Campus Ministry Newsletter
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Welcoming December - A Message from CM Director, Seán Bray
As we enter December, we move into a holy time of year as Christians begin Advent and Jews celebrate Hanukkah.
For Christians, Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation of Jesus’ birth into the world. Perhaps this year, more than ever, we are resistant to immerse ourselves into a sense of waiting. We all are waiting for something. We’ve been waiting since last Spring for the coming of a COVID-19 vaccination and a return to Loyola. We’ve been bearing the weight of separation from our loved ones and communities. We’ve been waiting for racial justice and reconciliation in our relationships, systems and society and bearing the brokenness, death and pain born of this sin. Perhaps we’ve been waiting for change in ourselves or an opportunity. Maybe we are waiting to rekindle our relationship with God. Each of us intimately knows waiting, the practice of bearing through or hopeful anticipation. Ignatius reminds us to be attentive, reflective and loving in these times. Notice where you find life and hopefulness. Notice where you feel stagnant or restless. Reflect on how you are preparing and creating space for God to enter into your life. Reflect on the many ways God is present to you. Seek ways to bring forth hope, love, joy and peace into the world through your actions.
Within the Jewish tradition, Hanukkah begins on December 10 and ends on December 18 this year. The eight day Festival of Lights marks the rededication of the Jewish Temple in the 2nd Century. A remembrance of the miracle when a single container of oil, used to light the Temple’s Menorah, lasted not the one day as expected but rather eight. Hanukkah is celebrated with the nightly lighting of the Menorah, with prayers and blessings, gifts and food. How might this miracle remind each of us that all things are possible with God? Remind us not to look at the limitations before us but the possibilities?
May this season of Advent and Hanukkah truly be a reminder that God is with us in our waiting and all things are possible with God.
New This Month!
Walking Through The Season of Advent
This year, Campus Ministry will take a week to focus on each of the following four themes of Advent: Hope, Faith, Love, and Peace. Follow along with us on Instagram and check out our very own Advent Calendar made by the Liturgical Ministry team at Loyola!
We hope you will also check out the following resources this Advent Season:
Jesuit Refugee Service Advent Calendar - Walking With Refugees
Ignatian Spirituality Advent Reflections
Rise Up: A Weekly Call to Solidarity from Ignatian Solidarity Network
Black Catholic History Month
The first African-American member of her congregation, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Sr. Thea gave presentations across the country which included singing, gospel preaching, prayer, and storytelling in order to spread God’s love and to dismantle racial and cultural barriers. Her work encouraged people to communicate with each other to understand other cultures and races. She was the first Black woman to address the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, where she challenged bishops on racism within the Church. She spoke bluntly about the joys and challenges of being a Black Catholic woman in a time when the lived experiences of Black Catholics were not widely recognized.
Campus Ministry also honors the rich history of Black Catholic trailblazers in Baltimore. Our city was the home of the first congregation of African American nuns, the Oblate Sisters of Providence, founded by Mother Mary Lange, which began the oldest operating school for African Americans, St. Frances Academy. The country's oldest African American Catholic Church, St. Francis Xavier, and the first African American priest, Rev. Charles Randolph Uncles also resided here. In spite of obstacles and opposition, these Black Catholics witnessed their faith, ministered to their people, and left lasting legacies that shape the Catholic Church today.
Feast Days in December!
Join us as we celebrate the following Feast Days in December 2020:
- St. Francis Xavier - Thursday, December 3rd
- Immaculate Conception - Tuesday, December 8th
- Virgen de Guadalupe - Saturday, December 12th
Gospel Choir's Fall 2020 Virtual Concert
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Save The Date!
Decompress with Cura!
December 4th at 7pm
Looking to wind down before final exams? Join Cura's Community Decompression Session!
Students are welcome to join Cura Faith Sharing Groups this Friday on Zoom for an hour filled with games and reflection. If you are interested, visit the zoom link here at the start of the event.
Contact: Chanali Sweeper, CM Grad Assistant
The 32nd Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols
December 20th at 7pm
This year, Loyola University Maryland will celebrate its 32nd Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. While Lessons and Carols may look different this year, we are still looking forward to holding this very special event virtually. The event will be released virtually here.
