Retreats

Abide Retreat | May 8-10, 2026

Abide is a new preached retreat for both undergraduate and graduate students, led by the Sheil Campus Ministry Team and enriched by small group discussions facilitated by fellow students. Rooted in the Kerygma — the core message of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ — Abide will strengthen your sense of the closeness of God in your life and bring new depth to your relationship with Jesus as we break open the story of creation, the fall, the gift of Jesus, and living into our response to this incredible gift. The retreat costs $150, with scholarships available. For questions, please contact Arielle Joaquin here.

The retreat has reached capacity but there is a waiting list. For questions or to be added to the waiting list, please contact Arielle Joaquin via email here or call 847.328.4648 x13.

The Courage to Say Yes, Fall Undergraduate Retreat | November 13-15, 2026

In Luke 1:38, Mary responds to God with a simple yes: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” That yes wasn’t easy. It wasn’t convenient. And it didn’t come with guarantees. But her yes, literally changed the world. This retreat is an invitation to step away from the noise, pressure, and busyness of Northwestern life—and to get honest about one question: Where is God inviting you to say yes?

Through prayer, witness talks, creative activities, silence, and more, we’ll explore what it really means to trust God in the concrete reality of your life. Your life won’t be defined by what you achieve. It will be shaped by what you say yes to. So, come as you are—seeking, skeptical, searching, or all in. The retreat costs $150, with scholarships available. For questions, please contact Arielle Joaquin here.

Busy Student Retreat | Winter 2027

Students, take time to renew your spirit during the winter term. The retreat lets you stay on campus and continue your studies and other activities while learning to integrate prayer into your daily life. We gather as a group at the start and conclusion and in between you commit to spend half an hour of private prayer and a half hour meeting with a spiritual companion each day. Open to all students and free! For questions, contact Tim Higgins here.

Graduate Students and Young Adults (GYA) Retreat | Winter 2027

Join the annual GYA winter retreat where we travel to a peaceful lake house cabin in Trevor, Wisconsin, about an hour north of Northwestern. Arrive at Sheil on a Saturday morning and we return on the afternoon of the next day. Cost is $50 for Northwestern students, $100 for non-students. Scholarships are available. For questions, contact Tim Higgins here.

All Sheil Day of Renewal | Winter 2027

All members of the Sheil Community are invited to a day of renewal. The day includes time for both personal and group reflection. The day begins at 10:00 a.m. and close at 3:00 p.m. Lunch is provided. The cost is $5 for students and $10 for associates. Payment may be made on site. Student scholarships are available. For questions, contact Martina Ricca here.