Enriched Experiences

There is not really a moment that goes by in a day at LFA that hasn't been positively impacted by someone who has given a gift. One of the shining examples of community giving this year was the Grade 11 retreat hosted by our Campus Ministry team. In early May, the Campus Ministry team was able to treat our Grade 11 students to a fully funded retreat to the beautiful and serene, Cheakamus Centre in Brackendale, BC. Located by the Cheakamus River in the Paradise Valley region, the setting served as a beautiful backdrop for a day of reflection, learning, and gratitude. The theme of this particular retreat was “Ad Lucem, To the Light”; giving students the opportunity to take a break from the busyness of their everyday lives, relax, and have fun while growing in relationship with themselves, others, and the divine light that dwells within all of us. 

 

As the students arrived to the Centre in the early hours of Monday morning, they were greeted and welcomed in by Tsawaysia Spukwus, a member of the Squamish nation. Tsawaysia graciously shared her history, knowledge, and traditional Indigenous music with the students. What followed was a full day of activities that gave the students an opportunity to renew and refresh as they participated in a variety of prayer services, games, and exercises. This included reflections on light and the indigenous history of the land they were visiting, a meditation on the sacredness of creation, a candle light prayer service, and a mindfulness nature walk, which gave the students the opportunity to think deeply about their connectedness to the land and the sacredness of the place. A primary learning outcome of the retreat was to help students understand who they are and where they come from to help inform them as disciples capable of positively transforming their communities and the world at large. The students were also treated to locally sourced, sustainable, and nutritious meals prepared by the staff. Overall, the staff and students that participated in the retreat had an overwhelmingly positive experience, some even citing it as the “best retreat ever!”

This truly one-of-a-kind opportunity was made possible thanks to the enormous generosity of those who gave to our Walkathon, Annual Fund, and Endowment Funds, along with funds raised by our Parents Auxiliary. Examples like this serve as a testament to the power of community support. It’s through our philanthropic resources that we are able to provide our students an exemplary Catholic girl’s education that enriches them both academically and spiritually. The LFA experience stretches far beyond first block and the dismissal bell: clubs, sports, events, retreats, and all extracurricular activities in between are supported and sustained through the generous philanthropic support of our community.

Amazing things are made possible because of a giving community. From the moment the girls arrive at school until they go home at night, you make a difference in their lives.