By Nereen Dmello for BIS Mumbai

St. Dominic Savio High School, Andheri, organized a meaningful two-day retreat for students of Standards IX and X on August 5 and August 6, 2025. Separate sessions were held for Catholic students and those of other faiths, offering each group a space to reflect, reconnect, and grow.

 The Catholic retreat was led by the School Rector, Fr Franco Pereira, and Vice-Principal, Fr Jeswin Mastan. Fr Pereira began with an inspiring reflection on The Our Father, highlighting how often we recite this prayer without truly understanding its depth. “If we don’t have passion, we are passive,” he said, urging students to listen to their conscience as a way of listening to God.

 Fr Mastan’s session explored faith and relationships through the lens of the Holy Spirit’s gifts and the roles of Christian discipleship. He addressed contemporary challenges such as peer pressure, fear of rejection, and identity confusion. “I learnt how I can make my relationship with God better,” shared Master Kylan from STD IX. Students were encouraged to be ‘a minority of good’ in a world that often values conformity over conviction. The retreat concluded with a Eucharistic celebration, leaving many spiritually renewed.

 For students of other faiths, the retreat focused on the theme Celebrating Equality and Harmony. Conducted by guest speaker Fr Rudolf D’Souza, Director of Shelter Don Bosco, Wadala, the session began with interactive activities like Human Bingo and a Privilege Walk, sparking honest conversations about differences and acceptance.

 A powerful screening of the film ‘Daredevil Musthafa’ helped students reflect on bias, empathy, and unity. “I realised how our daily behaviours reflect our values,” said a student from STD X, after participating in the discussions. The retreat also featured a reflection on discipline, global issues, and social media’s influence on youth.

 In both groups, students were encouraged to ask questions, share their thoughts, and discover new perspectives. The retreat was not just a break from academics—it was a call to deeper understanding, purposeful living, and anchoring oneself in values that matter. The students left the sessions carrying not just notes in their diaries but reflections in their hearts—a sign that the seeds of faith, equality, and introspection were truly sown.