Highland Friendship Club Retreat Tradition Returns

Updated 11/12/24
October 30, 2024

On On Saturday, October 26, Cretin-Derham Hall welcomed members of the Highland Friendship Club for a day-long retreat centered on building connections and sharing talents. The event brought together 70 CDH students and over 20 HFC members, reviving a tradition with hopes of making it an annual highlight once again.

Throughout the day, CDH students served as “buddies” to HFC members, helping them with planned activities and sharing experiences. Highlights included a service project where participants assembled “birthday bags” for families in need, outdoor games like kickball, a “Fit with Friends” fitness session led by HFC’s boxing instructor, and a talent showcase where both HFC members and CDH students displayed their unique abilities. Music was another key feature, with some students even bringing their instruments to share.

CDH has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with the Highland Friendship Club, which provides social opportunities for teens and adults with disabilities. For years, this retreat has been a treasured experience for both CDH students and HFC members, offering a space to create meaningful friendships. CDH Learning Specialist Mr. Joe Miley noted that the retreat is a unique opportunity for students to connect with others, including those with disabilities, in a setting where everyone feels valued. For many students, participating means taking a risk—they may face uncertainties about who they’ll be paired with, what the interactions will be like, or how they’ll navigate differences. But Miley believes that the initial discomfort students may feel quickly fades as they begin to learn from HFC members and build relationships.

Reflecting on the day, Paige Wieland '26 shared, “I loved the Friendship Club retreat because I got to meet new and interesting people. I felt myself grow in my relationship with the people of the Friendship Club, my peers, and God throughout the day.” Miley echoed this sentiment, observing that the energy, enthusiasm, and perspective HFC members bring often impact students in unexpected ways. “Whether it’s through their attitude or their outlook on life, HFC members teach us valuable lessons about joy, resilience, and friendship,” he said.

Miley expressed his gratitude to organizers Pat Leseman and Rosemary Fagrelius and the many volunteers who made the day possible and shared hopes of future events with the Highland Friendship Club. He added that these experiences ultimately help students recognize God in their interactions with others and grow in their understanding of what it means to love God and the dear neighbor without distinction. “The connections made at these events,” said Miley, “can lead to long-lasting friendships—whether between a CDH student and an HFC member, between CDH students, or among HFC members themselves—and serve as a source of hope for anyone longing for connection.”

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