Hello! I'm the Campus Minister for Retreats. I return to the team this year with lots of enthusiasm and gratitude for the chance to be part of the Santa Clara community.
I grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the small town of D'Iberville. My parents (Bob & Sarah), sister (Lucy), and dog (Bijou), as well as the rest of my friends and family on the Gulf Coast have a special place in my heart from here on the West Coast.
I've always loved being involved in ministry, so I studied Theology at Spring Hill College, a Jesuit school in Mobile, Alabama. (Go Badgers!) After college, I worked for a year as an Americorps intern in Cincinnati, OH, facilitating retreats for teenagers at the Milford Spiritual Center. Most recently, I was in school working on my Master of Divinity at JSTB -- the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley.
I have been called a "retreat junkie" before, but I take that as a compliment. Usually. I first made a Search retreat in the diocese of Biloxi as a high school student, and loved leading retreats on my high school campus ministry team. At Spring Hill, the Awakening retreat ("SHAPe") became my passion, though I've had the chance to experience Busy Person's retreat and Ignatian silent and directed retreats as well. I enjoy developing the retreat offerings for the Santa Clara community so that whether you're looking for an interactive experience, or a reflective, personal one -- or something totally different -- you can find what you seek here.
Besides retreats, two experiences stick out as having profoundly shaped me as a human and as a minister: prison ministry in Dublin, CA, and teaching English for a summer in Vietnam.
I am excited about exploring the religious and spiritual diversity at Santa Clara and making sure that people pursuing all spiritual paths find voice and support. Feel free to stop by my office to chat about what's on your mind. Or you can find me hanging out in Dunne Hall, as I am one of the Resident Ministers for Modern Perspectives RLC.
Our spirituality series continues with Senior Tessa Brown who will share about the martyrs of El Salvador and their example of holiness.
Restorative Justice Chat
Sunday, October 26, 7:30 p.m.
Campus Ministry large conference room
Fr. Mike Kennedy, former pastor of Dolores Mission and current director of the CaliforniaProvince of the Jesuits' commission on restorative justice, will speak about restorative justice and Prop 6. All are welcome!
Fall Search Retreat
November 7-9, 2008
Redwood Glen, Santa Cruz
Applications due Wednesday, October 22!
Search is a peer-led retreat for undergraduate students. Join us for a weekend of spiritual growth, community and individual reflection. Turn in your application and $50 payment in Campus Ministry.
Come See The World With New Eyes
Puebla, Mexico, Immersion Trip
December 13-22, 2008
Deadline extended! Applications are due Friday, October 24th at noon.
Spend 10 of the most amazing days of your life living with and learning from the people of Puebla. Applications are now available on-line at: http://www.scu.edu/ignatiancenter/ students/immersions/locations/index.cfm
For more information, contact Richie Lumley rlumley@scu.edu 408-554-2747
Ignatian 5-day Retreat
December 14-19, 2008
Jesuit Retreat House, Los Altos
Applications due November 7.
Join us for a retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Experience silence, confidential meetings with a retreat director, presentations by retreat directors,
Love Your Enemies: =Transforming Us vs Them Thinking Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM
Tuesday, October 14, 7:30 p.m.
California Mission Room A co-founder of Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, Fr. Louie Vitale is currently the organization’s Nonviolent Action Advocate. A Franciscan priest, Fr. Vitale has devoted his life to peace, working tirelessly for the dignity and well-being of people everywhere. He is the co-founder of the Nevada Desert Experience and has participated in its enduring movement to end nuclear testing. He recently completed twelve years as the pastor of St. Boniface Catholic Church in a low-income neighborhood in San Francisco, California.
The Challenge
Wednesdays, 9:00 p.m.
St. Francis Chapel
Looking for something to deepen your faith? If yes, then take "The Challenge!" The theme for the fall is the "Communion of Saints" and this week's presenter is Campus Minister Fr. Chris Cartwright, SJ, who will share some reflections on St. Christopher. For more information, contact Michael Garcia (mgarcia1@scu.edu) or check out the website http://www.scu.edu/cm/programs/The-Challenge.cfm
Fall Immersions to Puebla, Mexico and New Orleans
Applications are due October 15th.
Immersions take place after finals fall quarter. Applications are available in Campus Ministry, Benson information desk, and in the Kolvenbach office in Sobrato #105.
Fall Search Retreat
November 7-9, 2008
Redwood Glen, Santa Cruz
Applications due October 22.
Search is a peer-led retreat for undergraduate students. Join us for a weekend of spiritual growth, community and individual reflection. Turn in your application and $50 payment in Campus Ministry.
Ignatian 5-day Retreat
December 14-19, 2008
Jesuit Retreat House, Los Altos
Applications due November 7.
Join us for a retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Experience silence, confidential meetings with a retreat director, presentations by retreat directors,
"Design Your Own Direction" Tuesday Oct. 7, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Benson Parlors
Thinking about what to do after college? Interested in volunteering a year of your life? Come to a panel discussion of SCU alums and staff members who will share their experiences of Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Peace Corps and other agencies.
For more information, contact Fr. Jack Treacy at x4372.
The Challenge Wednesdays, 9:00 p.m. St. Francis Chapel
Looking for something to deepen your faith? If yes, then take "The Challenge!" The theme for the fall is the "Communion of Saints" and this week's presenter is Erik Hesla, Sacramental Formation Intern, who will share some reflections on St. Peter. For more information, contact Michael Garcia or check out the website.
Catholic Inquiry
Do you have questions about the Catholic Church? Are you wondering what it would mean to become Catholic? Contact Erik Hesla or Lulu Santana to discuss your questions and possible interest in joining the Catholic Church.
Love Your Enemies: Transforming Us vs. Them Thinking Tuesday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. California Mission Room
Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM will speak to us about the power of nonviolence and how we can use it to transform the way we approach others. Fr. Louie has a long history of nonviolent civic engagement in which he has continuously challenged a culture of violence.
Fall Immersions to Puebla, Mexicoand New Orleans Applications are due October 15th.
Immersions take place after finals fall quarter. Applications are available in Campus Ministry, Benson information desk, and in the Kolvenbach office in Sobrato #105.
Fall Search Retreat November 7-9, 2008 Redwood Glen, Santa Cruz Applications due October 22.
Search is a peer-led retreat for undergraduate students. Join us for a weekend of spiritual growth, community and individual reflection. Turn in your application and $50 payment in Campus Ministry.
Ignatian 5-day Retreat December 14-19, 2008 Jesuit Retreat House, Los Altos Applications dueNovember 7.
Join us for a retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Experience silence, confidential meetings with a retreat director, presentations by retreat directors,daily liturgies, and group prayer. $150/students; $200/staff, faculty
