Xavier College Preparatory’s Kairos retreat is well-known for its spiritual awakenings and the new connections the participants make with God which many girls enjoy. Three of Xavier’s campus ministry leaders Danielle Burr, Kaiti-Lynn Beazley and Elise Fraher are happy to announce that Xavier now has a class dedicated to Kairos and its mission.
Burr, theology teacher and Kairos retreat coordinator at Xavier, devised the idea of having a Kairos class last year. She knew how important and life-changing Kairos was to the students who went on the trips, and she desired to make the retreat come to the classroom.
She got her idea approved and immediately went to junior theology classes asking for people to join. Once enough students had signed up and filled out the application form, the class began.
Just like the Kairos retreat, it doesn’t matter if one is religious or not, everyone is able to attend. There are a few requirements, however, to be able to join the class. “You must attend a summer Kairos trip, have availability in your schedule, a parent’s permission, follow school and Kairos directives, and you must assent to have talks and lead small groups,” Burr said.
The class meets during third period, and the teachers have voiced how vital the class is to everyone who joins. “It gives them time and structure to fill a need to have a dedicated time during the day to build leadership and Christian faith while having open conversation with the whole class,” said Burr.
Zaara Arora ‘24, a leader of the Kairos class, agrees saying, “I had a lot of self-discovery and self-realization. You find yourself in more of a spiritual way.”
If one is afraid of being in the spotlight, no worries. All are encouraged to open up, but there is no such thing as “taking the spotlight” in the class.
The teachers and the Kairos class as a whole have received a lot of positive feedback. “They’re not just telling you what’s in the Bible, they’re teaching you to really understand and put it (lessons) into your daily life,” said Zoe Lopez ‘24, another leader in the class.
The class doesn’t just consist of learning about faith. It opens eyes to a new world where vulnerability is welcomed without judgment.
“It has taught me that it’s OK not to be OK, to share your feelings and be vulnerable. No one will judge you for what you are feeling and what your experiences are,” Aurora said.
School can be stressful with testing, homework, juggling sports and other extracurricular activities.
If one is thinking about joining the class, but feel as though there is no time, all will be glad to know that it is a calm and peaceful environment.
“School can be so overwhelming, but having this class to sit down and collect your thoughts while also having teachers who are there for you really makes a difference,” said Arora.
