Checking Out and Checking In By Bill Kroenung - AMHS Retreat Coordinator participating in retreats are called to do the same. Throughout When senior Connor Gambelin handed his cell phone to his their four years, students ask: “In what ways is God helping Kairos leader in November, he felt a sense of relief. Giving up me grow into a more loving person? How can I love myself and a phone has long been a Mitty retreat tradition meant to give others unconditionally? What do I want God to do for me? Can students more of a chance to bond with each other, without I accept God’s unconditional love, despite all of my mistakes?” distractions from the outside world. This fall, detaching from screens had a particularly unique feel to it, as students A variety of spiritual tools are used to help students address have been spending their entire day on Zoom after the these questions and discover their pandemic closed campuses across most authentic selves. After each the nation and moved schools into talk, students are asked to journal, distance learning. Even though Kairos was an amazing experience discuss in small groups, and take students had to remain socially because it gave me the chance to step walks with a journey partner. distanced during the Kairos Retreat, Sophomores make papier-mâché which included some time on campus away from the stresses of social media masks as part of an activity that and in the chapel in small groups, and enjoy a couple days building allows them to examine the ways students were still able to forge conrelationships with new people. in which they sometimes fail to let nections in a way that might not have their authentic selves shine. Juniors been possible over Zoom. walk a labyrinth, using a 42-foot reproduction of the one found in Chartres Cathedral in France. “Kairos was an amazing experience because it gave me the chance to step away from the stresses of social media and Students also check-in by creating meaningful bonds with enjoy a couple days building relationships with new people,” classmates in ways which the normal school day doesn’t Gambelin said. always provide. Each student is placed in a small group of approximately eight students led by a senior leader, who creates Letting go of a phone is an important first step for all students a safe space for sharing and community. These discussions are participating in school retreats. It’s the start of a process of combined with time for fun and laughter, important parts of every leaving behind the burdens of social media, texts, emails, and retreat and spiritual journey. Alumni of all ages come back to calendar notifications. Checking out from all of this noise, help lead retreats and share what they learned. This November, which fills our daily lives, allows us different opportunities to six members of the Class of 2020 returned to be part of the check in with God through scripture and reflection. leadership team. Monarch Mia Apodaca ’20 was one of the leaders. Retreats, at their core, allow students to see God in scripture. “Looking back, our retreats allow us to reflect on who I Freshmen read the parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30) and was and allow us to see the gifts God gave us,” Apodaca said. explore how faith grows exponentially. Sophomores apply the “We all grow in confidence and faith.” words of Saint Paul about faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13) to their friends and families. Juniors seek to join Jesus on the The high participation in school retreats illustrates the continued road, just as the blind beggar Bartimaeus did (Mark 10:46). need for opportunities to check out from daily distractions and Seniors look for signs of God’s unconditional love, using Jesus’ check in to our most authentic selves. After Kairos ended, Gambelin story of a man with two lost sons (Luke 15:11). Members of checked back into his phone, more refreshed and knowing the faculty and senior leaders read each of these passages himself, and God, better than he did just a few days before. and share personal stories that connect to them. Students
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Monarchs handed in their phones, so they could focus on growing closer to God and each other. Students gathered in a socially-distanced manner in the chapel, classrooms, and outdoors.
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ARCHBISHOP MITTY MAGAZINE
