Retreats
True to our Augustinian pedagogy and philosophy of education, Austin Catholic offers a variety of retreats for students, faculty/staff, and parents. Each retreat is designed for the specific audience, with grade-level, house level and all school retreats focusing on the needs of the particular group.
Senior & Freshman Unitas Retreat
This intense retreat exposes the seniors to leadership, team building, and facing their fears before the school year even begins. A three-day, over-night experience combines team building, ziplining, climbing towers, ropes course, prayer, meditation, goal setting, and senior year planning. The freshmen arrive on day three to be welcomed into our community. Senior leaders guide and support the new students through various obstacles and ropes elements to build trust and unity as big brothers/sisters of their house. Attending the same retreat as a 9th grader and then as a 12th grader allows the faculty to gauge the growth of our students over the four years.
Freshman Core Values Retreat
Each winter or spring during PSAT testing our 9th graders experience a mini-SAVI (student Augustinian values institute) where they delve into the core values of an Augustinian school, the life of St. Augustine, and reflection on their own restlessness as a young adult.
Sophomore & Junior Retreats
Sophomores and Juniors are required to attend two one-day retreats that are designed to guide and encourage students on their spiritual journey. Students will reflect and evaluate their experiences while incorporating social justice issues that face our world today. Each retreat will be focused more deeply on our core values of truth (veritas) and/or love (caritas).
Senior Kairos Retreat
Seniors are required to attend the annual Senior Kairos retreat, an overnight intense spiritual experience in the spring. Details are provided at the completion of the junior year.
Augustinian Values Retreat (parent mini retreat)
A one day retreat that includes a full dinner for parents, board members, staff, and community. Participants embark on a journey into St. Augustine and their own restlessness. Examining the questions of: “Who is St. Augustine? Why are we an Augustinian school? and What it means to be Augustinian Catholics,” this one day intense retreat is focused on educating our parents, grandparents, new staff, friends of Austin and general community about Augustinian values. Participates experience time for reflection, prayer and interaction with other participants.