University Ministry:

Feb. 13, 2026

In San Francisco, we are no strangers to contrasts. One day brings warm sunshine that invites us outdoors, while the next brings steady rain that sends us searching for shelter. Our city’s ever-changing weather reminds us that life here is shaped by both beauty and challenge, by fog and light, hills and valleys, stillness and motion. In many ways, this rhythm mirrors our own spiritual journeys, especially as we enter the sacred season of Lent.

Lent invites us into a time of reflection, sacrifice, and renewal. It is a season that asks us to pause in the midst of our busy schedules, to notice where God is present in our lives, and to consider how we are being called to grow. Like San Francisco’s shifting skies, Lent holds space for both quiet introspection and hopeful anticipation. It is a time to acknowledge our struggles while trusting in the promise of new life.

In a city known for its diversity, creativity, and resilience, this season offers us countless opportunities to live out our faith through service and compassion. From the Tenderloin to the Sunset, from Lone Mountain to the waterfront, we are surrounded by neighbors who carry unique stories, hopes, and challenges. Lent reminds us that our faith is not meant to be lived in isolation, but in relationship, with God and with one another.

Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we are invited to examine what we hold onto and what we might be called to release. Perhaps it is time we spend scrolling, habits that distract us, or comforts we rely on. In making small sacrifices, we create space for deeper connection, with God, with our community, and with our own sense of purpose. These sacrifices, like the rain that nourishes our hills and gardens, help prepare our hearts for growth.

Service is at the heart of this season. Whether it is volunteering, advocating for justice, offering companionship to someone who feels alone, or simply showing kindness in everyday moments, our actions matter. In a city that moves quickly and often feels overwhelming, these small gestures become powerful signs of hope. They remind us that love is most visible when it is practiced consistently and generously.

As members of the University Ministry community, we are called to walk together through this season, to support one another in prayer, to listen deeply, and to respond faithfully to the needs around us. May this Lent encourage us to be present, courageous, and compassionate. May we learn from the rhythms of our city: to welcome both sunshine and rain, joy and struggle, knowing that God is at work in all of it.

May this season renew our spirits, strengthen our commitment to service, and deepen our sense of belonging in this vibrant San Francisco community.

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.

Saturday, Feb. 21 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fuschia Dell, Golden Gate Park

Join us for a forest bath or "shinrin-yoku." Deepen your relationship with and tune into the healing power of nature. Revitalize your health and well-being.

All USF students, staff, and faculty are welcome!

Register by TODAY, Feb. 13. For more information, email Poonam Kakodkar.

Sunday, Feb. 22 | 9 a.m.
University Ministry, Toler Hall, Lower Level 122

Join University Ministry as we attend four distinct temple services near USF. Meet at University Ministry's office to walk/take public transit to each temple.

Food will be provided during or after each temple visit together, as we 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).

For more information, email Alice Garner.

Saturday, March 7 | 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.    Las Gallinas Birding Loop

Join us for a mindful birding retreat that blends gentle walking, quiet observation, and guided reflection. Slow down, tune into birdsong, and cultivate presence, curiosity, and connection with the natural world — no prior birding experience required.

Lunch, binoculars, and a birding basics guide will be provided. All USF students, staff, and faculty are welcome! We hope to see you there! 

Register by Feb. 28. For more information, email Poonam Kakodkar.

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 spring semester. This is a place to celebrate your true fabulous self and gain nourishment for the body and soul. Questions? Email Rabbi Camille Angel.

Wednesday | 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m
University Ministry, Romero Room

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! 

Fridays | 12–12:30 p.m.
University Ministry, Romero Room

Join us for Jumma Prayer every Friday in the Romero Room, led by USF's Muslim chaplain, Imam Sundiata Rashid.

Jumma is a weekly Friday prayer service observed by Muslims in the afternoon.

Please come by or email USF's Muslim Student Association's co-presidents, Areeshah Farooq and Poya Moussali.

Look out for updates regarding weekly Quran study events in our upcoming newsletter!

Tuesdays | 12–12:35 p.m.
University Ministry, Romero Room

We’re back on Tuesdays! Orthodox Christian Fellowship is a student-led group dedicated to exploring the Orthodox Christian faith and fostering our spiritual growth in the ancient Apostolic way. We are a small but dynamic group of students from many different backgrounds who share a common desire to grow closer to our Lord Jesus Christ and learn more about the 2,000-year tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church. All students, including non-Orthodox, are very welcome! Pizza will be provided for lunch. In addition to our weekly meetings, we regularly connect with OCF chapters at other Bay Area schools for events and worship. We also hope to host more informal events this semester, such as movie nights or book club meetings.

Please come by or email our student leader, Christianna Yano, or our spiritual adviser, Fr. Kirill Sokolov.

Student-Led Bible Discussions:

Mondays | 6:30–7 p.m.
University Center 503

Wednesdays | 7–8:30 p.m.
University Center 503

Grad Student, Faculty, and Staff Bible Discussion:

Thursdays | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Kalmanovitz Hall 399

These groups are a space to ask real questions, learn helpful approaches to reading the Bible, and build deeper friendships on campus. This semester, our weekly conversations will focus on the Psalms. Contact Jackie 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:

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, Feb. 19.