Awakenings 2023: Thrive Through Christ
Every year in the Spring we have a multi day retreat at St. Joseph’s in Edina. This retreat is an opportunity to grow in faith in Christ and fellowship with the Newman community at large. This happens with talks, games, and small groups, and more. Additionally, every year there is a theme, this year it was Thrive Through Christ. Our leaders taught us to thrive in the Gospel message.
Past Retreats
Field Day Retreat 2021
Theme: John 21 “Come Have Breakfast”
It was a day for everyone to get away from studying and have fun playing games. We had a day of competitions including a relay race, a tent-building contest, and game of table soccer. We also had three talks based on our theme Bible Verse and some opportunities for prayer throughout the day. This was our first Field Day Retreat and we are looking forward to continuing the tradition.
Lenten Retreat 2021
Theme: Not By Bread Alone
Our Lenten Retreat: Not By Bread Alone on February 20th was the perfect way to start off the Lenten Season. We began our day with some fun and competitive relay races. Then we went into a guided meditation led by Nick Rackers. Our first talk, by Sadie Rollings, was about prayer. Following the talk, we did a service project where we got to have phone conversations with parishioners and make cards for a nursing home. Then, we ate lunch in silence as part of a sacrifice in the theme of Lent (and also to be safer with COVID). Allison Seiler led a Lectio Divina on Matthew 4:1-11. From there, we went into our second talk by Andrew Gentry about fasting. After some personal prayer time, we had a scavenger hunt where team members had to act out clues for their teammates. We had a bit of free time where Father Simeon offered confessions, and then we had a group rosary led by Kate Speak. Our third talk by Nolon Carter was about almsgiving. That was followed by Adoration. Finally, we ended the retreat with dinner provided by Mary Immaculate parishioners.
Fall Retreat 2020
Theme: Come After Me
Our Fall Retreat on October 10th was a little different this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. We began our day at 7:00am, and spent the morning at Thousand Hills where we had outdoor Mass, a rosary hike, praise & worship, a talk, small group activities, and a soccer game with Father Simeon. We spent the rest of our retreat day at the Newman Center, playing outdoor games, listening to two more talks, having small group time, and watching an episode of The Chosen.
Busy Person’s Retreat 2020
March 22-26 we will have a special kind of mini-retreat at Newman called a Busy-Person’s Retreat. It is just that – a retreat for busy people in the midst of a busy week! This is how it works:
We have Religious Sisters and Religious Brothers coming to visit us at Newman for the week. They will each partner with a handful of students who they will meet with individually for 30-45 minutes each day next week.
After meeting with your spiritual director, they might have a few questions for you to reflect on, or a bible passage to pray with, or something they suggest for your prayer time. And then sometime, in your regular busy day, you devote about 20-30 minutes in prayer or reading or journaling. And then come back the next day to meet with your director again.
Awakenings 2020: Perfect Vision
Awakenings 2020: Perfect Vision, from John 9:39, “so that those who do not see might see”. We are so excited for this amazing retreat, February 7-9. We will meet on Friday the 7th at 4:45 at Newman for pizza, and then leave for Edina around 5:45. We will arrive back around noon on Sunday
Busy Person’s Retreat 2019
September 22-26 we will begin a special kind of mini-retreat at Newman called a Busy-Person’s Retreat. It is just that – a retreat for busy people in the midst of a busy week! This is how it works:
We have Religious Sisters and Religious Priests coming to visit us at Newman for the week. They will each partner with a handful of students who they will meet with individually for 30-45 minutes each day next week.
After meeting with your spiritual director, they might have a few questions for you to reflect on, or a bible passage to pray with, or something they suggest for your prayer time. And then sometime, in your regular busy day, you devote about 20-30 minutes in prayer or reading or journaling. And then come back the next day to meet with your director again.
Awakenings 2019: Small Things, Great Love
Welcome to the Awakenings Retreat! The retreat will be February 15-17. Our theme this year is Small Things, Great Love. Get ready for a weekend of community and diving into our faith and what it means to live it out! All are Welcome! The retreat will be held in Edina, MO (30ish min away). You will arrive at the Newman Center between 4:30 and 5:15 pm Friday February 15th. We will have dinner and all meals will be provided. You will get home around 3:30 pm Sunday the 17th. Plenty of time to do homework! The cost will be $45 before February 11th and $50 starting February 11th. Contact us at [email protected] if cost is a problem and we can work with you.
Fall Retreat 2018:
Hey, you! Welcome to Newman’s first Fall Retreat Registration! We will meet at Newman at 4:45pm for dinner and caravan to Memphis, Missouri . There we will spend time reflecting on Christ The Good Shepherd and other tomfoolery that goes along with any good retreat! We will arrive back by noon on Saturday.
Excited to see you there!
Awakenings 2018: Fiat
Welcome to the Awakenings Retreat! The retreat will be February 16-18. Our theme this year is Fiat (Let It Be Done Unto Me). Get ready for a weekend of community and diving into our faith and what it means to live it out! All are Welcome! The retreat will be held in Edina, MO (30ish min away). You will arrive at the Newman Center between 4:30 and 5:15 pm Friday February 16th. We will have dinner and all meals will be provided. You will get home around 3:30 pm Sunday the 18th. Plenty of time to do homework! The cost will be $40 before February 11th and $45 starting February 11th. Contact us at [email protected] if cost is a problem and we can work with you.
Other ways to retreat from the daily grind to find Christ at the center of your life.
Spiritual retreats create space for us to invite (or re-invite) Christ to be the center of our lives. Taking time away from school, work, social media or your cell phone can be a welcome “calm” in the storm of responsibilities that sometimes pull our focus away from the Lord. Attending a spiritual retreat can help you refocus, recharge an refresh your priorities. Consider signing up for one this semester!
Busy Persons’ Retreat
Busy Person’s retreats are for…busy people! Section off about an hour a day – 1/2 to meet with a spiritual director, 1/2 for personal prayer and reflection, and get together at the end for a delicious supper and some fellowship with other retreatants. Each Busy Person’s retreat invites 6-10 trained spiritual directors to Kirksville to meet with retreatants and set personal spiritual goals together, in the midst of busy life! So, you don’t have to take two days out of town, you can pencil in some spiritual growth on your own time.
New Student Retreat
New Student Retreat is a great way to meet other students who are brand-new to Truman’s campus. This opportunity to bond, prepare for your first year here spiritually, and learn from other students is a great way to kick-off your first year of college.
Council Retreat
Council retreat is provided for the Newman Council as a way to plan, prepare and grow connected to the other members of council and your committee. This retreat is offered in the fall, and is limited to council members. It takes place in Edina, MO and is a wonderful bonding experience, tying all of our work back to God’s will for the center. If you’re not on the council – consider joining!
Men’s & Women’s Retreats
Mens & Women’s retreats are hosted by the men & women’s fellowship groups. These retreats provide opportunities to get-to-know ladies & gents while growing in your understanding of what it means to be a man or woman of Christ. The men usually camp-out, the women usually retreat in town, both are a great opportunity to forge deep friendships and learn more about your identity in Christ.