Student Retreats and Experiences
To learn and grow as a follower of Christ, we are called to step outside of our comfort zones! At OLSH, there are plenty of offerings for students to attend retreats and experience the faith through regional, national, and even international events throughout the year.
Class Retreats
- The Freshman class attends an on-campus retreat where they participate in activities to get to know their classmates. Speakers are invited as witnesses to help the students better understand and grow in their identity in Christ.
- The Sophomore class visits St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oakland for their day-long retreat. Boys and girls are separated to discuss being true men and women of God. They are also given an in-depth tour of the cathedral.
- The Junior class visits a local seminary for a day-long retreat focused on vocations. Students are encouraged to explore vocations of religious life, marriage, and celibacy and how to live as disciples of Christ through whatever path they choose.
- Seniors attend an opening retreat during the first week of the year where they are encouraged to become the spiritual leaders of the school. The year ends with a retreat to reflect on their high school experiences especially the blessings of the friendships they have formed and the Catholic education they have received.
Chi Rho
Chi Rho is an annual retreat for juniors and seniors. The 4-day overnight retreat is based in faith, fellowship, and personal growth. Students deepen their relationships with their friends and teachers, while experiencing Christ in a real and personal way. Modeled after the popular Kairos retreat model, Chi Rho also creates an escape from daily life through games, activities, and some special surprises throughout the weekend. Students who have attended once can then apply to become a student leader.
Love Walk for the Poor
Since 1990, students and faculty at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School have honored the legacy of Felician Sr. Louise Marie Olsofka by participating in the Love Walk for the Poor. Held each year on the Sunday closest to Valentine’s Day, participants brave the cold to walk from the OLSH convent to the Felician Sisters’ cemetery for a blessing, then return to campus to drop off their donations. Walking in the cold carrying their donations is an essential and powerful aspect of this walk as students experience hardships faced by the poor who must carry all their possessions with them.
March for Life
OLSH has participated annually in the March for Life in Washington D.C. since the '90s. A group of students and faculty make the pilgrimage to support the Pro-Life movement in January on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling.
Mission Trip
Each summer, a group of current OLSH students, alumni, and faculty join together to do service for a community in need. Past trips have included participating in Catholic Heart Work Camp, a trip to the Felician Outreach Center in Kingstree, SC, and a trip to Frenchville, PA.
Franciscan University of Steubenville Summer Conference
Students attend a four day retreat/conference at Steubenville University where they attend various workshops and listen to speakers. They are given time to meet other youth from around the country who share the Catholic Faith. It is a powerful experience where they can truly meet Christ in the Sacraments and grow in fellowship with those around them.
Notre Dame Vision
Every summer OLSH sends a group of students to the University of Notre Dame to attend Notre Dame Vision. Known as ND Vision, this five day summer retreat brings together high school students from across America for self-reflection by providing them with a new vision. The seminar touches on several subjects including life, faith, individual God-given gifts, and how every person is uniquely called upon by God to steward those gifts during a lifelong journey to change the world. Since the summer of 2005, the Tisch family has graciously funded scholarships for OLSH students to attend ND Vision. Visit the official ND Vision site for more information on this transformational experience.
Seeds of Hope
The Felician Sisters sponsor a week-long retreat in the summer called Seeds of Hope. The program invites sophomore and junior girls from the Felician sponsored high schools to come together for a week of fun, prayer, and service. The retreat is held in Holly, MI and students apply to attend. Each winter, a representative of the program visits OLSH to share about the experience with our girls and encourages them to apply. Interested young women must apply in the winter before the summer they hope to attend. Past attendees serve as mentors and leaders on the experience and several OLSH alumni have been selected to serve as leaders.
World Youth Day
World Youth Day is celebrated internationally with young people from every continent gathering with the Pope every 2-3 years. The young adults celebrate their faith with the Pope and with each other. Participants experience life the way it is lived in the host country and learn how other Catholics live their faith. World Youth Day is an unforgettable adventure! Click here to visit the official World Youth Day website.
OLSH's World Youth Day History:
- 1993 - Denver, Colorado
- 1995 - Manila, Philippines
- 1997 - Paris, France
- 2000 - Rome, Italy
- 2003 - Toronto, Canada
- 2005 - Cologne, Germany
- 2008 - Sydney, Australia
- 2011 - Madrid, Spain
- 2016 - Krakow, Poland
- 2019 - Panama City, Panama
- 2022 - Lisbon, Portugal - plans are underway for an OLSH trip to WYD 2022!