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Spiritual Life at Santa Clara University

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We are a community that is well-rooted in our Catholic, Jesuit tradition.

While at SCU, students are asked to make the connection between their heads and their hearts. For students who identify as Catholic, a key place that may happen is at mass, in a small faith sharing group, or on an immersion trip. The conversation that happens in college between what you experience, what you learn, and what you believe is key. As a Catholic on campus, we're confident that you'll find many ways to explore your faith. What's here are offerings geared toward Catholics. You will find that most of our other programs are also appropriate for you.

You'll find the most up to date schedule and resources for liturgies, such as worship aids and stewardship suggestions, on the Mission Church website.

If you want to be a part of student groups devoted to Catholic life, community and culture, try SCU College Catholics, her Life, His Glory, and Broncos for Life. You can also join a Christian Life Community (CLC) specifically for Catholic students by contacting Andrew. Also, be sure to check out the Spiritual Wellness page where there are mentors beyond Campus Ministry and an Examen where you can reflect on your spiritual self-care. 

Mass Schedule
Liturgy

 

Gathering in prayer as a community is important to us. It reminds us of where we come from and who we have to support us.

Many students share that the time they spend in prayer at the Mission Church and around campus is a touchstone of their SCU experience. We hope that you'll come to find that you have an important place at the table. Find your spiritual home with us. 

While we are currently limited in celebrating the fullness of our liturgical life, we do have the following general schedule for Fall 2020:

10 AM Zoom Mass
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The Sunday morning 10:00 AM PDT Masses will continue on Zoom and YouTube. This liturgy has been a "home" for alumni and other local members of the community for decades. This fall, it will be a very simple weekly liturgy. All are welcome.

Contact Julia Claire Santos with questions.
4 PM Outdoor Mass
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Due to the departure of our students before the holidays, our Sunday evening masses have been postponed. We expect to offer this opportunity for in-person masses again in mid-January. As updated regulations are issued by the Santa Clara County Health Department, further information about our mass offerings in the Winter Quarter will be posted on the Mission Church website.

Contact Fr. Dennis Smolarski, SJ with questions.
7 PM Praise & Prayer
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Starting Sunday, September 27, we will have a Sunday evening liturgy this fall. Called "Prayer & Praise," it will be held at 7:00 PM PDT. As we continue to endure the effects of Covid-19, this liturgy aims to provide SCU students, along with their families and friends, a chance to gather online in prayer. Our hope is that this liturgy will lay the foundation for a vibrant return to on-campus worship when the university resumes regular operations. Presiders may include Campus Ministers, appropriate faculty, and members of the Jesuit Community. This liturgy is adapted from the Sunday Celebration of the Word.

 To get the Zoom link, go to the Get Connected calendar.

Contact Professor Paul J. Schutz with questions.

 

 

Intercultural Ministry

 

Campus Ministry works to promote the inclusion of the diverse cultural backgrounds of the SCU community in our campus ministry worship, retreats, and programs. From intercultural celebrations like Sunday Best for Black History Month to heritage month liturgies like the Asian/Pacific Islander Mass, from Día de los Muertos ofrendas to a bilingual Vía Crucis during the Lenten season, Campus Ministry always seeks to better reflect the many and varied ways that our SCU community prays and worships.

If you have ideas, suggestions, or would like to help, email Fr. Kyle.

 

Confession

Confession during Covid-19

While regularly scheduled confessions are suspended during Covid, appointments may be made with Jesuits for outdoor confessions on campus by emailing Fr. Kyle who can help you schedule a time. If you are not near the SCU campus and would like help finding a priest for the sacrament of reconciliation, Fr. Kyle would be happy to help you with this as well.

Open yourself to God’s mercy with this sacramental tradition. If you're interested in receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, you are welcome to speak with a campus minister about it, especially if this is your first time. If it's been a while since you've received the sacrament, don't be afraid of simply saying that to the priest. You don't need to have the right words in order to open yourself to God's mercy--it is always available to you through this special practice.

 

Faith Formation

 

Would you like to learn more about the Catholic faith and acquire the tools you need to help deepen and sustain your faith? Could you just use some alone time with Jesus? 

Join us Wednesday nights during the academic year for Formation Night/Opened House, which have moved online for Fall 2020 - email Fr. Kyle for more information.

Formation Nights cover topics including:
* Intercultural Catholic Devotions
* Ignatian Bible Study
* Prayer, Spirituality, and Discernment
* MAGIS-terium: Christus Vivit
* Living the Faith

Opened House is an hour of Praise & Worship music.

Exalt will alternate between Praise & Worship music / testimony / adoration on the odd-weeks of the quarter and evening prayer / silent adoration / confession on the even-weeks of the quarter.

 

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

 

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is an ancient tradition of the Church during which the consecrated communion host is placed in a sacred vessel called a "monstrance." This provides us with a time to sit, stand, or kneel in awe of this Great Mystery. There are no expectations about how one must pray. This is meant to be a comfortable time for you to spend time with the Lord.

