September 1-3, 2009
The three-day Novus Freshman Retreat offers incoming undergraduate students the opportunity to connect with one another and to learn more about Catholic life at Penn. Student leaders share their experience of balancing life, faith, and studies while exploring the many opportunities for spiritual and faith formation available through the Penn Newman Center. Novus offers time for communal prayer, small group discussion, recreational activities, individual reflection and the celebration of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
This retreat, held at the Penn Newman Center, will begin on Tuesday afternoon and end on Thursday morning before the beginning of Penn's New Student Orientation.
The three days of the retreat include social, service and spiritual activities that get everyone excited for the start of a great year and future involvement with the Newman Center. The high rate of freshmen that return as upperclassmen leaders is evidence of how the retreat is an unforgettable experience no one wants to miss!
Family members are invited to join us for a prayer service and barbecue beginning at about 5:00 pm on September 1. You can park in our parking lot on Sansom St. between 37th & 38th after 4:30pm. The retreat will begin at approximately 6:30pm.
Click here to register for the Novus Freshman Retreat!
PLEASE REGISTER BY AUGUST 5, 2009! This retreat is free of charge to all incoming Penn freshmen!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the retreat conflict with New Student Orientation?
No. On Thursday, September 3, the retreat will end just before lunchtime to give you plenty of time to get lunch and clean up before NSO activities begin.
How does early move-in work?
The Penn Newman Center, through a financial arrangement with the University of Pennsylvania, will authorize you to have access to your college house at 8:00 am on Tuesday, September 1. Freshmen who register for the retreat will need to additionally register on Penn's webpage for early move-in; students will receive information on how to do that when they register.
Can I bring all my personal move-in items when I move in on September 1?
You may bring all your items for early move-in! Since you will have access to your college house at 8:00 am on Tuesday, September 1, you will have plenty of time to move into your actual dorm room before joining us at Newman at 5:00 pm for the retreat.
Where will we be sleeping and showering on the days of the retreat?
You will be sleeping in your own room on campus for both nights of the retreat. Upperclass members of the Newman Council (our undergraduate leadership organization) will be on hand to walk with you to your college house from the Newman Center in the evenings, and back to Newman in the mornings.
What service projects will we be doing?
Details for service projects haven't yet been finalized. We are collaborating with a coalition of several religious communities (i.e., orders of sisters and brothers) in Philly who are coordinating that part of our retreat. Our group will likely be splitting up into several smaller groups to go out to various sites in Philly for projects. You may want to plan to bring "work clothes" that you don't mind getting dirty; if any more specific attire is necessary, registered retreatants will be notified as soon as that information is available prior to the retreat.
Are there safety concerns with the service projects?
The local religious orders coordinating the service projects are very wise and experienced about what is safe and would never expose any of our students to unnecessary risks. However, we allow all retreatants to make individual decisions about what they are comfortable doing; i.e., if you do not want to participate in some part of the retreat, you have that choice.
If you have any further questions contact Campus Minister Jeff Klein at jeffklein@newman.upenn.edu.
What Upperclassmen Say About Their Freshman Retreat Experience
I think the Newman Freshman Retreat is by far the best way to begin one's undergraduate experience at Penn. Socially, you leave after a few days with a group of people whom you already know and recognize on campus, no matter where you are from. Emotionally, you are able to step back and take a breath before your whirlwind beginning to collect your thoughts on this transition to college. And most importantly--you are able, at the beginning of your college career, to place it in a spiritual perspective. Holding onto your faith is essential in college, and the retreat offers you a glimpse into the very-much-alive Catholic Community at Penn and in University City. If you are Catholic, want to move in early, and meet some tremendous freshmen, upperclassmen and adult leaders, the Freshman Retreat at Newman is the ideal setting.
Eric Banecker
The College of Arts and Science | University of Pennsylvania '11
Email: ejb@sas.upenn.edu
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The Newman Freshman Retreat was the best thing I could have done to start off my freshman year at Penn. I was so nervous about coming to Penn because I didn't know anyone here. After the retreat, I felt more at home on campus. I remember walking down Locust Walk during NSO and recognizing tons of faces from the retreat. That made me feel a lot better about leaving home! One of the best things about Newman is that you meet lots of upperclassmen as a freshman. Whenever I need advice, I always turn to my upperclassmen friends at Newman.
Laura M. McWilliam
The School of Nursing | University of Pennsylvania '10
Email: laurmmc@nursing.upenn.edu
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I think that the Freshman Retreat really helped with the transition into college, especially since none of my friends from home were coming to Penn. I met a majority of the friends I hang out with at Penn now at the Freshman Retreat, so it really helps with meeting friendly people whom you have a lot in common with.
Mary Kate McKnight
The College of Arts and Sciences | University of Pennsylvania '10
Email: markate@sas.upenn.edu
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I met my best friend and two of my roommates on my Freshman Retreat! It's a great way to getcomfortable at Penn a few days before everyone else and meet a bunch of new people who share your values. I was very close to not coming (I was afraid it might be 4 Jesus freaks in a prayer circle) but it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Everyone was down to earth and friendly. It was the perfect environment to start my 4 years at Penn.
Kayla Guarneri
The School of Nursing | University of Pennsylvania '10
Email: kaylamg@nursing.upenn.edu
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The Freshmen Retreat is the perfect opportunity to foster your Catholic faith right from the very first minute you step foot on Penn's campus. It's fun, invigorating, and spiritually uplifting - the perfect way to start off one's collegiate career!
Meeting other Catholic students even before the first day of class really helped me to feel welcome here at Penn. The Penn Newman community has truly helped me to grow in my Catholic faith during my first few years here at Penn.
Kevin Rakszawski
The School of Engineering and Applied Science | University of Pennsylvania '09
Email: kevinrak@seas.upenn.edu
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Click here to register for the Novus Freshman Retreat!
PLEASE REGISTER BY AUGUST 5, 2009! This retreat is free of charge to all incoming Penn freshmen!
