Campus Ministry Newsletter
April 2016
Welcome back from what I hope was a restful and rejuvenating spring break. The gift of rest and reflection provides us with the ability to recenter and recommit ourselves to our work, relationships and service.
Lent is also a time for reflecting and recommitting to one's relationship with God. It is a time to disrupt unhealthy behaviors and patterns which lead us away from God and each other. As humans it's easy for us to get stuck on our sinfulness. We worry God or others won't love us. There are also times when we exclude others or question their worthiness of love. In yesterday's Gospel we hear Jesus telling of God's love and mercy through the parable of the prodigal son. This story conveys God's love as inclusive and unconditional. Jack Jeezrel, the founder of JustFaith Ministries, suggests God's love is a love without exception. It is a love with such breadth that there is no limit. If we truly understood God loves us without exception, how would that change the way we treated ourselves and our encounters with one another?
As we begin the second half of our semester let me offer a few questions for reflection.
- Where can I use my education and privilege to model God's love and mercy?
- How do we imitate God's love without exception for those who are marginalized by structures and/or our own actions because of race, culture, sexuality, gender, abilities, religion, politics, etc...?
- Who are voices calling me to be a person for and/with others? Who are voices calling me to exclude?
As you return to campus I hope you will engage in these questions and in the many prayer experiences, events, retreats and speakers Campus Ministry offers.
Peace & blessings,
Seán Bray
Programs & Events
Belief Series
Throughout this semester, Campus Ministry is excited to be hosting viewings of Oprah Winfrey's documentary series, "Belief." This series examines and reflects on our entire global community, and explores belief through the lens of traditional faith backgrounds, diverse spiritual practices, and those who are searching for the meaning of life.
Please join us on Mondays at 7PM in Campus Ministry as we view one of the seven episodes of this documentary series. Our final showings the semester will take place on April 4 and April 18. If there are any questions, please contact Jeffrey Gilcreast at jmgilcreast@loyola.edu.
EVENSONG
Please join us for Evensong on Thursdays at 5 PM in Alumni Chapel. Evensong is a beautiful evening of prayer, song, and student-led reflection. Pizza & fellowship follow in Cohn Hall 133. Our March Evensong Presiders will be announced.
Just Films: Aziz Ansari
Join us on Monday, April 11 at 7:00 pm in the Alphonsus for the April installment of Just Films! This month we will be exploring issues of gender and sexism in modern culture with an episode from Master of None, Aziz Ansari's Netflix series. Come for prayer, entertainment, dialogue, and reflection. Popcorn will be provided!
SOUP WITH SUBSTANCE
This semester, Soup with Substance will focus on awareness and dialogue about specific justice issues prevalent in our world today. We choose one topic in which to discuss so that we may gain multiple views and understand the issue on a deeper level. We invite several different people throughout the community to come join in this conversation, serving as a conversation partner and engaging with and listening to the students who will ask questions and provide opinions. We will use a round table discussion model to ensure everyone's voices are included in the conversation.
For the month of April, Soup with Substance will be held on April 20th from 12pm-1pm in College Center Room 105. We will be discussing LGBTQPIA+ Issues. A simple meal of soup and bread will be provided. All are welcome!
SpiritualiTEA: Connecting Through Diverse Spiritual Practices
Join us for SpiritualiTEA this April. We invite students from all spiritual backgrounds and identities to gather in community to explore different spiritual practices and reflect together over a cup of tea. Each night will be guided by a person or group who utilizes the practice as a regular part of their spiritual life. SpiritualiTEA is offered on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month in Fava Chapel.
For more information, please email amdee@loyola.edu or mlinz@loyola.edu.
Adoration
Retreats
A.M.D.G.: The Retreat
Join us from April 15 - 17, 2016 at the A.M.D.G. retreat! A.M.D.G. stands for Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, or “for the greater glory of God,” the motto of the Society of Jesus. The A.M.D.G. Retreat will have a new format this year, focusing on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. It will offer an introduction to key parts of the Exercises, including the “first principle and foundation,” growing as a person who discerns, and finding God in all things.
save the date
LOYOLA and CRS Partnership
InterPlay with Rev. Wakoh Shannon Hickey
This month we will be practicing InterPlay with Rev. Wakoh Shannon Hickey, a priest of Soto Zen Buddhism at one session and additionally praying with song at the other session in April. Sessions will be held on Wednesday, April 6 and Wednesday, April 20 at 8pm in Fava Chapel. Keep an eye out for flyers and more information on Campus Ministry's website, Facebook and Twitter in the coming weeks.
PRAY AS YOU GO LENTEN RETREAT
LIFT EVERY VOICE
MASS SCHEDULE
Sunday Mass Schedule during the Academic Year (2015-16)
- 11:00 a.m. in Alumni Chapel
- 6:00 p.m. in Alumni Chapel
- 8:00 p.m. in Fava Chapel (Hammerman)
- 10:00 p.m. in Hopkins Court
Weekday Mass & Liturgy Schedule during the Academic Year
- 12:10 p.m. Monday-Friday: Daily Mass in Alumni Chapel
- 5 p.m. Every Thursday: Evensong (Evening Prayer) in Alumni Chapel | This week's presider: Patrick O'Connor class of 2016
- The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated each day (Mon. – Fri.) before the 12:10 p.m. Daily Mass