This annual ecumenical service, rooted in the great English choral tradition, combines music and scripture readings of the Advent Christmas Season in a beautiful candle-lit setting.The Loyola University Chapel Choir and guest artists, under the direction of George P. Miller, Associate Director of Campus Ministry, perform seasonal music from a broad range of musical styles and traditions.
Contact: George Miller, Associate Director
Christmas Eve Mass
December 24th at 4pm
Contact: George Miller, Associate Director
Intern Selection 2021-2022!
Applications for these leadership opportunities rooted in faith and justice will open again in Spring 2021. Come to an info session to learn how you can build your career skills on campus and help serve the community as a Campus Ministry Intern!
Info sessions will be held on the following dates:
- Wednesday, Feb. 10th at 6 p.m
- Tuesday, Feb. 16th at 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 25th at 6 p.m.
Click here to learn more about the positions and application process!
Contact: Seán Bray, Associate Director
Interfaith Hope and Renewal Prayer Service
January 28th, 2021 at 3pm
Each year in January we begin our spring semester with an Interfaith Hope and Renewal Prayer Service (H.A.R.P.S.) to serve as a blessing for our Loyola community. We will be hosting H.A.R.P.S. virtually this year and we hope you will join us.
H.A.R.P.S. recognizes the diversity and richness of the various faith traditions represented at Loyola and in our surrounding communities. Leaders from local faith communities, faculty, staff, administrators, students and community partners all share together in prayers, readings, reflections and blessings to inspire hope and renewal in the life of our community.
Contact: Rev. Scott Adams, Assisstant Director
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Weekly & Ongoing in CM!
Friday Journal Prompts
Every Friday - Pause, Rewind, & Play
Quick Convos with Father Jack
Father Jack will be hosting quick conversations with Loyola students throughout the semester on topics relevant faith, humanity, and this current season we are in. Quick Convos will be shared each week to the Campus Ministry Instagram Story, on @jackdennis53!
Check out last week's convo featuring Anna Hess, '21, reflecting on Thanksgiving!
Contact: CM Intern, Flor Paniagua-Peart, mfpaniagua-peart@loyola.edu
CM Student Support Drop-In Hours
To request a general appointment, email Seán Bray at sbray@loyola.edu and we will follow up to schedule a time. We look forward to hearing from you!
Livestream Catholic Masses
Wednesdays at 12:10 pm
Sundays at 5pm (Alumni Memorial Chapel) and 10pm (Hopkins Court Lounge)
First Fridays Monthly at 8am
To become a lector for mass, contact litmin@loyola.edu!
Visit www.loyola.edu/campusministry for live-streaming and zoom links.
Join the Liturgical Ministry Community!
Want to get on the awesome weekly emails from the LitMin team? Interested in getting involved at Mass? Sign up to become a Liturgical Minister! Lector positions are currently available for Fall 2020. While we're virtual, the community of liturgical ministers stay connected with weekly reflection and prayer emails and opportunities to connect. If you are interested in being a Eucharist Minister or Minister of Hospitalities once we return to live instruction, you can sign up for those future positions as well!
Contact: CM Interns for Liturgical Ministry, litmin@loyola.edu.
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Resources & Campus Partners
Support at The Counseling Center
The Counseling Center is offering many services for support from individual counseling, group counseling, virtual workshops, consultations, comprehensive referral support, to online anonymous communities. To learn more, call the counseling center at 410-617-2273 or visit their website.
The Study's Services
Classes stressing you out? Get support at The Study. The Study offers free and online tutoring, workshops, and coaching. Workshops are held throughout the semester and cover topics such as exploring learning styles, avoiding test stress and anxiety, and more. Time management and organization coaching as well academic coaching provide additional assistance in a one-on-one format.
To learn more about and register for any of The Study’s services, please visit www.loyola.edu/thestudy.
Career Services Drop-Ins
Monday-Friday 1pm to 3pm
Monday-Wednesday 7pm to 9pm