Kairos means a God-ordained season for action – a significant moment that stands apart from chronos, the ordinary flow of time. It is a time of self-reflection, a time to be still and a time to draw close to God. As our group leaders often reminded us, Kairos comes at the moment you need it most.
I am Sidharth, and this is my experience from the days I was fortunate enough to spend with an incredible group of people. The Kairos experience comes differently to each person. For some, it brings tears; for others, it brings moments of wisdom, care, love and support. For all of us, it offers something unforgettable. The three-day retreat is truly an experience of a lifetime.
I sincerely believe many people are missing out on this life-changing experience. As Rev. John Savard explained to me, and as I witnessed firsthand, there are some common misconceptions – that you must be Catholic, or that Kairos is only for undergraduates. That is simply not true. Kairos is about entering a deep sabbath, reflecting on your actions, bonding with nature and with God and feeling, seeing and sharing the greatest gift we have been given: love.
As a graduate student, I am deeply grateful to the entire Campus Ministry team for giving me this opportunity. I am especially thankful to Rev. John Savard for allowing me to write this reflection and for gracing us at Kairos with his prayers and leadership. It was also a privilege to meet the wonderful staff who made this retreat possible.
To Mr. Daniel J. Horstmann – thank you for accepting my application, for giving me this chance, and for the beautiful music you shared with us. To Ms. Valerie Kisselback – your guitar melodies and heartfelt prayers added a warmth that stayed with me long after the retreat. To Ms. Kathleen Haimoff – thank you for helping me when I struggled with the bedding and for your kindness. Each member of the Campus Ministry staff radiates joy and I am honored to know them.
When I arrived at Kairos, I only knew two people. By the time we ended our journey on a quiet Sunday afternoon, I found myself thinking about how much each person had come to mean to me. It is an invisible bond we formed – one that came from witnessing each other’s stories, struggles and hopes. I truly believe that in our brief time on this beautiful place called Earth, we are meant to create meaningful connections. That is what being human is.
Today’s world pulls us farther apart. Technology – designed to bring us closer – often distracts us from real relationships. Perhaps that is why one of the few strict rules of Kairos is the absence of phones and laptops. And I am glad for that rule; it allowed us to be fully present with each other.
I feel blessed to have met every friend I made on this trip. The student leaders – Kallie, Samantha, Gianna, Theodore, Maeve, Elizabeth, Kate and Jane – are remarkable people. They guided us with compassion and reminded us of the most important questions of life: Who am I? Why am I here? What do friendship, love and forgiveness truly mean? Their leadership gave us perspective and helped each of us rediscover something within ourselves.
In my small group, I had the joy of spending time with my wonderful friends: Samantha, Patrick, Andrew, Alex and Angelina. Our group leader, Samantha, is someone whose decision to become a nurse reflects her selfless desire to serve humanity. So few people choose paths of service, and even fewer remain committed to it. Her presence made our group feel safe, grounded and inspired. Patrick is a friend with a genuinely warm heart. Andrew is the kind of friend who listens deeply and makes you feel understood. Angelina is patient in both thought and word; like Samantha, she is also studying to become a nurse. And then there is Alex, whose courage and honesty I truly admire. Now, I proudly call them my friends. For someone who believes that nothing in life is truly random, I know I was destined to meet each one of them and to learn from them.
Then there were my friends Matthew and Anna – the only two people I knew before Kairos. Matthew’s wisdom and knowledge are qualities I have always admired, and Anna’s companionship and beautiful smile can brighten anyone’s day. Through them, and through everyone I met at Kairos, I felt an immediate sense of belonging.
I was also fortunate to meet Claudia and Teddy Leavy, who always had a joke to share and brought so much joy to our time together. Teddy Butynes, one of the student leaders, became a close friend, and I learned so much simply by being around him.
The experiences are countless, and the relationships cannot be summarized in just a few words. But I am grateful – truly grateful – to have met every one of them.
The emotions I felt during Kairos were intense, overwhelming and beautiful. I felt compelled to share this because no one should miss this opportunity if it ever comes their way. Every moment in Kairos is thoughtfully crafted, inviting you to learn, to pause and to ponder. Many new participants come in hearing whispers about a “special surprise” – and yes, there is one. It is a moment that touches every heart. It reminds you of your worth and fills your heart with gratitude, the irreplaceable value of the people in your life and just how deeply you are loved. It is something you must experience to understand. I feel lucky to have been part of this retreat. As a graduate student – and an international student – it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make memories, to find peace and to form beautiful relationships grounded in friendship and love.
Kairos gave me a pathway closer to God – the greatest gift of all.
Before closing, I also want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Fairfield Mirror team. Thank you for your dedication, your effort and the great work you do in giving voice to student experiences. Your commitment allows stories like mine to be shared, remembered and cherished by our community.