University Ministry: Sweater Weather 

Sept. 26, 2025

Stop and Look Around

As autumn slowly unfolds in San Francisco, the season brings with it a rhythm that feels both familiar and renewing. The days begin earlier in shadow, as night seems to arrive before we are ready, gently reminding us that time itself is always in motion. Mornings greet us with crisp, cool air that makes us reach for sweaters or scarves, while afternoons still hold onto the lingering warmth of the sun, carrying us into moments of comfort before dusk settles in. This balance of colder mornings and softer afternoons is nature’s way of inviting us into reflection, reminding us that life, too, is a constant movement between contrasts: light and dark, stillness and activity, challenge and peace.

As we step into this season together at USF, we are called not only to notice these changes in our environment, but to allow them to shape how we live in community. The shifting patterns of autumn can remind us of the strength we find when we are grounded in faith, spirit, and one another. When the evenings grow darker sooner, it is the light we carry for each other that keeps us warm. When the mornings feel cold and heavy, it is the strength of friendship, connection, and shared purpose that helps us rise and move forward. We are never meant to walk through the seasons of life alone; rather, we are invited to lean into the greater community of USF and to find God’s presence alive in the people around us.

This time of year also asks us to think about clarity and care, for ourselves and for others. The business of school, the noise of city life, and the weight of responsibilities can feel even heavier when paired with shorter days. In moments like these, faith calls us to slow down, breathe, and seek clarity. Sometimes that means stepping outside and noticing the colors of autumn leaves, the fog rolling gently over the city, or the golden light that comes just before sunset. Sometimes it means creating space for prayer or reflection, journaling, or simply taking a walk with a friend. And sometimes it means giving ourselves permission to rest, to acknowledge our need for stillness, and to honor our mental and emotional health as an essential part of our well-being.

But autumn is not just a season of inward reflection; it is also a season that reminds us of service. Just as trees shed their leaves in preparation for new growth, we too are invited to let go of what we no longer need and to give of ourselves in ways that nourish others. Service is one of the truest ways we can live out our faith in community; it is an act of generosity, of solidarity, and of love. Whether it is serving those in need in San Francisco, offering encouragement to a classmate, supporting campus initiatives, or simply showing kindness to a stranger, every act of service, no matter how small, is a way of bringing God’s light into the world.

Step outside your comfort zone and journey into a new community, culture, and perspective. We invite you to learn through encounter, reflect in the Ignatian tradition, and discover how faith and justice meet in the real world. Applications are now open!

Deadline to Apply: Sept. 30

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. Our first walk will take us on a scenic lap around campus, starting at the University Ministry office and including a climb up to Lone Mountain, where we can take in the view and reflect on future walks to spots like the Panhandle, Laurel Village, or Golden Gate Park.

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.

Monday, Sept. 29 | 4–6 p.m.
University Ministry, Romero Room

Feeling the climate anxiety?

You're not alone. Join us for tea, reflection, and dialogue on resilience and hope. For more information, email Resident Minister Akash Shaji.

Wednesday, Oct. 1 | 7–8:15 p.m.
Koret Health and Rec Center, The Deli

Join this three-part series led by Amber Julian, Performing Arts and Social Justice program dance instructor and professor.

For more information, email Resident Minister Alice Garner.

Thursday, Oct. 2 | 5–6 p.m.
Lone Mountain 100

Cecilia González-Andrieu, president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States and professor of theology at Loyola Marymount University, explores the relevance of Christian faith in a time of chaos and repression. For decades, and from the margins, Latiné theologians have accompanied and lifted up the community’s struggle for survival and dignity, developing insights born of endurance and rooted in lived experience. Today, these ways of seeing and acting hold lessons our whole society can no longer ignore and urgently needs.

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.

Sunday, Oct. 12 | 10 a.m.
Saint Ignatius Church

Join Patrick Kennedy, director of advancement here at St. Ignatius Parish, after our 10 a.m. Sunday Mass for a tour of our historic church building. If you're a new parishioner, this is a great way to get to know our worship space and our community.

All newly-registered parishioners are invited to get a feel for our worship, community, and ministries during a 30-minute tour of the church. We also welcome anyone curious about joining our parish and those who would like a refresher on our building!

Monday, Oct. 20 | 4–6 p.m.
Getty Lounge, Lo Schiavo Center

Featuring work from alumni Catherine Wolff and Curtis White, this event is sponsored by the MFA in Creative Writing program, University Ministry, and the Department of Theology and Religious Studies. Free and open to everyone interested!

