Journeys of Love and Acceptance: LGBT Retreat

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.