Koinonia is derived from a Greek word meaning “fellowship” or “community.” It is often used in the New Testament to refer to the early Christian churches, which met in generally small and intimate settings. A weekend Koinonia retreat is a reminder of those early days, but also an opportunity to live in community with others. During a retreat, you will have the chance to hear about the faith of student leaders and share your experiences with other participants. (But don’t worry- you’ll still have some time to yourself!) But Koinonia is more than just a weekend retreat. Koinonia is a community! The very first Newman Foundation Koinonia retreat (NFK 1) was held in February of 1981, and we are now approaching NFK 100! Join hundreds of Koinonians who are active in several ministries offered through St. John’s Catholic Chapel and stay connected far beyond graduation.

Each Koinonia retreat is co-ed and open to those of all faiths. The weekend is experienced from a Catholic perspective, but being Catholic is certainly not required. Generally, participants must be current students of the University of Illinois or Parkland College; a limited number of participants may be from other schools; however, all participants must be college-aged.