Monday, Oct. 27 | 3–4 p.m. PDT McLaren 251 or Zoom

Join us for a guided meditation in person or online. Guided meditation can help reduce stress, increase patience, improve focus, and more! Open to all students, faculty, and staff! Registration is required.

For more information, email Resident Minister Poonam Kakodkar.

Application Deadline: Friday, Oct. 10 

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the Green Faiths Initiative (GFI) 2025–26 cohort!

The GFI is a student-driven, interfaith, and environmental justice program at University Ministry. Through leadership development, environmental projects, and interfaith dialogue, we aim to build student leaders for environmental advocacy.

Friday, Oct. 31 – Sunday, Nov. 2
Jesuit Center Los Altos 

Be part of the Jesuit experience, make more authentic connections, build community, and more! Email Poonam Kakodkar for more information.

Thursday, Nov. 13 | 6–7:30 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.

Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 12–1 p.m.
Loyola House Jesuit House

Join University Chaplain Donal Godfrey, S.J., for this lunch book club on the following Wednesdays: Sept. 24, Oct. 15, and Oct. 29

We will be reading and discussing Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times by Greg Boyle, S.J., founder of Homeboy Industries. This book club is intended for faculty and staff who are new to the Jesuit mission and want to learn more.

If you would like to join the book club, please email Fr. Godfrey. 

Friday, Nov. 14 – Sunday, Nov. 16
Vina, California

This silent weekend retreat is open to faculty, staff, and students from all traditions. The retreat is with the brothers of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, a community of Trappist monks living a life of contemplative prayer and work. This abbey belongs to the worldwide Catholic order of monks called the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance.

Although this retreat is substantially subsidized by University Ministry, full scholarships are available on a need basis.

Students $50 | Faculty/Staff $100

Sundays | 7 p.m. | St. Ignatius Church

Join us every Sunday for our weekly student liturgies! Visit our website or email Laura Díaz-Flaviani to learn more about our student liturgies. Sign up to be in the choir, or participate as an altar server, lector, or Eucharistic minister.

Can't join us in person? Join by watching our livestream on the St. Ignatius Parish site.

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! 

We will build our sukkah this year on Welch Field, between St. Ignatius Church and Kalmanovitz Hall. Everyone is invited to spend time in the sukkah throughout the week-long Sukkot holiday, held this year in October. All are welcome to hang out, eat lunch or dinner with friends, or use this temporary structure as a place to relax and recharge. In addition, we will be hosting special events and programs in the sukkah throughout the week. 

Tuesday, Oct. 7 | 12 p.m. 
Sukkah, Welch Field

Join us for lunch in the sukkah featuring food made with love by the students in Community Garden Outreach. Bring your friends and fill your bellies and souls. The food is free, and donations are gladly accepted. Lunch will start at noon and will last until the food runs out.

This lunch is co-sponsored by Community Outreach Garden.

Wednesday, Oct. 8 | 6:30–8 p.m.
Sukkah, Welch Field

Join educator, artist, and mystic Hadar Cohen for an immersive exploration of Arab Jewish identity — an identity shaped in the in-between spaces and at the margins of dominant narratives.

Gathering during Sukkot, a holiday rooted in radical hospitality, we'll reflect on what it means to dwell in the thresholds between worlds, and imagine a more inclusive, expansive, and just Jewish future — beyond labels and toward deeper collective understanding.

Sunday, Sep. 28 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | McLaren Conference Center

Join us after Sunday Mass as we welcome back Fr. Greg from his travels and jump into an exciting fall season at the parish with friends old and new.

To make sure that our table is plentiful, please register in advance to let us know you are coming. We'd also love your help with one of our volunteer tasks, such as setting up, greeting, monitoring food and desserts, and cleaning up. You can sign up below.

We look forward to seeing you!

Suggested donation:
Adults $10 | Students $5 | Families $25

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@intervarsity.org for more information, or just stop in.

Friday, Oct. 24 – Sunday, Oct. 26
Alliance Redwoods Conference Center

Join students from around the Bay for an immersive weekend experience through the story of the Bible. 

Join us for a weekend in the Sonoma County redwoods to connect with one another and with God. Students from campuses throughout the Bay Area will experience musical worship, speakers, interactive learning opportunities, basketball, volleyball, and more. God wants to speak to you and partner with you in being a blessing on campus. Join us for the weekend to be spiritually refreshed and to grow your campus impact! Registration closes Oct. 10.

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, Oct. 2