What is "Kairos?"
“Kairos” is a nationally recognized Catholic Christian retreat program for high school aged youth. It takes its name from one of the Greek words for "time." "Chronos" is time that is measured by seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc. "Kairos," on the other hand, is time that escapes measure; it's an undetermined period of time in which something special happens.
For example, in Mark 1:15 we read, "The time (kairos) is fulfilled & the kingdom of God is at hand; repent & believe in the gospel [RSV]." The "something special" here is one's encounter with Jesus the Christ, an encounter that completely turns one's life around & gives it a new focus & fresh coherence. The retreatants have called their Kairos experience, "a special time," or, "God's time," over the years, so we generally say that Kairos is "God's time."
The Kairos retreat is modeled upon the Cursillo retreat for adults. The program focuses on one's relationships with self, with others, & with God. Each day focuses on a different reality, e.g., the individual (Day 1), friends & family (Day 2), & our relationship with God in the person of Jesus the Christ (Day 3).
The retreat is rooted in an experiential dynamic of individual & group participation. The Kairos team is composed mostly of former student retreatants, who draw upon their own life & Kairos experiences to provide living examples of the various concepts encountered during the retreat.
Select students from previous retreats are chosen to become members of the Kairos retreat team. One of these student leaders is appointed the "Rector," who organizes retreat preparation & supervises the student team.
Overall direction is provided by a member of the Campus Ministry team, bro. Douglas Greer OP, a Dominican friar, who currently serves as the Assistant Campus Minister for Kairos & the Christian Service Project. He also also teaches Theology full-time at Fenwick.
Assisted by other faculty & staff members, brother selects & trains student leaders. The adult retreat team members typically include the Campus Minister, various faculty members, & one of the student counselors.
Fenwick High School was among the first schools on the Chicago area to institute this program over 25 years ago. It has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the students, their families, the alumni/ae, the faculty, & the administration. Many students & parents have commented over the years that Kairos was their single most important experience at Fenwick.
How many Kairos retreats are there each year?
Fenwick hosts six (6) Kairos retreats per year. One graduation requirement is that students make a retreat in their senior year. Kairos provides an excellent "in house" opportunity for our upperclassmen to complete the requirement.
Where is the retreat held & how long does it last?
The retreats are held at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, Illinois, which is about thirty (30) miles northwest of the school. The retreat begins on Wednesday evening & runs through Friday evening.
What happens on the retreat?
Kairos is based upon present moment experiences. The retreat team gives various talks on important themes. Each talk is followed by an opportunity to reflect on the material in a small group setting, or in an "open podium" forum.
Each day begins & ends in common prayer. We celebrate the Eucharist together, & also have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Retreatants are also encouraged to spend significant time in private prayer & reflection.
How can I find out who will lead & attend the next Kairos retreat?
You'll find the list by clicking on the "Current Retreat List" tab on the left-hand side of the screen in the content menu.
Student participants & the Kairos team greatly need your prayers & support during their time on retreat.
If you need additional information, have questions, etc., then please contact bro. Douglas Greer OP (708/386.0127 ext. 218).
Please send all e-mail correspondence to:
or, you may write:
bro. Douglas Greer OP
Kairos Retreat Program
c/o Fenwick High School
505 W. Washington Blvd.
Oak Park, IL. 60302
