This past weekend, a group of forty nine students, composed of both juniors and seniors, traveled to St. Raphaela’s Retreat center. Here, the girls were welcomed onto Encounter XLI. Mrs. Vavala, and Mrs. Wallen, attended the retreat as well, with much enthusiasm. Junior Rebecca M. said “At first I was really nervous because I didn’t know what to expect”. The students left Padua on Thursday evening and returned home Sunday afternoon. Some activities the girls participated in while on the retreat included Mass, adoration, and playing in the snow.

Rebecca M. ‘18 says “Even though the weekend consisted of us not being able to use our phones, it was really calming not looking at it 24/7 and it allowed us to make more friendships with each other”. This year, while students were on the retreat, they experienced a bit of snow at the retreat center, which “made the weekend even more fun”, said Rebecca. When asked about if she took anything away from the weekend, Rebecca said “It definitely brought me closer to God, and I was able to see others’ faith journey with God as well”.