Confirmation Retreats
Confirmation retreats are a day of service, reflection and prayer for Confirmation candidates with the hope of connecting their faith to a call to serving our neighbors.
What does the day look like?
9:00am Retreatants and chaperones arrive
9:05am Welcome and introductions
9:20am Icebreaker activities
9:40am Opening prayer – gifts of the Holy Spirit
9:55am Break into small groups
10:00am Rotation: hospitality in Outreach Center, Scripture walk in neighborhood
11:00am Rotation: hospitality in Outreach Center, Scripture walk in neighborhood
12:00pm Lunch
12:30pm Take a Step activity
1:15pm Letters to self
1:45pm Closing prayer
2:15pm Retreatants and chaperones depart
How many students can attend?
We can host a minimum of 10 students and a maximum of 35 students. We ask that at least 2 chaperones attend, one male and one female, that are in compliance with the SafeParish training. We also welcome parents and/or Confirmation sponsors to attend if the maximum capacity of 35 has not been already met.
What does it cost?
- $50 deposit
- $30/participant
- $10/chaperone or sponsor
- +$5/participant if we provide lunch
What would we have for lunch?
For an extra $5 per participant, we will provide LaRosa’s pizza, chips, fruit and cookies for lunch. Otherwise, students should bring a bagged lunch.
What is the neighborhood like?
The Ozanam Center is located in St. Vincent de Paul’s Liz Carter Center at 1125 Bank Street, in the West End neighborhood.
The West End neighborhood has a rich history of immigrants who have fluctuated in and out of the community since its inception in the early 1800s. The community has seen many changes over the years, from Dayton Street’s “Millionaires Row” to the construction of I-75 and the resulting displacement of thousands of residents. However, the neighborhood maintains a strong sense of community and resilience among its long-term residents still today. The West End is currently home to FC Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium and is close to Findlay Market.
We find it very important that students participate in a Scripture walk through the neighborhood to see where the neighbors we serve live and to understand the issues they face. Jesus was born into poverty and look at what beauty came from that!
The group is accompanied by Ozanam Center staff who work in this community and have strong relationships with the different nonprofit partners we visit. St. Vincent de Paul has a strong, long-standing relationship with the West End community and is well respected and appreciated in the neighborhood.