In 1998, students who wanted to take part in Campus
Ministry’s LGBT retreat took an application from a secret drawer, separate from
the wall of applications for the other retreats. The retreat itself was held in
a hotel off campus Retreat talks focused mainly on finding the courage to “come
out” and on finding a life within the church. And, after the retreat, follow-up
discussions and reunions were also held off campus. Everything was done so that
students could keep their sexuality a secret.
“It was a different place in society and acceptance,” said Tami
Schmitz, Campus Ministry’s Director of Undergraduate Ministry who once worked on
the LGBT retreat. Over time “straight” allies were invited to come on the
retreat as well, which Schmitz said made it a happier experience, as students
were joined by their friends, RAs, and other supporters. Eventually though, the
core of student leaders who supported and lead the retreat graduated, and the
retreat was no longer offered. “Not because Campus Ministry didn’t want it, but
because it ran its course,” Schmitz explained.
Since then, Notre Dame has experienced changes that have
helped grow the university in the areas of equality and inclusion. The creation
of a full-time Gender Relations Center, the changes to the inclusion clause,
and the creation of the “Beloved Friends and Allies” plan,which prompted the
creation of PrismND, have all made it possible for the LGBT retreat to return
to Notre Dame.
This spring, PrismND in partnership with Campus Ministry and
Gender Relations, is offering a new and improved LGBT retreat. Gone is the
secret off-campus location and the hidden application forms. Just like ND’s
many other retreats, this year’s LGBT retreat will be housed at Sacred Heart
Parish Center and the application is available
online. It is entirely student lead and has been organized by Stephen Fisher with help
from Prism’s Spiritual Committee and Campus Ministry’s Pastoral Care and
Outreach Coordinator Ed Mack.
“As PrismND develops the retreat, we draw upon our past
experiences with the Freshman Retreat, Senior Retreat, Latino Freshman Retreat,
Asian/Asian American Retreats, and the Silent Retreat, as well as our
experiences with spiritual direction and Campus Ministry’s interfaith resources,”
Fisher said. “At the same time, we have tailored this retreat to serve and
respect a diverse LGBT community with a variety of experiences regarding faith,
spirituality, and sexuality, including those that are Catholic and
non-Catholic. I cannot predict how the manifold influences on the retreat or
the insights shared by the retreatants will shape the conversation on LGBTQ
issues, but with certainty I can say it will provide for a intellectual, spiritual,
and social experience.”
Fisher is full of enthusiasm for the retreat. “Others and I
are excited because it’s Notre Dame’s mission to nurture an inclusive campus
for every individual student. Recognizing that the current campus climate for
LGBTQ students presents its unique strengths and challenges, PrismND’s
Spirituality Committee first met to ask ourselves how we could contribute to
this mission. We made a choice to create a retreat where LGBT students could
come to reflect and rest, and begin to share their questions and experiences
with faith, spirituality, sexuality, and gender identity. To accomplish this in
the context of community--we hope-- will foster a deeper sense of fellowship
among LGBT students at Notre Dame. To see that unfold will be priceless,”
Fisher said.
The retreat will include talks by four student speakers,
unique prayer experience, and time to reflect and socialize with new friends.
It is open to all students at Notre Dame, St Mary’s, and Holy Cross, but it is
primarily geared toward students who identify as LGBTQ.
