Fourth Form Emphasizes Service at Retreat

Our Saints were on a roll at their Fourth Form Retreat, preparing more than 150 sandwiches— each with a handwritten note attached—for delivery to the Dorothy Day Hospitality House in Danbury, Connecticut. They also took time to reflect on what it means to serve others.

Several Sacristans played key roles in the retreat. Audrey Greenleaf ’25 and Gracen Shea ’25 offered the evening’s opening and closing prayers, and Clare Kelly ’25 presented a meaningful reflection on her service experience on the hilltop. 

“What is so special about this school is how a Canterbury education develops the whole person,” Clare told her younger peers. “Saints excel in the classroom, on the athletic fields, on stage, but even more, as people. Always remember the power that simple acts of service and kindness hold. Your actions shape our community and culture.” 

The group was also asked to contemplate important questions as they were making the sandwiches, such as “How does performing service make you feel?”…“Why do you think Canterbury emphasizes service opportunities?”…and “What other ways can the campus community serve those in need?”

Joshua Leeuw, Director of the D’Amour Center for Faith, Service & Justice, was delighted with both the students’ dedication and the end result. “It was a terrific night. We had tremendous participation, and the students were deeply engaged in the process,” he said. “When I delivered the sandwiches to Dorothy Day House the next afternoon, they were excited and extremely grateful.”

Dorothy Day Hospitality House has been providing meals and shelter to those in need in and around Danbury since 1982.

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