Holy Hour will be held on odd weeks of the quarter on Zoom, and is a chance to spend some quiet time in prayer with Jesus.

To get the Zoom link, go to the Get Connected calendar.

Contact Fr. Kyle with questions. 

Prayer Resources

 

Visit these resources on the Mindfulness page! Be sure to also explore the Meditation Spaces page.  

Discover a variety of resources to nurture your prayer life, in both English and Spanish. Whether you follow the readings of the day, explore resources for Ignatian spirituality, or pray with Pope Francis, we hope these resources aid you in deepening your relationship with God. Explore the resources below, and pick the one that supports you the most. 

Where might God be calling you? Have you ever considered religious life or the priesthood? 

If you have suggested prayer resources you would want to share with others, let us know!

 

Sacramental Formation

 

So you're wondering if becoming Catholic might be right for you? Or you're already Catholic and would like to be received fully into the Church through confirmation?

Student being baptized mission church

In his letter announcing the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis began by saying, "Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy." This is a starting point for understanding how you are being invited to discern God's will in your life. Sacramental Formation at SCU provides you with tools to experience your Catholic identity more fully, or to establish that identity for the first time.

2020-2021 formation

Sacramental Formation classes (RCIA and Confirmation) for 2020-2021 begin on October 18, 2020.  Anyone interested may join the classes, which will meet every other week, anytime before the end of the Fall quarter.  Email Fr. Kyle for more information.

Have you not celebrated your first communion and confirmation? Well you are a candidate for "Completion of Initiation."

All of our sacramental preparation at SCU happens in close relationship with other students and ministers. Your starting point is to contact Fr. Kyle Shinseki, S.J., the director of sacramental formation in Campus Ministry. There is no set timeframe for this process.

Here are the steps you'll need to take in order to continue your formation in the Catholic faith:

  1. Bi-weekly meetings with other students who are preparing and ongoing formation classes.
  2. Sacrament of Reconciliation
  3. At the Easter Vigil:
    1. Renew Baptismal Promises
    2. Confirmation
    3. Eucharist (communion)

All of our sacramental preparation at SCU happens in close relationship with other students and ministers. Your starting point is to contact Fr. Kyle Shinseki, S.J., the director of sacramental formation in Campus Ministry. There is no set timeframe for this process.

Here are the steps you'll need to take in order to become Catholic:

  1. Bi-weekly meetings with other students who are preparing and ongoing formation classes.
  2. Rite of Reception
  3. Sacrament of Reconciliation
  4. Ongoing Discernment
  5. At a Sunday Liturgy (after prayer and discernment):
    1. Renew Baptismal Promises; Profession of Faith; Reception
    2. Confirmation
    3. Eucharist (communion)

All of our sacramental preparation at SCU happens in close relationship with other students and ministers. Your starting point is to contact Fr. Kyle Shinseki, S.J. the director of sacramental formation in Campus Ministry.

Here are the steps you'll need to take in order to be confirmed:

  1. Ongoing participation at Sunday Mass.
  2. Bi-weekly meetings with other students who are preparing and ongoing formation classes.
  3. Celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on a Sunday during the Spring Quarter.

All of our sacramental preparation at SCU happens in close relationship with other students and ministers. Your starting point is to contact Fr. Kyle Shinseki, S.J., the director of sacramental formation in Campus Ministry. There is no set timeframe for this process.

Here are the steps you'll need to take in order to become Catholic:

  1. Bi-weekly meetings with other students who are preparing and ongoing formation classes.
  2. Participation and immersion in activities on and off campus surrounding prayer, service, community building and learning.
  3. Rite of Election (typically around the first Sunday of Lent)
  4. Three scrutinies
  5. At the Easter Vigil:
    1. Baptism
    2. Confirmation
    3. First Eucharist (communion)

All marriages involving at least one baptized catholic are obligated to have a catholic marriage ceremony.  Marriage is a sacrament in the Catholic Church, and a good deal of preparation is required before the wedding.

Part of this process requires that the couple participate in a Marriage Preparation Workshop, available on campus, or from your local parish. Also required is your attendance of a Natural Family Planning presentation.

All marriage documentation must be completed in consultation with your priest. Wedding Information.

Here are the steps you'll need to take in order to be married:

  1. First Meeting with Priest or Deacon
  2. FOCCUS Inventory with Priest or Deacon
  3. One of the following paths
    1. Engaged Encounter Weekend -OR-
    2. Marriage Preparation weekend workshop
  4. Assessment and decision by Priest or Deacon
  5. Instructional sessions with Priest or Deacon
  6. Liturgy planning with staff at church at which you will be married
  7. Rehearsal and Wedding Liturgy

Enjoy your engagement and remember: A wedding is a day. A marriage is a lifetime.

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Can't find what you're looking for? Please reach out! Email us at campusministry@scu.edu.