Once we have received your registration, you will receive an e-mail from the Connections team with information and directions for the weekend.

Check-in time for the retreat will be 6:30-7:30 pm on Thursday, June 25, 2009. Our team will be unable to receive you before 6:30 pm unless you make other arrangements with us in advance. When you arrive on campus, come to St. Mary’s Hall (#48 on the full campus map ) to register with our student leaders and get settled.

The weekend will conclude at Noon on Sunday, June 28, so please plan your travel arrangements accordingly. We will conclude with a Mass at which all are welcome, including your parents or whoever might be picking you up!

Because you will be staying in a dorm room, there are a few things that you should bring: toiletries, a pillow, a blanket, towels, and sheets or a sleeping bag. You will be staying in an air-conditioned residence hall on campus so it will be cooler at night. Also you will use community bathrooms, so bring your flip flops for the shower! The dress for the weekend is very casual. Make sure to bring appropriate clothing for our day of service, including sneakers, and clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. The group also will be going on a trip into the city of Philadelphia, so please bring some spending money in case you would like to buy anything.

Other Useful Information

All retreatants are staying in Single Rooms at St. Mary’s Hall. You will have a sink, but men’s and women’s bathrooms are communal down the hall.

Arrival Information. Please plan on arriving between 6:30 and 7:30 PM.If you are going to be much earlier due to train/plane schedules, please let me know by email. You can hang out on campus and in the St. Mary’s Hall lounge before registration starts, but your rooms might not be available until 6:30 PM.

Flying into Philadelphia? If you would like a flight pick up, let us know. There are a few who would appreciate a ride. Let us know when you are arriving and we will send a van. Once we know the schedules, we will let you know WHERE and WHEN the van will pick up. We will have more than one van run if necessary! Even if you already sent me flight info, send a quick note to make sure I have the information.

Taking the Train from the Plane? Trains leave the airport about every half hour. Buy one ticket all the way to Villanova station. You will have to change at 30th Street station. Trains run at least every half hour, and take about 25 minutes. Worst case scenario: Half hour wait for Airport Train, 20 minute ride, half hour wait at 30th St, 25 minute ride to Villanova for a total of 1 hr and 45 minutes. If you make perfect connections it could be as short as 45 minutes!About $6.00- $7.00, pay cash on the train.

Train to Villanova University? Take the SEPTA R-5 from Center City Philadelphia to Thorndale/Malvern/Paoli. Get off at Villanova Station. Walk under the Road, do not cross back under the tracks). St. Mary’s Hall is large building to your right. Enter behind the building by the signs to “Second Story” store.

Parking - FREE PARKING for the weekend of Connections.  Park in the West Campus lot, behind St. Mary’s Hall. Do NOT park in the STAFF spaces.You will get a parking pass when you register! Parking on Main Lot or Main not allowed. Directions? Take gate to West Campus off Spring Mill Road.Guard will direct you to St. Mary’s lounge for registrations.

Late arrivals? Please make every effort to arrive on time. If there is a delay, please call me (Father Chris Drennen, OSA) on my mobile phone: 323-252-5119 to let us know when you will arrive. Once we start our program on Thursday night, we will be all over campus and the area, so we will not be waiting for you at St. Mary’s!

What else to bring? Bedding and towels and toiletries and all you will need for communal bathrooms and showers! Dress casually. Rooms are air conditioned, but there are many outdoor activities. Be prepared to be in the sun. Cash will only be needed if you want to buy a Philly Cheese steak in South Philly (no credit cards) ! The University Shop on campus takes credit cards and cash if you want to stock up on Villanova T shirts, etc!

If you have any questions, please contact

Christopher Drennen, OSA 610-519-5177