Faith Development
University Ministry provides opportunities for people
to pursue faith development, as well as both individual and communal
prayer.
RETREATS:
Fall Retreat – Currently a three-year
tradition, this retreat has been hosted at the beautiful Lake Geneva,
WI, home of a SSOM student and alum. This lovely setting and season
enhance the theme and activities of the retreat, which invite students
to further explore their faith, their relationships, and their place
in the world. Lasting a little over 24 hours, this retreat offers
quality time for peace, quiet, reflection, fun and community.
Busy Student Retreat – Offered
during the Christian seasons of Advent and Lent, this retreat takes
place on campus and happens during the daily lives of its participants.
Basic requirements of the retreat include a time commitment of 20-30
minutes of personal prayer each day and 30 minutes of conversation
with a companion periodically during the retreat. Retreat materials
focused around the themes of the season are provided. Staff from
Ministry and Pastoral Care serve a companions.
Winter Retreat – This annual tradition
takes place the last weekend of January, giving students a much
needed break from studying and from the winter blues. Taking place
at a lovely and cozy retreat log cabin in Plano, IL, this two-night
retreat features a theme related to medicine and spirituality that
gets developed by a retreat director through a series of talks,
activities, and games. Special highlights of the retreat include
an hour of silence, fun ice breakers and games, a lifestyles panel
discussion of physicians, free time to explore the beautiful grounds,
journal, sleep, etc., and delicious home-cooked meals. This retreat
is one you will not want to miss.
LITURGIES:
Sunday 5 p.m. Mass – This weekly
Mass for SSOM students has taken place in the Galvin Memorial Chapel
of the hospital as well as in the faculty/alumni lounge of SSOM
in room 196. Students and Ministry staff help coordinate the ministries
for the Mass, including helping plan and play music, serving as
Eucharistic ministers and lectors, and providing hospitality before
and after Mass.
Mass of the Holy Spirit – This
over one hundred year-old tradition at Jesuit universities begins
the academic year acknowledging the need for the guidance and direction
of the Holy Spirit who connects all peoples of all faiths. Students’
class schedules are adjusted to allow members of the Stritch community
to attend and to participate as musicians, singers, hospitality
ministers, lectors, gift bearers, and Eucharistic ministers.
St. Luke’s Day Mass – This
annual tradition takes place in October on the feast of St. Luke,
the patron of healthcare professionals. Bringing together all the
communities of Loyola Healthcare System, this special Mass begins
the festivities of St. Luke’s Day by honoring the men and
women who as students, teachers, physicians, staff and patients
embody and promote the healing mission of St. Luke and Loyola to
“also treat the human spirit.”
Baccalaureate Mass – Celebrating
the completion of medical school for fourth-year students, this
Mass on the eve of graduation honors and celebrates the unique gifts
of the outgoing class, who actively takes a role in planning and
participating in the Mass.
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES & SPIRITUAL SUPPORT:
Morning Prayer – This weekly meeting
at 8 a.m. on Thursdays gives students a chance to gather together
with Ministry staff to take time for prayer, reflection, and silence.
Participants are invited to plan a simple prayer, usually centering
around a theme and involving a simple reading on which to reflect.
Ministry provides a light breakfast afterwards.
Spiritual Conversations – Ministry
staff are available by appointment or drop-in to offer guidance
in exploring your relationship with God as well as the realities
of your medical school experience.
ECUMENICAL OUTREACH:
Interfaith Service of Light – In
early December, students, faculty and staff of various religious
and cultural traditions celebrate the holidays of the season. Representatives
of the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist traditions
light candles, share about their religion and the particular holiday
being observed at this time of year and end by offering a blessing
to those present. A reception featuring food from the various ethnic
and cultural traditions follows the service.
For more information on services held in the Galvin Chapel, contact
Pastoral Care at 708-216-9056.
For more information on services held in the Faculty Lounge at
Stritch School of Medicine, contact the Ministry Staff at 708-216-3245.
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