Retreat Helps St. John Vianney Students Focus on Tolerance, Forgiveness and Acceptance

Just take a look at the news headlines on any given day and you’ll find examples of fear, anxiety, and self-preservation. What can parents do to help extract pearls of wisdom and teach kids to aim high despite the apparent chaos?

St. John Vianney Catholic School’s annual 7^th grade retreat arms students with tools to develop "acceptance, tolerance, forgiveness and love for our differences," according to Claire Hoffmeyer, SJV’s Associate Director of Youth Ministry.

On Thursday, Sept. 27th, the 7^th graders participated in a retreat, led by Ms. Hoffmeyer, at the Schoenstatt Retreat Center in Waukesha that included scripture study and guided reflection designed around the central theme — Loved by God.

As part of the retreat, Fr. Phil Bogacki spoke about his faith, the students participated in small group discussions, attended mass, and reflected on people in their lives that provide good role models of compassion, acceptance, good judgment and good friendship.