growth and community building. Lunch will be provided, but students should bring a refillable water bottle.

Enclosed you will find the required permission forms. Please return them with the $20 retreat fee by Friday, October 3. Payment may be made through Infinite Campus or by check payable to Catholic Central High School. If the fee presents a financial hardship, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Catholic Central maintains a fund to ensure all students are able to fully participate in school activities, regardless of financial circumstances.

As Camp Roger is an outdoor facility, we ask that students dress appropriately for Michigan’s unpredictable fall weather. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes and layered clothing are essential. While indoor space may be available, it cannot be guaranteed.

We are confident this retreat will be a valuable experience for your student—an opportunity to grow in faith, strengthen class bonds, and embrace challenges together as a community.

Thank you for your support and prayers. Please feel free to reach out to me at jaymieperry@grcatholiccentral.org with any questions.

In Christ,
Jaymie Perry
Teresa House Dean
Theology Teacher/Campus Ministry

To Do List

• Sign CC permission slip
• Sign Camp Roger permission slip
• Send in $20 check or pay this fee via Infinite Campus
• Please include us in your prayers while we are on retreat

Freshman Retreat – October 8, 2025

Dear Freshman Parents,

The Freshman Retreat will be held on Wednesday, October 8th. Firstly, we would like to express our gratitude for entrusting us with your students and giving us the opportunity to encounter Christ with them. The retreat theme is "Fully Known," based on Psalm 139. The goal of this retreat is to provide our students with the opportunity to explore their personal relationship with Jesus Christ and deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith in a setting that fosters a sense of community and belonging.

The cost is $20, which can be paid on Infinite Campus or brought in as cash or check to the main office. Checks should be made out to Catholic Central High School. If this is a financial burden for your family, please reach out to me. Catholic Central has a fund to ensure financial constraints never stand in the way of student participation. The retreat fee needs to be received by October 3rd.

During the retreat, students will attend Mass, play games, participate in small group discussions, pray with Lectio Divina, hear from senior leaders on being "Fully Known in Christ," and attend Adoration. Lunch will be provided.

In all these activities, we hope students will reflect on where they are in their faith journey and where they are headed. Our desire is to create a culture of dialogue within the freshman class that promotes exploration and understanding of the Catholic faith, as well as their personal relationship with Jesus. However, this culture cannot be cultivated through just one retreat day; we plan to continue developing it throughout your child’s school year.

Most importantly, this culture must be continued in the home.

Many have referred to the home—parents and children—as the domestic church. It is from parents that children first encounter faith and begin to understand a relationship with Jesus Christ. At the end of this letter, you will find a post-retreat discussion guide to help cultivate this dialogue in your own home. We highly encourage you to pray and discuss with your student what they experienced on the freshman retreat day. The Lord desires to witness to your children through you, so allow Him to speak through you and your actions.

Please reach out to Mrs. Marie Epkey at marieepkey@grcatholiccentral.org with any questions regarding our retreat day. Know that we are praying for you and your families.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Marie Epkey
Catholic Central Campus Ministry Department

Post Retreat Discussion Guide

• Open in prayer and invite God’s presence into your discussion.
• Ask your child to share their thoughts about the retreat.
  • What stood out to them?
  • What goals might they like to have reached once they enter their senior year?
  • Did they learn anything about themselves on the retreat?
  • What did they learn about Christ? How might Christ desire to be in relationship with them?
  • What does it practically look like for them to develop their personal relationship with Christ?
• Affirm your child in the good work of reflection that they have begun.
• Share with your child about your own faith journey and relationship with Christ and what you do to cultivate this relationship.
• Remind your child that you are always there to support them as they continue on their faith journey.
• Close in prayer. Thank God for the opportunity to encounter Christ with your child. Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to grant your family with opportunities to journey closer to Christ’s heart together.