Richland School Hosts Augustinian Values Retreat

Students from 11 North American schools gathered in Richland for a four-day program focused on faith and service.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Catholicism

Richland School Hosts Augustinian Values Retreat

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St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland recently hosted the Student Augustinian Values Institute, a four-day retreat for 88 students and chaperones. The event gathered participants from 11 schools across North America to deepen their Catholic faith through prayer and service.

Why it matters

The gathering aims to foster community connections among students while strengthening their Catholic identity. Organizers hope the friendships formed during the retreat will endure long after the students graduate.

The retreat hosted students from California, Oklahoma, Ontario, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Each of the 11 participating institutions sent a delegation of six students and two chaperones.

The players

St. Augustine Preparatory School

This educational institution in Richland served as the host site for the 2026 Student Augustinian Values Institute retreat.

Old Saint Augustine Church

Located in Philadelphia, this historic church was a central site for the retreat participants' cultural and religious touring.

The details

Participants engaged in student-led icebreakers, daily prayer, and reflection sessions, alongside service activities like preparing care packages for veterans and sandwiches for the hungry. The program also included visits to historical sites in Philadelphia and a field trip to Ocean City.

The four-day retreat took place during October 2026 at St. Augustine Preparatory School.

Culture Shift

The retreat's historical excursions to Philadelphia align with the broader educational focus surrounding the nation's 250th birthday anniversary milestone. This integration of tradition and civic engagement reflects a shift toward place-based learning in modern student ministry.

Residents may notice an increased presence of student volunteers engaging in community service projects across the area. The program highlights the school's ongoing commitment to local outreach and charitable activities.

The takeaway

The event demonstrates how retreats can bridge geographical gaps to foster a unified identity among diverse student groups. Participants are encouraged to maintain their service-oriented connections as they return to their home communities.