University Ministry: Journey of Renewal
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The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) and continues through the Holy Week before Easter Sunday (April 9). Lent is a time of year when Christians throughout the world seek spiritual growth and renewal through a commitment to prayer, almsgiving, reflection, and service. Lent offers an opportunity to dedicate new time to nourishing our spirituality, seeking strength and wisdom in our personal lives, and re-committing to becoming bringers of justice and peace into this world.
We look forward to walking this Lenten journey with you this holy season. University Ministry offers the programs listed below to all members of the USF community to support your spiritual journeys. Please consider taking part in one or more of these activities—open to those of all faiths and none. If you are interested in learning more about Lent, please feel free to stop by our office.
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Distribution of Ashes
Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 12–1 p.m. | Outside University Ministry, Toler 122
University Chaplain Donal Godfrey, S.J., will distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday outside University Ministry, Toler Hall at noon. All are welcome.
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Ash Wednesday Liturgy
Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 7 p.m. | Saint Ignatius Church
We invite you to renew your spirit and faith in God in community at our Ash Wednesday service. University Ministry will distribute Lenten prayer books and crosses to pray, reflect, and engage with others during the season. Contact Ana Karen Barragán for more information.
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Lenten Book Club
Monday, March 6 | 12–1 p.m. | Loyola House Jesuit Community
Read some of the essential writings of American spiritual writer Thomas Merton. Merton is considered one of the most influential spiritual writers of the twentieth century. We will be reading "Thomas Merton: Essential Writings," Orbis Books, 2000. University Chaplain Donal Godfrey S.J. will lead a conversation over luncheon at the Loyola House Jesuit community. This book will run over a series of three sessions beginning March 6. The next sessions will be held on March 23 and March 30. Space is limited. Registration is required.
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Lenten Footprints
Fridays | 12:30–1:15 p.m. | Zoom
How do you live out in your own life the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving? Whether we have decided to do something new this Lent, or have continued our own traditions, our Lenten practices transform us and imprint on us memories that carry deep meaning. Lenten Footprints invites you to look into your life and discover your own powerful and meaningful Lenten moments. Lenten Footprints is an opportunity to build community, deepen your spirituality, and prepare ourselves for the season of Lent. Open to all USF faculty, staff, and students. Dates: Feb. 24, March 10, and March 24. Registration is required.
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Living Stations of the Cross
Tuesday, April 4 | 12 p.m. | St. Ignatius Church
Those who are interested can gather at the steps of Saint Ignatius Church (Fulton Street entrance) for a guided procession across campus with meditative stops along the way. Please email Fr. Donal Godfrey or Angélica Quiñónez with any questions.
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Virtual Way of the Cross
Everyday | Virtual
University Ministry has created a virtual Way of the Cross that is accessible 24/7 for your personal prayer.
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| University Ministry Events
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"Building Community and Connections among Undocumented Students"
Friday, Feb. 17 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Romero Room (Toler 122)
Building community is a crucial part of USF's mission. Join us for this exclusive event and meet other undocumented students. This is a safe place to connect and learn about the Magis Fellowship and its requirements for applying in the spring. Mingle in the Romero room while enjoying snacks and refreshments to kick off the IGN Summit.
Additionally, students will learn about an upcoming spring workshop to enhance professional development to receive tips in applying for law school. We will be joined by the co-chairs of the Working Group to Support Undocumented Students (WGSUS): Drs. Al Meza and Genevieve Negron-Gonzales about the activities of this group. The event is sponsored by University Ministry, WGSUS, and CAPS.
We hope to see you there!
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| | The Jews of Iran
Sunday, March 5 | 6:30–8 p.m. | Fromm Hall, Maraschi Room
Acclaimed scholar Lior B. Sternfeld will offer an interactive presentation on the Jews of contemporary Iran, the largest population of Jews in a Muslim-majority country in the world. A professor of history and Jewish studies at Pennsylvania State University, Sternfeld is the author of Between Iran and Zion: Jewish Histories of Twentieth Century Iran (2018) and co-author of Jews of Iran: A Photographic Chronicle (2022), along with Hassan Sarbakhshian and Parvaneh Vahidmanesh.
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Monday Meditations
Mondays | 12:30–1:15 p.m. | 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!
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Sunday Night Student Liturgies
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.
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| | Breaking Bread and the Binary
Thursdays | 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. | University Ministry – Romero Room (Toler 122)
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.
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Loyola House Mission Luncheon
Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 12–1 p.m. | Loyola House Jesuit Community
Join colleagues from around the university for lunch. Our conversation, facilitated by Donal Godfrey, SJ, University Chaplain, will be based on a short article on our USF Jesuit mission. Luncheons will also be held in March and April. Space is limited. Registration is required.
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| | St. Ignatius Institute (SII)
Are you a rising sophomore looking for belonging and a deeper sense of community? Consider joining the St. Ignatius Institute (SII), the oldest living-learning community on campus! The program combines academics, service, and spiritual exploration within a small, caring and supportive community. New SII students will take 16 credits in total, including fulfilling 2-3 of the Area D Cores, in smaller, seminar-style classes. Service opportunities and spiritual programs are provided both on and off campus. SII is free to join, and the benefits include scholarships for immersion trips and four-year guaranteed campus housing on the 6th floor of Toler Hall. To apply , please complete the short application on the SII website by March 1, 2023 (for on-campus housing consideration) and by April 10, 2023 (for Fall SII class registration). Direct any questions to sii@usfca.edu or drop by the SII office in Kalmanovitz 144.
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| | #APPLYGOTEAM
GO Team Orientation leaders play an essential role in the facilitation of Orientation by providing new students and their family members with an engaging and authentic introductory experience to campus life and all its resources. Applications for GO Team will go live on Wednesday, Feb. 1, and close on Sunday, Feb. 19. Students can learn more and apply here. Nominate your peers by using the online form.
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| | Zen Mindfulness
Wednesdays | 4:45–6:15 p.m. | Pedro Arrupe Room
Ever notice how your mind can race at 1,000 m.p.h.? We are often so busy reviewing the past or rehearsing the future. Sometimes, we never seem to keep our appointment with life; here and now.
This free course will introduce you to mindfulness and its energy of awakening to life.
It’s the art of returning to the present moment, with open attention and deep concentration. The clarity of intelligent alertness, this creative awareness, is our birthright.
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.
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| | Spring Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, Feb. 18 | 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Golden Gate Park
Join students from USF, SFSU, and City College for a photo scavenger hunt. Take photos at various locations around Golden Gate Park (bonus points for silliness) and rack up enough points to win! Prizes will be awarded at our City-Wide InterVarsity Worship event on March 1st.
Lunch is provided. Please meet at the cafeteria at 10:40 a.m. to walk over together.
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| | Community Group Bible Discussions
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 the questions of the group. It's open-ended and all faith backgrounds are welcome!
These groups meet every week at 3 different times:
- Mondays from 7–8:30 p.m. in KA 165
- Tuesdays from 7–8:30 p.m. in UC 415
- Thursdays from 11:40 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in UC 415
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| | Karaoke Night
Friday, Feb. 24 | 7–9 p.m. | KA 167
Join us for an informal karaoke night, complete with pizza! Whether you are new or a regular, come unwind from your week.
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