This graduate-level Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) and Jewish Studies and Social Justice (JSSJ) certificate program trains and prepares students to implement systemic change around anti-oppression, social justice, and human rights in professional contexts. With a curriculum rooted in current research and best practices around multiracial, multicultural, and multifaith values, students engage with current political and social realities with a focus on equity and intersectionality within the larger context of education both in relation to and outside of the “Jewish world.” This certificate is the country’s only graduate-level program focused on Jewish studies and social justice systemically infused with JEDI values, developed to train professionals to work within, between, and beyond Jewish-identified communities.

Tuesday, April 18 | 12–4:30 p.m. | University Ministry (Toler Hall 122) 

In partnership with USF's One Earth Initiative, we invite you to celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, April 18, as we read the words of Pope Francis’ Laudato si' in front of the Laudato si' inspired mural on Toler Hall. 

We hope our community reading of Laudato si' will reflect the religious, spiritual, and cultural diversity of USF through many voices and languages. The Pope wrote this urgent appeal to care for our common home in 2015.

The university is part of a collective effort to respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the oppressed as we promote transformative ecological education and spirituality, community empowerment, and a sustainable lifestyle supported by a more just economy. 

Celia Deane-Drummond (Oxford), Paul Fiddes FBA (Oxford), Norman Wirzba (Duke), and Cyrus Olsen (USF) will share their latest research on ecology and spirituality. The recent publication of Loving the Planet: Interfaith Essays on Ecology, Love, and Theology will form much of the conversation.

Rejuvenate yourself by joining us for a Mindful Movement Retreat organized by the University Ministry and the Health Promotion Services on Wednesday, April 26 from 12–1 p.m. at Gleeson Plaza. Mindful Movement is designed to raise awareness of your body-mind connection. You will be guided through various exercises to strengthen your deep postural muscles, improve core strength, and ways to coordinate your breathing and movement together. Free snacks will be available and raffle prizes to be won!

Register Here »

The American Pilgrimage Project is exploring the role religious beliefs have played in crucial moments of people’s lives. You’re invited to help us tell the story.

This is an opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with someone you know relatively well about the ways in which your religious beliefs have shaped your life during critical moments. In this space, the StoryCorps folks will capture a conversation between you and a loved one, mentor, friend, etc. as you reflect together about matters of life and faith. These recorded conversations will be archived in the Library of Congress forever so it's a great way to preserve a piece of your personal or shared history for future generations.

All faith or non-faith traditions or understandings are welcome. Students, faculty, staff, and members of the community are welcome and encouraged to participate. Conversations will be held on the USF Hilltop Campus and take around 40 mins. If you or someone you know would be interested in participating, please contact Pooja Reddy to book your slot. If you have any questions, you may also contact Rev. Ronné Sims.

DATE CORRECTION: The dates have now changed and this event will now run from April 26 – 28.

Mondays | 12:30–1:15 p.m. PDT | Zoom

Join us for a guided meditation to start the week right. Guided meditation can help reduce stress, increase patience, improve focus, and more! Open to all students, faculty, and staff!

Register in advance through Zoom. For more information, email Poonam Kokadkar.

A graduate study at USF is looking for students who meet one or more of these qualifications to participate in a study on "non-traditional" student persistence at Jesuit Catholic universities.

Qualifications:

If you meet any of these qualifications or have questions, please contact Caitlyn Rei or Ria DasGupta EdD. Starbucks gift cards will be given out to the qualifying students who complete the survey.

Participants are needed for a graduate student study of nonreligious students at USF.

You may qualify if you:

All majors and class years are welcome! All participants will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card.

To sign up or learn more, please contact Stephanie Felton, or call or text (415) 494-7202. 

Transfer students are encouraged too! This is a safe space for undocumented, international, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, genderqueer, nonbinary, womxn, and, femme-identifying folx.

Sundays | 7 p.m. | Saint Ignatius Church

Join our weekly liturgy and engage in prayer and deep reflection with other students! All are welcome. 

Would you like to be a lector, acolyte, Eucharistic minister, altar server, greeter, or choir member for any of these liturgies? If interested, please contact Ana Karen Barragán. 

Join us every Thursday as we explore the intersectionality between our unique spiritual traditions and our LGBTQIA+ identities.

For more information or if you’d like to meet with Rabbi Angel, please contact csangel@usfca.edu.

The Arrupe Immersion team had the opportunity to meet with immersion participants in a unique retreat. The retreat was centered on discussing student experiences after their immersion and reflecting on their journey. Students also had the opportunity to meet the donors that support Arrupe Immersions. We thank every student who participated and we look forward to hosting this event next year! 

If you would like to participate in immersions next year please feel free to fill out our interest form.

Monday, May 1 | 11:59 p.m. 

Catholic Mobilizing Network is currently holding a national poetry contest for young Catholics, between the ages of 18-30, to submit a poem on the death penalty and its injustices. Those who submit a poem for consideration before May 1 have the opportunity to win up to $1,000. 

Students may post their submissions here, and visit the FAQ web page for more information. Any additional inquiries can be directed to CMN’s Director of Community Engagement Emma Tacke. 

Ever notice how your mind can race at 1,000 mph? We are often so busy reviewing the past or rehearsing the future. Oftentimes, we struggle to keep our appointment with life — here and now.

This free course will introduce you to mindfulness and its energy to awaken your life. Whether a newbie or adept, faculty, student, or neighbor — all are welcome. This is a weekly, recurrent event. For more information, email Professor Gary Gach. 

Mondays | 7–8:30 p.m. | UC 415 

These weekly spaces are a great place to build friendships and discuss questions about faith. Each week we look at a short section of the Bible together and base our discussion on questions from the group. All faith backgrounds are welcome!  

These groups meet every week at three different times:

For more information, email Jacqueline Tisthammer.