KAIROS # 11

MOORE RIVER WESTERN AUSTRALIA
July 17– 20 , 2005

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Kairos #11 ? Amazing Experience!

When boys return from KAIROS ? the four-day Retreat experience for seniors ? they are ?fired up?! Many are heard to say things like: ?It?s the greatest experience of my life!? They are eager to talk with friends and family about all that has happened for them.

To anyone who will listen, they are eager to tell what an awesome experience they have had. They encourage their mates to ?sign on? and they encourage their younger brothers and friends to make sure that they don?t miss out on the opportunity when it comes.

From those who have been on earlier Kairos Retreats there is a knowing shake of the head and a wry smile, because they know exactly what it is that has the latest group of Kairosians so excited. But when the uninitiated make further enquiries, they come up against a stony silence, or at best, a response like: ?You have to find out for yourself!?

None of the Kairosians want to tell their friends too much about it. Not that it?s a big dark secret, but rather, to tell too much might spoil it for others. It would be like revealing the ending of a movie or a novel. And besides, Kairos is a unique and individual experience for each boy who participates. What happens for one does not necessarily happen for another. It all depends on the extent to which a boy wholeheartedly enters into the experience.

And Kairos means ? the Lord?s special time. So it?s important to let the God of Surprises reveal Himself and His grace for each retreatant. Everyone?s relationship with God is unique. Kairos #11 was held at the end of the July Semester break. This was our last Kairos Retreat for the Class of 2005. Kairos #12 in December will be for the Class of ?06.

When the Kairos Retreats began at Trinity in 2002, our senior boys were quite wary of them, and had to be encouraged to take the risk. Three years later, it?s completely the opposite. As soon as the announcement is made that the Application Forms have been released there?s a stampede to Campus Ministry and each Retreat is fully subscribed within 24 hours.

The word has been spread by past Kairosians, as well as by parents of past retreatants. These parents all attest to the positive and rich experience that Kairos has been for their sons.

And for Trinity, Kairos has been a true blessing. These retreats have enriched our whole school community. They have enabled our senior boys to speak freely and willingly about their faith. There has been a ?cultural shift? in our faith community. Boys who practise their faith can speak openly and proudly. You could say that it?s now ?cool? to volunteer for retreats, and all the other ways that Trinity offers opportunities to be Faith Leaders within the school.

Reflections »