Campus Ministry will host a retreat this week with the aim of bringing female students and University members together for a night of relaxation, fun and spiritual growth.

The event, titled Women’s Retreat: Cup of Life, will take place Thursday, April 22 from 4 to 9 p.m. in the D’Angelo Center.

According to the St. John’s Website, the goal of this year’s event is “to explore the many ways in which we allow ourselves to be filled too much and how we may be able to empty ourselves in order to be fulfilled.”
While there have been mixed gender retreats, Campus Ministry recognizes the necessity to offer single gender retreats.

“There is a difference between the way that we think and grow spiritually as men and women,” said Abigail Furness, a campus minister who will be co-hosting the event.

Students are not the only group invited to take part in these events. All women from within the St. John’s community may attend the affair.

Campus Ministry also encourages all to attend regardless of their religious beliefs.

“We are trying to get people to grow in their own spirituality, whatever that maybe,” said Furness.

Catherine Giancatarino, a resident campus minister who will also host the event has high expectations for the events.
“I hope the women who come, find it as a nice evening of camaraderie, relaxation, and faith building,” she said.

This year’s Cup of Life event was originally scheduled for Feb. 26 in St. Thomas More Church, but due to heavy snow which resulted in the school’s closure, it had to be rescheduled.

Students who want to attend this retreat must RSVP at the office of Campus Ministry, located in Marillac Terrace or online through St. John’s Central.
RSVP is open until the day of the event on Thursday.