Throughout the year, the Saint Francis retreat program offers a variety of opportunities for students to retreat from everyday routines and enter into a sacred time and space.

The different retreat experiences encourage students to experience God’s presence more deeply through prayer, reflection and connection amongst each other. Retreats at Saint Francis High School are an integral part of the spiritual development of all Holy Cross students. The retreat program is designed to give students an opportunity to remove themselves from an everyday routine to reflect, pray and connect with their peers.

A Four-Year Program

Freshmen Connection & Orientation Days

Our mandatory Freshman Connection and Orientation Days are designed to help students build relationships with classmates and educators, meet their advisors, explore our BRIC value of the year and immerse themselves in our Holy Cross community.

These days serve as a warm welcome to Saint Francis High School, introducing freshmen to the core values of our Holy Cross Family. This marks the beginning of a four-year journey rooted in the Holy Cross Mission, which focuses on educating the whole person—spiritually, intellectually and socially. In the evening, following the Freshman Connection Day, we gather for the Freshman Family Mass and Barbeque. This sacred time of prayer and reflection brings together freshmen students and their families. After Mass, everyone is invited to join us for a meal in fellowship, continuing to build meaningful connections within our community.

Sophomore & Junior Service Learning

The sophomore and junior service learning days are integrated within the sophomore and junior religious studies courses which emphasizes both service and reflection. Each religious studies class travels via school bus to local organizations, where they volunteer for the day in either the fall or spring semester.

This program merges service and reflection to deepen our students' understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities within Silicon Valley, while nurturing their growth in the Christian Holy Cross values of generosity and compassion. The Brothers of Holy Cross have a storied tradition of serving the poor and marginalized and through these service learning days, students actively participate in furthering the Brothers' mission of service.

These sophomore and junior service learning days  align with our broader mission at Saint Francis High School, which is to educate the whole person through spiritual, intellectual and social dimensions. It serves as a crucial component of our students' four-year journey guided by the Holy Cross Mission.

Junior Retreat The Junior Retreat is an optional overnight experience centered around the theme of life's journey. It offers students a meaningful opportunity to reflect on and deepen their relationships with themselves, God, family and friends in an interactive, supportive environment. Throughout the retreat, students will engage in group discussions that explore the core values of friendship, family and faith, while also enjoying time for prayer, relaxation, games and fun group activities. These experiences allow students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their faith, while fostering lasting friendships and connections within our Holy Cross family.

Senior Retreat

The Senior Retreat is a unique, optional and partially silent spiritual journey that offers a profound experience over two nights. Held at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos Hills, this retreat provides an exceptional opportunity to unplug from the demands of daily life and reconnect with oneself, friends and God.

It’s an experience unlike any other at Saint Francis—one that will stay with students long after they leave. They will arrive at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, ready for reflection and renewal and return to campus before 2:00 p.m. on Friday, carrying with them the peace and insights gained during this unforgettable retreat.

How Can We Help?

Liz Franco
Associate Campus Minister, Retreats

P: 650 968-1213 | Ext. 278

Email