Xavier University Campus Ministry Newsletter for First‐Year Students ‐ Fall 2008
As soon as you get your flyer for Get-Away, be sure to sign up for this amazing retreat! It will give you an opportunity to build friendships with other first-year students as you reflect on the new experiences that you have faced since coming to Xavier.
Kyle Isaack
Class of 2010 Communications Major
Campus Ministry impacted my life the first day I stepped foot on Xavier’s campus. Since that time, it has allowed me to be myself and not put up masks to protect me from others. It is a very welcoming place where everyone can be involved. It has become my second home here at Xavier and a safe place when I need to talk to someone outside my friends and family.
First-Year Leadership Team (FYLTers) Have you led retreats or other ministry programs in high school or your church? If so, be sure to apply to become part of our Campus Ministry First Year Leadership Team (FYLTers) as soon as you arrive on campus! You will meet with other freshmen leaders throughout the year for leadership training, community building and faith formation. The teams work together to plan and lead Outreach events, the Journey Retreat and Urban Plunge Retreat. Koinonia Faith Sharing Groups Want to reflect on your faith with others? Join one of our small faithsharing groups that are led by students weekly to share life stories, questions, insights and prayer. Individual groups welcome people of all faith traditions who are willing to grow as individuals and community.
On the First Day of Class - August 26 Join us for Popsicles on the Porch! from 11 am - 1 pm!
Stephanie Ibemere
Class of 2010 Natural Sciences/Pre-Med and Spanish Major
As a non-Catholic I was not sure if I would fit in at Xavier. However, when I heard about the retreats that Campus Ministry offered, I knew these retreats would be a chance for me to get involved and learn more about other’s faith while sharing my own experiences. Xavier prides itself on its diversity and our Campus Ministry is no different. After a few retreats I have learned things about myself and my friends as well that I did not know or realize before. Retreats have been eye opening for me and have allowed me to foster a deeper connection with my spirit and the spirit of others. I am now much more comfortable here and I am glad that I decided to take the chance and get involved in Campus Ministry!!!
Pastoral Counseling Campus ministers are available to provide support, encouragement, and to discuss issues relating to your faith experiences in an open, honest and confidential manner. In addition to providing daily Catholic Mass on campus, Campus Ministry provides information about Protestant, Muslim, Jewish and other local faith communities. Be sure to join us for Spiritual Direction It is a rich tradition to have a companion on one’s spiritual journey. Campus ministers can help you discern God’s presence in your lives, or connect you with a spiritual director. Residence Hall Ministry In cooperation with the Xavier office of residence life, campus ministry is committed to serving you living in residence halls. Those staff members who live in University housing will offer a special presence by providing support and encouragement to on-campus students throughout the year. Fr. Al Bischoff, S.J. Chaplain-in-Residence in Husman Hall where you can meet pastors from local houses of worship. Thursday, August 28, 2008 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Gallagher Student Center! Stop by Campus Ministry for more details! Fr. Kent Beausoleil, S.J. Chaplain-in-Residence in Brockman Hall Fr. John LaRocca, S.J. Chaplain-in-Residence in Kuhlman Hall Fr. Joe Wagner, S.J. Chaplain-in-Residence in Buenger Hall
Retreat Opportunities
events allowed me to not only be active in Xavier’s community, but made me feel more comfortable about coming into Xavier. I was really unsure about how I would fit in and where I would start getting to know other people. Campus ministry showed me that friendships are right around the corner and are always welcoming to new students. I believe that campus ministry is a great start to a happy future! GO X!
Will Washington Class of 2011 Pre-Dentistry Major I came from a Jesuit high school that was very similar to Xavier University. Working and being involved in Campus Ministry
Get-Away Get-Away is an overnight retreat designed to give you an opportunity to build friendships and reflect on the new experiences you have faced since coming to Xavier. Offered a month after school begins. Journey Journey invites you to explore your understanding of God and of prayer, while continuing to build friendships and community. Offered Spring semester. Urban Plunge Take the plunge! Urban Plunge takes place in Over-the-Rhine in downtown Cincinnati. It invites you to connect your faith with action for peace and justice. Offered Fall semester. Approach Approach will challenge you to approach life with an enhanced commitment to love, integrity and faith. Offered both semesters. Encounter Encounter invites you to better integrate your faith with your daily living as you become more aware of your everyday encounters with God. Offered both semesters.
Threshold Threshold will challenge you to see where faith and justice connect in their lives. Through an understanding of Ignatian spirituality and Catholic social teaching, you will become inspired to take action toward building a more peaceful world. Offered in the Fall semester. Silent Retreat This retreat provides a quiet, unique weekend for personal prayer and reflection. Personal direction is offered throughout the weekend to help you grow in faith and deepen your relationship with God. Offered Spring semester. Busy Day, Busy Person This is a “stay-at-home” retreat which will help you be intentional about taking time out of your regularly hectic week for purposeful prayer and reflection with the guidance of an individual director. Offered Spring semester. Senior Retreat This retreat gives seniors 24 hours away to relax, reminisce and celebrate as they prepare to leave Xavier. Offered at the end of the school year.
Molly Rehak
Class of 2010 Social Work Major
Campus Ministry at Xavier to me is the definition of the word community. As a peer minister for the First-Year Leadership Team, I have been blessed to find a group of deeply passionate people with whom I have learned, lived, laughed and grown in ways beyond any possible expectations. It has been and also I am sure will continue to be, one of the most powerful, spiritual and essential parts of my life's journey.
Sunday Student Masses 4:00 and 10:00 p.m. Weekday Mass 8:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 5:00 p.m. “Life After Sunday” student club co-sponsors the following times of prayer: Rosary: Monday - Thursday 9:00 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation: Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. Adoration: Thursdays from 12:30-5:00 p.m.
Get Involved at Mass! More than 200 students serve as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, music ministers, bread bakers, greeters, and ushers at our two Sunday Student Masses! 10 p.m. Liturgy Committee provides students with a foundational experience in liturgy planning. Students from the 10 p.m. community meet weekly to plan and evaluate the Liturgy. 10:00 p.m. Mass Choir provides music and support for congregational singing at the Sunday 10:00 p.m. Mass. Singers come from a broad range of backgrounds, and all levels of experience are welcome. Rehearsals are held on Sunday evenings. Schola Cantorum is an eight-voice vocal ensemble that provides music for various events on campus. Each of the singers holds a position of leadership in the 10:00 p.m. choir. The Schola’s ecletic repertoire ranges from early music to the late 20th century. Auditions are held each Fall.
OUR STAFF Director Joe Shadle Associate Director Deanna Martin Campus Ministers Kelly Albainy‐Jenei Fr. Kent Beausoleil, S.J. Fr. Al Bischoff, S.J. Tim Dunn Mary Ellen Mitchell Liturgical Music Coordinator Scot Buzza Graduate Assistant Ed Sloan Student Workers Kyle Isaack Molly Rehak Maggie Schweer Will Washington Secretary Katie Minning
For more information, call our office at: (513) 745‐3567 or visit us on the web at: http://www.xavier.edu//campus_ministry