Encountering the Brotherhood

by Brady Curran and Seamus Raab

SEATTLE- When meeting an O’Dea Alumni you should always ask what was their highlight of their time at O’Dea, some may say going to Prom, playing a sport or even going out with a couple of friends, But the most responses are experiencing the Brotherhood Encounter.  

What is an Encounter? Encounter is a defining experience that introduces students to a welcoming community with support, love, and a strong sense of belonging. It is a time set apart from everyday routines where students are encouraged to reflect on who they are and how they can relate to others.  

O’Dea’s community Is very unique in ways most schools cant relate. O’Dea is an all boys Catholic High school which preforms and teaches the practice of being a true Gentleman. During these teachings O’Dea still recognizes that its students are individuals who are still learning and growing 

At O’Dea High School, the Encounter retreat has gained a reputation as one of the school’s most impactful traditions, while still remaining largely secretive. Started by Father Tim Sauer, he planed on having two to three Encounters every year to give students multiple chances to experience it, with two to three happening every year O’Dea will reach its108^th Encounter in February.  

Encounter is known for taking participants out of their normal routines, which can cause mixed emotions at first. Junior Grayson Goodman recalled feeling unsure before the retreat, saying, “When I heard they were taking my phone I felt skeptical and very curious.”  Looking back, he challenged the idea that Encounter is pointless, just like a lot of kids at O’Dea who thinks its not worth their time, “To kids at school that think it’s a waste of time… it’s not.”

Goodman added that “from the three years I’ve been at this school it’s one of the coolest experiences I’ve had,” showing how strongly the retreat resonated with him. 

The Impact of going can truly resonate with a variety of students, but some can truly make the difference of becoming something truly great. Josiah Scanlan Is a Senior and current school Chaplin of O’Dea, has traveled to 3, and plans to go on his 4^th Encounter during his time at O’Dea. Josiah has played a major role in leading the encounter, exploring the deep spiritual reset that the encounter is for. When asked about the encounter and what is it mainly about he responded with “O’Dea is built on a Brotherhood and within the brotherhood its hard to express these words in everyday life. The Encounter gives students time to be vulnerable, reflect and most importantly, to be disconnected with only you and your faith”.

Josiah has comeback to lead the encounter multiple times after going on his first, finds ways to help the brotherhood “I think everyone should go as leader the experience you go through is completely different then going as a participant, you get to appreciate the hard work that not only the upper class men do but the teachers that give up there own time”.  

The Brotherhood experience doesn’t end only at the Students it can also be shared and related to. Mr. Carlson Is a English Teacher, teaching English Sophomore and Junior year. Mr. Carlson joined the O’Dea community within a couple of years ago and has been on multiple encounters. “Putting them in that position of being away from school and away from there phones can hold them to have a true conversation to open up and tell what truly matters”. Going on encounter is not a requirement at O’Dea but is heavily recommended from all who experience it. With Mr. Carlson continuing to go on more encounters so has the rest of the faculty and staff. “I think all staff should go although people can’t be forced to go it is an opportunity to witness the personal growth of all students”.  

The impact of Encounter is also evident in the experiences of O’Dea alumni, including Neph Apostol, a former student who later helped lead the retreat.

Apostol emphasized the sense of connection Encounter creates among participants, saying, “It created that brotherhood everyone talks about.” He explained that “people you may not know well become your friends because of the things you learn on Encounter,” highlighting how the retreat strengthens relationships.

Apostol also noted the importance of Encounter during the high school years, adding that “at this age, 16–18, when you’re still trying to find your place in this crazy world, Encounter can help you find that and give you some encouragement.”

Together, these perspectives show why Encounter continues to hold a meaningful place in the O’Dea community.