We offer a variety of retreats throughout the year for all of our students.  Every class has their own single-day retreat at some point during each school year, but a favorite of our retreat opportunities is our Kairos Retreat available to the Juniors and Seniors.

Kairos is a Greek word meaning “now is the time” or “God’s time”. Kairos is the opposite of chronos, or chronological time measured in minutes and hours, time marking the sequential events of our lives. Simply put, the Kairos Retreat is time away from schedules, deadlines, school and work to experience time away with God. Kairos has been a blessing to our entire school community.

The Kairos retreat program was developed in 1965 by a team of priests, brothers and laypeople under the direction of Fr. Douglas Brown of the Diocese of Brooklyn. From there the program spread and is now found in most states around the country, although somewhat different formats have evolved.  The Kairos retreat program came to Powers Catholic in 1997 with the help of three schools in the Chicago area: Marian High School, St. Rita High School, and Brother Rice High School.  Powers Catholic High School then went on to train faculty and students from the other three high schools in the Lansing Diocese.

At Powers Catholic, we offer four Kairos retreats each year, two for boys and two for girls.  Open to juniors and seniors, the retreat is a four-day experience of living in a Christian community and deepening one’s relationship with God.  Kairos is led by a team of seven senior student leaders and five adult leaders, including our chaplain. Through large group talks by team leaders, small group discussions, and participation in the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation, the participants grow in understanding that they are loved deeply by God and are not alone in their struggles.  By the grace of the Holy Spirit, minds and hearts are opened, acceptance of others is expanded, old hurts are forgiven, and a greater love of God and others fills hearts to overflowing.  Participation in the Kairos retreat is voluntary, but over 90% of the students attend before they graduate. Many students state that Kairos is one of the most significant experiences of their lives.  A senior boy said “After Kairos I felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.  It was an amazing feeling.”  What a miracle it is when a young person struggling with life’s challenges comes home with his or her faith strengthened and having experienced the loving, healing grace of God.

The long lasting impact of Kairos is significant. A senior girl stated that, “Kairos is what made us a family, not just classmates.”  Some of our students, having been deeply touched by the Kairos Retreat have gone on to initiate a similar retreat program in their universities.  Truly the four days of the retreat might be over, but the experience never ends.

Valaria Sunday
Kairos Retreat Director 

Past Kairos Directors

Jim Skellett 1997-2001

Beth Reynolds 2001-2009

Josh Yecke 2009-2012

Valaria Sunday and Joe Philip 2012 - Present

Father Dan Kogut 2014- Present