Hello and welcome to the GW Newman Center! My name is Rosemary Tonoff and I am the team leader for this year's first timer's retreat. I want to invite all of you to seriously consider joining us for this retreat. We are planning a weekend geared towards welcoming new students to the Catholic community on campus. Also, it is a chance for you to meet other students who share a desire to grow in their faith while at college.

This year's theme is "Don't Stop Believing" and it promises to be a rockin' experience. The retreat takes places at the beautiful Melwood Retreat Center in Nanjemoy, Maryland. Nature's seclusion provides the perfect opportunity to focus on prayer and spiritual guidance as we will take a weekend away from the hectic city.

Looking back, attending the first timer's retreat has become a highlight of my college experience. It is a wonderful opportunity to take a break and reevaluate the direction your new college life is heading. I was introduced to the "family" that exists at the Newman Center and met many of my closest GW friends on that retreat. Most importantly, I realized how important it was to put God and my faith first in my college life.  

I really look forward to meeting each of you and hope to see you on the retreat!