The freshman class traveled to the Baltimore Basilica for their retreat on September 20. They split the freshmen into two groups. One group went to the Catholic Center while the other toured the Basilica. At the Catholic Center, students listened to a presentation about being a JC Patriot and played a bingo game that allowed them to get to know their classmates. At the Basilica, they broke into smaller groups and toured the building. The trip ended with a gradewide Mass in the Basilica.
“This was a phenomenal experience and I think everyone should experience it.” – Harrison Desai
“I feel that we got to meet more people in our class and become closer to some of the other freshman.”
– Luke Boyle
“My favorite part about the trip was the tour I thought it was very interesting to learn so much new stuff about John Carroll and the building.” – Sydney Heister
“My favorite part about the trip was when the guide told us all the facts and backgrounds of each part of the Basilica.” – Kylie Hinkleman
“It meant something important to be a part of our freshman class trip and to be able to experience our nation’s first cathedral and to learn more about the person our school is named after.” -Madison Chilcoat
“It was a cool experience to go and see the first cathedral there ever was in the United States it felt like i was standing in a room full of history.”
– Aidan Thiebaud
“Being in the Basilica made me feel closer to God and I learned more about the school and John Carroll himself.” – Aaliyah Angel
“[The trip] meant a lot to me and my faith in God. I felt I got to learn a lot about the Basilica and its history.”
– Dallas Anderson
“My favorite part was the tour of the Basilica. It is a beautiful place.”
– Emma Keane
“It was cool that I was able to stand in a part of history that relates to my high school.” – William Hart