With the Kairos 85 Retreat having been postponed until November 14th, many students in Grade 12 have now registered for it as this year’s volleyball, cross country, and football seasons end. However, there might be a few among you who are confused about what the retreat is. As a Kairos ’84alumnus and one of the leaders for Kairos ’85, I am not privy to sharing any specific details regarding the retreat as not to ruin its rich and introspective experience but am more than happy to share with you what possible activities you can find yourself taking part in while you participate in the retreat.

Founded in April of 1999 by St. Pauls’ then-Director, Fr. Paul Crouch, the Kairos retreat program came to be when he, alongside colleague Larry Franz, took six grade eleven students to Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri to participate in the Kairos retreat they had organized. Our school conducted its first retreat at Villa Maria Retreat House with the six grade 11 students as its leaders. Since 2021, every Kairos retreat has been held at Camp Manitou. The name of the retreat is derived from the Greek word kairos, which means “the right or opportune moment.” This is what Kairos offers the graduating class every year: the opportune moment to answer God’s calling or serve others in the spirit of universal brotherhood. It is the Lord’s time.

There are a multitude of activities retreatants can do throughout their time at Kairos. At the Camp Manitou grounds, retreatants have numerous lounge areas to relax in, a hockey rink and gym to use during breaks, forest trails to trek through, and board games if you are really desperate for some entertainment. Phones and other devices are prohibited from being used by retreatants, as Kairos Leaders will be asked to collect phones from students arriving in the morning each day of the retreat. Trust me when I say you will not need your phone during Kairos.

Arriving at Camp Manitou on the first day of the K84 Retreat, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Anyone behind organizing the week-long event kept everything under wraps, and I was among other retreatants whom I didn’t know. However, as the days passed and the retreat continued, I got to know more about the people who were with me and grew quickly comfortable around them. Sharing meals with them and trailing through the woods that stretched beyond the campgrounds with them were some worthwhile experiences I do not intend to forget about anytime soon.

The Kairos Retreat is a vital part of the St. Paul’s community and should be something all students are a part of during their graduating year. Not only do these events strengthen your love and connection with God, but it strengthens the connections you have with your brothers.