To lead students to make a commitment to faith that does justice, in this retreat they will come to understand morality and appreciate more deeply that a living faith leads directly to a loving action which leads to the transformation of the world.

The Retreat

The Day Includes:

Great contemporary Christian rock music
Inspirational speakers
An opportunity to mingle and interact with those with special needs which allows for a unique experience of true love and friendship that demonstrates how we can live as one in the spirit of Christ.

“PRAYER, SACRAMENTS AND CHARITY.”

Students who attend our “You are the Light of World” retreats will experience all three aspects of living out our faith.

Schedule - The Day in Detail:

Personal Witness given by Angie Carboni (founder of St. Bernadette’s) a short film, interactive games, prayer and reflection.

Topics include: How to be the Light of the World by building a personal relationship with Jesus. Students who come to our retreats are taught about the power of living in the Spirit through the Sacraments of the Catholic Church.

The day offers an opportunity for students to reflect and examine their lives and develop a better understanding of the true presence of Jesus in all the Sacraments of the Catholic Church and how Jesus can empower our lives.

The students are educated on social justice issues that people with intellectual and/or physical challenges face daily in our society. Each student will have an opportunity to collaborate with those we serve as a buddy, joining in activities in various art forms.

As their hearts and minds open, the students will hopefully create a greater awareness of individuals with disabilities by reminding them that the Lord creates everyone with a purpose, which is generally in opposition to society’s misconception of individuals with intellectual and/or physical challenges. We invite them to become a part of the lives of those we serve, to share the day together and become a light for each other.

The participants of St. Jude’s emanate the Lord’s love and are welcoming to all who attend.

The students will have an opportunity to work together with those who attend St. Jude’s Academy of the Arts Day Program. Through organized activities conducted by professionals in Dance, Theatre, Music and Visual Arts, each student has the opportunity to partner with one of the individuals we serve allowing each person a chance to learn from another. During this time our clients open their hearts to all and demonstrate sincerity, innocence of character and the gift of caring for others. They teach our youth by demonstrating the importance of just being yourself.

Talk on Sacraments, Healing of the Soul through Confession, True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, Shroud of Turin, the Saints and Veneration of First-Class Relics. Students will be visiting St. Bernard de Clairvaux Parish and the Blessed Sacrament where they will be receiving a keepsake rosary as well as participate in praying a decade of the rosary at the Shrine. They are also given an opportunity to pray with a relic of a saint if they so choose. We currently have over 100 First-Class Relics available for veneration. Some include: the True Cross of Christ, Our Blessed Mothers Veil, the Apostles, St. Francis, St. Anthony, St. Pope John Paul, St. Mother Teresa, St. Padre Pio and many more. A biography of each Saint is available on our website for further information.

The day ends with a joyous celebration featuring contemporary Christian music by our band - St. Jude’s United Catholic Worship Band. They engage, and take part in, a Praise and Worship Concert with the St. Jude’s participants. Here, our participants eagerly demonstrate their talents in dance.This results in a joyous experience of dance and song that is filled with God’s love. Holy Mass and/or Adoration will be available during the afternoon when requested, depending on the availability of a priest.

**Times may vary depending on school’s time of arrival and departure.

Special Needs Retreat:

In addition, we also offer Retreats for Gr. 9-12 students who are intellectually and/or physically challenged..

History

Our Youth Ministry has been the host of “You Are The Light of the World” Youth Rallies for audiences as large as five thousand and at school assemblies. We are the host of Spiritual Retreats for students from grades J.K. to twelve since our participation at World Youth Day 2002. Our St. Jude’s United Catholic Worship band was chosen as the music ministry to represent Canada in World Youth Day 2005 in Germany and 2011 in Madrid.

“You Are The Light of the World” spiritual retreats are taking place at St. Jude’s Academy of the Arts Day Program. St. Jude’s is part of St. Bernadette’s Family Resource Centre, a non-profit charity and a member agency of Share Life. Our Spiritual Retreats have been successfully taking place at St. Jude’s since 2003.

“You Are The Light of the World” spiritual retreats offer participating students a day filled with the Holy Spirit through prayer and inspirational talks, giving all an opportunity to enhance and deepen their relationship with Jesus through the teachings of the Catholic Church. Retreats are offered to elementary schools for the Sacrament of First Communion, Confirmation and High School students from grade 9 to 12.

Each student will enjoy a fun filled day collaborating with the special individuals we serve in various activities such as: arts and crafts, drama, and dance. Students will make rosary bracelets and for an additional $5 dollars each student can bring their handmade bracelet home. All students receive a rosary and prayer cards.

The day ends with a worship celebration with St. Jude’s United Catholic Worship Band featuring contemporary Christian Rock Music.

Retreat students will have an opportunity to venerate first class relics of many saints. Some are: the True Cross of Jesus, St Anne, St. Maria Goretti, St Anthony, St. Francis, St. Clare, St. Thomas Aquinas, St John Bosco, and many more.

St. Jude’s Academy of the Arts

To reserve a retreat for your school or church group, please contact:

Angie Carboni

(416) 654-9810

angela.carboni@stbernadettesfrc.org

Located at: St. Bernard de Clairvaux Hall, 1795 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON, M6L 1E3

St. Bernadette’s Family Resource Centre provides inclusive programs which allows intellectually and/or physically challenged individuals and their care givers to actively participate with their “able” peers in the community. All proceeds go to assist St. Bernadette's Family Resource Centre, a ShareLife member agency.

Our Charitable Registration number is 13586 6721 RR0001