October 21 - 28, 2023

On Mission - In Solidarity

The mission of Santa Clara University encompasses all the many ways we express our Jesuit values, our grounding in the Catholic tradition, and our commitment to building a more just, humane, and sustainable world. We treasure our Jesuit heritage and tradition, which gives expression to our Jesuit educational mission and Catholic identity while also welcoming and respecting other religious and philosophical traditions, promoting the dialogue between faith and culture, and valuing opportunities to deepen religious beliefs. Above all else, a Jesuit education is an invitation to fully develop every dimension of your humanity.

Mission Week is a celebration of the mission of Santa Clara University. It is about a purpose - our purpose, as a Jesuit, Catholic university.
It is why we tackle issues of justice looking back on our past. It is why we consider new perspectives on leadership as we look to the future. It is why we always prioritize care for our common home. It is through our Jesuit values that we find meaning and purpose.

Join us the week of October 21 - 28 for this annual tradition as we embrace our values and celebrate our collective mission-driven work.

Saturday | October 21 & Sunday | October 22

Zen Ignatian Retreat stacked rocks and water pouring

Saturday | 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Multifaith Sanctuary, St. Joseph’s Hall

Dr. Sarita Tamayo-Moraga, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies, and Tony Cortese, Director of the Ignatian Center's Ignatian Spirituality, will lead a one-day retreat for faculty and staff who are interested in the benefits of Zen and Ignatian spiritual practices. The retreat is meant to serve as a “well” to which participants can go to fill up their own spiritual “buckets.”
Hosted by the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education

Sunday | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tenderloin, San Francisco

An Urban Plunge is a one-day immersion where participants have the unique opportunity to engage with a community that is different from their own. Building on a long-standing partnership with Faithful Fools, participants are able to spend a day learning about houselessness, community, and accompaniment, and reflect on what keeps us separated and what still connects us.
Hosted by the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education

Monday | October 23

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Lucas Hall, Forbes Family Conference Room,126

Are there Jesuit ways of teaching? There are, indeed, and they're relevant across all disciplines, including yours. Ignatian teaching practices engage students as whole persons and prepare them for leadership with a keen focus on fostering justice, liberation, and flourishing. Whether Ignatian pedagogical practices are quite familiar or brand new to you, join us for this interactive session about Jesuit ways of teaching, and learn more about what our colleagues are doing in their classrooms (and why).
Hosted by the Faculty Collaborative for Teaching Innovation

5:00 PM
Nobili Dining Room

Alison Benders, Vice President for Mission and Ministry, and Shá Duncan Smith, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, will share reflections on their time at SCU as they begin their third year, converse on the exciting points of intersection of their work, and talk about their visions for the future of SCU more fully living into its mission as an inclusive community.
Watch the LIVESTREAM
Hosted by the Divisions of Mission & Ministry and Inclusive Excellence

Tuesday | October 24

5:00 - 8:00 PM
Locatelli Center

This event engages the newest members of SCU’s staff and faculty in community and SCU’s Jesuit, Catholic mission. We do so by celebrating their presence, breaking bread, and engaging in conversation. By invitation only.
Hosted by the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education

ELSJ and Indigenous Connections Mural under a bridge downtown san jose

12:00 Noon - 1:30 PM
Williman Room, Benson

Join us in a discussion about ways that we can further deepen our engagement and collaboration with Indigenous efforts from ELSJ to Immersion to other opportunities. A light lunch will be provided.
Hosted by Lauren Baines, Lee Panich, and Ray Plaza

6:30 - 8:30 PM
Mission Church

How far are you willing to go to develop your leadership skills? Join Sister Nancy Schreck, D.Min. to explore the challenge of making a difference in our neighborhood, church, civic community, and the world in a time unlike any other!
Hosted by the Markey Center

Pancakes with a Purpose Image of pancakes

8:30 AM
Jesuit School of Theology

Join our JST Community for a delicious breakfast as we will engage in an informal discussion about how we are continuing to respond to and live into our own unfolding theology, asking, “How are our academic pursuits guiding us and challenging us?”
Hosted by the Jesuit School of Theology

Wednesday | October 25

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
California Mission Room - Benson

Join us for our annual Global Opportunities Expo - an enriching event designed exclusively for undergraduate students seeking to discover the world of international study, internships, and life-changing experiences through Santa Clara University!
Hosted by the Office of Global Engagement

