10:10 Retreat

On 18 and 19 November, a select few Year 10 students experienced the Catholic Youth 10:10 Retreat at Benedict XVI Retreat Centre in Grose Wold. Inspired by John 10:10 “I came that they may have life, and have it to the full”, the retreat offered a sanctuary for spiritual growth, moving beyond classroom learning to foster a deep, personal relationship with God.

Through prayer and quiet contemplation, they were encouraged to reflect on their purpose and values, while team-building activities strengthened their sense of community and belonging. The students embraced the chance to disconnect, reflect, and support one another on their faith journeys.

The students returned with a visible sense of peace, stronger bonds, and a renewed commitment to living a life “to the full’ engaging with the themes of faith, fellowship, and personal growth.
The retreat was a powerful reminder that our faith is a living part of our daily lives, and we look forward to seeing how they continue to share that light and positive energy within our College community.
We thank Mrs Gabi Habashy for accompanying our students.

This what the students had to say about their experience:

	Aalia Elachi “We had the meaningful opportunity to visit the Bush Chapel, a space surrounded by God’s creation and participated in Lectio Divina. Through this form of contemplative prayer, we reflected deeply on scripture and what it means to practice love in our lives today. As Lectio Divina is a form of prayer we do not typically engage in at school or home, it was a valuable experience and a wonderful opportunity to truly connect with God within such a calming and natural setting.”
	Olivia Gois “The 10:10 retreat offered the chance to participate in the beautiful spiritual experiences of Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Adoration was deeply spiritual and moving; I felt the presence of God within my heart. It was heartwarming to witness so many youth wholeheartedly embracing their faith and the opportunity for a beautiful interaction with God. The significant line for Confession felt like a powerful revival for us Catholic youth, showing how many were seeking forgiveness.”
	Olivia Katacos “The 10:10 retreat was an absolute gift, providing an environment filled with young people full of faith and hope. Witnessing everyone actively engage with their beliefs throughout all the activities was truly amazing. Seeing such profound engagement throughout the day undoubtedly strengthened my own faith and hope, and I am certain it did the same for every student who attended the retreat.”
	Isabelle Saroufim “At the 10:10 retreat, Adoration was a profound and unifying event, bringing all the youth together to experience the presence of Christ and the Eucharist. During this quiet time, the line for the Sacrament of Reconciliation grew consistently longer, a truly powerful sight. Seeing everyone in silent prayer during Adoration was an incredibly heartwarming and uniting experience for the entire group.”
	Alessia Stumpo “The 10:10 experience fostered valuable connections, particularly through a challenging escape room activity involving trivia and word puzzles. Working collaboratively as a team with students from other schools required us all to remain open-minded. This process allowed us to successfully form connections and grow significantly from the experience.”