University Ministry:
Where the Fog Meets the Light

Nov. 7, 2025

Where the Fog Meets the Light

As the fog rolls over the city and the wind grows a little sharper on Lone Mountain, we’re reminded that San Francisco’s colder days have arrived. With midterms in full swing and projects piling up, it can be easy to get swept up in the rush of deadlines and expectations. But as the chill settles in, this season invites us to pause, to take a breath, to reflect, and to be gentle with ourselves as we move through these busy weeks.  

Patience can feel like a challenge when the semester is moving quickly, yet it’s often in slowing down that we find our clarity. Just as the city takes on a quiet stillness beneath the gray skies, we, too, can find peace in moments of calm: a coffee stop at a local café before class, a walk through Golden Gate Park, or simply sitting in silence for a few minutes before diving back into study mode.  

Midterms are a test of endurance as much as they are of knowledge. They remind us that growth takes time and that every effort, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goals. In this season, patience isn’t just about waiting; it’s about trusting the process and caring for ourselves along the way.  

As the city lights start to glow a little earlier each evening, it’s also a time to draw close to the people who make San Francisco and USF feel like home. Whether you’re sharing a meal with friends, calling family from afar, or attending a cozy gathering on campus, those moments of connection remind us that we are never alone in this journey.  

So as the cold winds sweep through the Bay and the semester’s demands continue, may you find warmth in community, patience in the process, and peace in knowing that brighter days are on their way. The fog may linger, but so does the light within each of us.

Energize your spirit! Join UM and BASE as we visit historically Black houses of worship throughout November. Must register for transportation. All USF community members are welcome!

For questions, email Rev. Ronné Wingate Sims or Professor Sonja Poole.

University Ministry invites you to throw on your HOKAs and fill up your Stanley to join us for our first-ever walking group. A new way to connect, get outside, and embrace movement together! Open to everyone, this group is all about building community while staying active.

Whether you’re looking for a break from studying, some fresh air, or just good company, we’d love for you to walk with us. See you on the path! For questions, email Caton Daval-Santos.

Thursday, Nov. 13 | 6–8:30 p.m.
Fromm Hall, Maraschi Room

Please join us for a timely conversation with Sister Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN. Sister Patricia has worked for decades in nonviolence and anti-racism work. After years as a community organizer, Sister Patricia entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1977. She currently serves as the moderator of the leadership team for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur U.S. East-West Province.

Co-sponsored by the Joan and Ralph Lane Center for Catholic Social Thought and the Ignatian Tradition, Casa Madríz, University Ministry, and the Department of Theology and Religious Studies.

Saturday, Nov. 15 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m.  Golden Gate Park

Join us for a gentle hike through Golden Gate Park’s Strawberry Hill and Blue Heron Lake loop: a mindful journey inviting inner renewal and gratitude. Open to students, faculty, and staff, this free event offers a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature and community.

For dietary or disability-related accommodations, and for more information, email Resident Minister Jordyn Chapman.

Sunday, Nov. 23 | 7 a.m. | Soto Zen Temple

Join University Ministry as we attend three distinct temple services near USF. Meet at University Ministry's office (Toler Hall 122) to walk/take public transit to each temple. Afterward, we will go to a restaurant to reflect and gather in community. You may register for any and all temple visits for this semester (you can also go back and add to your registration).

Visit 3: Soto Zen Temple
Featuring: Zazen practice, morning service, temple cleaning, and tea
Meet at the UM office at 7 a.m.

For more information, email Resident Minister Alice Garner.

Thursdays | 11:30 a.m.
University Ministry, Romero Room

Qmmunity will begin hosting Breaking Bread and the Binary this Thursday and every Thursday throughout the fall semester. This is a place to celebrate your true fabulous self and gain nourishment for the body and soul. Questions? Email Rabbi Camille Angel.

Join our USF Catholic Student Fellowship. We meet every Wednesday for community building, faith discussions, and a 15-minute rosary! For more information, please contact Randon Ronquillo.

We would love to see you there! 

Thursday, Nov. 13 | 12–1 p.m.
McLaren Complex

Our friends at Health Promotion Services invite you to learn from sound healing expert Aaron Maxwell about sound's power for relaxation and stress relief. The meditative experience of a sound bath releases tension and improves mood. Stimulating the body on a cellular level, the sound waves and vibrations improve circulation and metabolism while regulating muscle tension. We look forward to you joining us. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat.

Sponsored by the President's Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Monday, Nov. 17 – Sunday, Nov. 23

International Education Week (IEW) is a nationwide celebration of international education and exchange. Join us from Nov. 17–23, in fostering a deeper cultural understanding within our community and cultivating an inclusive worldview. 

The theme of IEW 2025 is Lighting the Path Across Cultures, a celebration of the connections that illuminate our shared humanity through education, dialogue, and cultural exchange. This year’s events invite us to reflect on the many ways USF students, staff, and faculty light the way for one another through curiosity, collaboration, and global engagement.

Tuesdays (Men's Group) | 11 a.m. University Center 415

Tuesdays | 7 p.m.
University Center 415

Wednesdays | 7 p.m.
University Center 503

Thursdays | 11:30 a.m.
University Center 503

These groups are a space to ask real questions, learn helpful approaches to reading the Bible, and build deeper friendships on campus. This semester, we're looking at Jesus' life and teaching in the Book of John. Contact Troy Tisthammer for more information, or just stop in.

We’re excited to support our colleagues at the Center for Global Education for their upcoming Global Education Immersions. These faculty-led programs offer students the opportunity to engage in meaningful cross-cultural learning experiences in locations such as Ireland, Italy, and Alaska — all while earning academic credit for their time abroad. Sign up for upcoming information sessions below!

Upcoming Immersions:

Civil Rights, Justice and Sport in Ireland
Intersession 2026

Humane Architecture in the Arizona Borderlands
Intersession 2026

Gastronomy and Culture in Italy
Summer 2026

Culture and Environment in Sitka
Summer 2026

Contact Program Director Shawn Dillard for more information.

Please note: These are Global Education Immersions — not Arrupe Immersions.

Thank you for reading our bi-weekly newsletter. If you would like to submit content for future newsletters, please make sure to fill out the UM Newsletter Intake Form. If you have any questions about submissions and deadlines, please email University Ministry.

Content deadline for upcoming newsletter: Thursday, Nov. 13.