Search for What Matters Person with binoculars and stacks of books

12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM
Nobili Dining Room

This quarterly luncheon speaker series provides a space on campus for the discussion of core values and experiences. One faculty member, one staff member, and one Jesuit faculty/staff member are invited each year to respond to the single question: "What matters to me and why?"
Hosted by the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education

1:00 - 3:00 PM
de Saisset Museum

Drop in to the de Saisset Museum to learn more about the new commemorative kiosk developed with Ohlone and Muwekma Ohlone consultants. This new installation joins the museum’s ongoing exhibition California Stories from Thámien to Santa Clara as an interactive interpretive station.
Hosted by the de Saisset Museum

Arts and Humanities Event colorful heads of the statue of david

3:00 - 5:00 PM
St. Clare Room, Learning Commons

Join us as we celebrate and recognize the centrality of the arts and humanities to SCU's Jesuit mission. Featuring a keynote address by Prof. Wendy Roberts of the University of Albany.
In partnership with the Center for Arts and Humanities

Ciocca Center Open for Business Event - open for business sign

5:00 PM
Lucas Hall

Join the Ciocca Center for their annual Open for Business! event for incoming Business School students! Enjoy some pizza, learn about the different interdisciplinary programs offered by our university, and meet with other students, staff, and faculty.
Hosted by the Ciocca Center

Thursday | October 26

Mission with Ohlone people in foreground

12:15 - 1:30 PM
Meet at the fountain near Vari Hall and Admissions

Dr. Lee Panich, Professor of Anthropology, will lead a walking tour focused on the Indigenous history of the Santa Clara University campus. The tour will consider the pre-contact landscape and Native people’s experiences at Mission Santa Clara, as revealed by archaeological research, historical documentation, oral histories, and Ohlone community knowledge.

Bannan Memorial Lecture Banner - Pope Francis

4:00 - 5:15 PM
Nobili Dining Room

Join the Ignatian Center’s Bannan Forum for the 2023 Bannan Memorial Lecture, featuring Fr. Allan Deck, S.J. He will unpack the main features of this unique Pope’s vision for an extroverted, synodal church on the move, engaging and accompanying the world.
Watch the LIVESTREAM
Hosted by the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education

4:00 - 6:00 PM
The Forge Garden

All are welcome to join us at the Forge Garden for pumpkin carving, photo booth, letterpress, clothing swap, tabling, and more! This event will earn you enthusiasm points for the Energy Challenge!

Hosted by the Ignatian Center for the Center for Sustainability and the Forge Garden

Friday | October 27

12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM
Mission Church

This Friday's noon mass will have a special liturgy in honor of Mission Week.
Hosted by Campus Ministry

1:00 - 4:00 PM
Ignatian Center, Nobili Hall

To culminate the 2023 Mission Week, the Ignatian Center welcomes all SCU faculty, staff, and students into our new home in Nobili Hall! Come by to see our space, meet with the team, and take some steps towards justice!
Hosted by the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education

1:00 - 4:00 PM
Ignatian Center, Nobili Hall

Stop by the Ignatian Center's Open House, enjoy a Rocko's Taco and take a few minutes to help encourage folks across the country to let their voice be heard to elect leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion.
Hosted by the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education

Weeklong Events

An SCU program for students who are experiencing food insecurity.

Items Needed:
Rice, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, canned vegetables, microwavable meals (vegetarian friendly), granola bars, dishwashing sponges and dish soap, paper towels, and toilet paper. We cannot accept homemade items but financial support is greatly appreciated. Donation bins will be located in Campus Ministry and in the Ignatian Center offices.
Donate to Bronco Pantry

Hosted by the Divisions of Mission & Ministry

A non-profit organization providing meals for individuals in need in the downtown San Jose area.

Items Needed:
Large tarps, new socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, masks, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, new or gently used warm clothing (especially larger men's sizes), deodorant, menstrual hygiene products, hats, and scarves. Financial support is also greatly appreciated. Donation bins will be located in Campus Ministry and in the Ignatian Center offices.
Donate to Feed the Block

Hosted by the Divisions of Mission & Ministry

Special Exhibit & Archives image of old books

Learning Commons & Library (3rd Floor)

This display of rare books from Archives & Special Collections features works acquired by Fr. Nobili and other Jesuits to support the curriculum, which entailed rigorous study of both the humanities and the natural sciences, tempered by ethics and morality found in the theological works of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Hosted by the Office of Archives & Special Collections