The Shrine of Our Lady of the Island offers a number of retreat days for all age groups from Elementary to Adult. We provide Parish Staff Days of Prayer to strengthen and encourage your staff members. Our Ministry Days of Prayer can provide an opportunity of fellowship and prayer for all of your liturgical ministers, catechists or ministers of outreach. Your group can also schedule a self-directed retreat day here at the Shrine. You can have full use of our buildings, grounds and media equipment which include two large screens for DVD, power point etc.
Teen retreats include special days for Confirmation, Graduation, and Youth Ministry groups including themes of Discipleship, Choices, Young Peoples Initiation (YPI-see comments below), Marian topics and other titles for Middle School, High School and Young adults. We also offer presentation based on Theology of the Body for teens and young adults. Schedules for the day can include contemporary outdoor Stations of the Cross, Outdoor Rosary Walk including all four mysteries and Mass with students participating as liturgical young leaders. We can create a unique prayerful experience for any age group with the use of video and hands on media. Schools and Parishes returning include St. Francis Cabrini - Coram, Our Lady of Mercy - Hicksville, Mc Gann-Mercy High School - Riverhead, Our Lady Queen Apostles - Center Moriches, St. Peter the Apostle - Islip Terrace, St. Matthews - Brooklyn, St. John the Evangelist - Riverhead, St. Peter and Paul - Brooklyn, Assumption of the BVM - Centereach, St. James RCIA - Setauket, St. Michaels and St. Gabriels - Brooklyn, Immaculate Conception - Westhampton Beach, Holy Angels Regional - Patchogue and more!
Our Young Peoples Initiation (YPI) retreats have taken on a life of their own! High School and confirmation age students come to the Shrine with a parent or their sponsor and participate in a day of prayer and reflection. The theme for the day is "Made in the Image and Likeness of God". It builds on the characteristics of God and the Blessed Trinity. We begin with a reading from Genesis 1:24-27. Read below some of the comments of the participating students.
"It brought me and my step-father close, and we bonded for the first time in many years. The retreat taught me that we could relate to many things." –Daniel M.
"...At the end of the day you saw how much more the good out weighed the bad in people. My favorite part was near the end of the day when you took a walk with the person who you brought and shared an experience when you felt God was with you. My mom and I shared our stories and our relationship seemed to be closer." –Cynthia C.
" I learned that my dad wants to know what's happening in my life. I think my father and I needed this time and all fathers should do this with their sons. ...my body and mind were at rest." –Anthony M.
Call the office to register your group: 631-325-0661 or E-Mail us at shrineoffice@optonline.net