2017 Senior Women's Retreat Reflection

September 22, 2017

"You are altogether beautiful my love, there is no flaw in you."

This passage from the Book of Song of Songs was the theme of this year's Senior Women's retreat.

A group of ten inspired women began planning a retreat last May that would focus on building community, women’s health and making memories with their Senior sisters.

Under the amazing leadership of Jordan Sundt, Claire McMahon, Maya Quigley, Grace Altier, CJ Robinson, Sophia Wackman, Abby Aanonsen, Grace Conklin, Katie Mattocks and Sydney Strong, 102 senior women enjoyed an overnight at YMCA Camp Ihdahapi on September 17 and 18, 2017.

The women participated in a candle holder art project. The inspiration for the retreat grew out of the spring Women’s Spirituality course and it was the third annual CDH women’s gathering that students have organized.

The inspiration for the retreat grew out of the spring Women’s Spirituality course and it was the 3rd annual CDH women’s gathering that students have organized. There were field games, cabin talks, a candle holder art project, sharing of personal stories, a student led Communion Prayer Service on the theme of forgiveness, a s'more bonfire, and evening prayer with their candles focused on being light in the world.

The second day we had a candid women’s health presentation by Ms. Ann Marie Froehle, Anatomy teacher extraordinaire on how critical it is to love and care for our bodies.  Students  ended the retreat by blessing one another with oil and reminding each other how much of a blessing they are in our community.  Ms. Cait Heinz also helped facilitate the retreat along with Ms. Janet Watson and Ms. Sophia Mongovin, our St. Joseph Worker in Campus Ministry.

Since returning to campus, seniors have shared that there are more friendly 'hellos' in the hallway and a new level of appreciation and connection among their senior sisters.

To see our beauty more clearly, shine our light a bit brighter and stand taller together as sisters, retreat moderator and Derham Hall graduate Jackie Bohrer'82 noticed how much the retreat embodied the power of women together because women really need each other and there are times when gathering together is not only fun but deeply empowering and healing.