DePaul Interfaith Programs

Kalachakra and the Interfaith Movement

bcicirel Community, DePaul Interfaith Programs, Seeds of Mission, Spirituality

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This article was written by Peter Dziedzic, a junior at DePaul, who is pursuing a double major in Religious Studies and English. Peter is an Interfaith Scholar and a former co-president of DePaul Interfaith.

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Images of bowed monks, throngs of observers, and a devoutly perched Dalai Lama upon a stage filled my head as I watched a live stream of the Kalachakra from Washington, DC. These were beautiful scenes, and the words that the Dalai Lama offered resonated with deep wisdom. Watching through a computer screen, I felt a pervading distance between myself and the ceremony. And yet, woven through these diverse images, there was a thread of unity and sincerity, as if I was absorbed into the scene, the ceremony, the ritual.

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Rekindling the Embers

bcicirel Community, DePaul Interfaith Programs, Seeds of Mission, Spirituality

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This article was written by Peter Dziedzic, a junior at DePaul, who is pursuing a double major in Religious Studies and English. Peter is an Interfaith Scholar and a former co-president of DePaul Interfaith.

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I had grown disillusioned. All past achievements seemed but a confused flurry. I had barely stepped off the plane in Chicago, returning from three weeks in Israel and Palestine, when I headed to a week-long training with the Interfaith Youth Core. After spending nearly a month in a region of the world marked by years of deep conflict and stark trauma, I had embraced the call of many skeptics. While interfaith cooperation is great, it does not mend the deep fissures in our world. The burning passion I once had for interfaith work was slowly dying.

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Interfaith and Higher Education (Part 5): Quality Vs. Quantity of Interfaith Programs

bcicirel Baha'i, DePaul Interfaith Programs, DePaul University

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This is the fifth article in a several part series throughout this quarter, written by Nic Cable, focusing on the complexities of interfaith work in higher education. These articles are in conjunction with an academic independent study project on the same themes.

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Upon reflection of this weekend’s interfaith events, I noticed a rising concern in my heart after one event was cancelled and the other totaled three attendees: where is the equilibrium between quality and quantity of interfaith programs so as to maintain a successful interfaith movement at a higher educational institution? For example, this year at DePaul University, we have seen a rapid increase of interfaith programs, which have yielded many new opportunities for individuals to become involved in the movement. However, at the same time, this has produced smaller turnouts to events because some individuals are unable to fit so many interfaith events into their already busy schedules. The reflection thus resides around how interfaith leaders (mainly those in college) can work to enhance both quality of programs while maintaining a good level of attendance. Continue reading →

Interfaith and Higher Education (Part 4): The Better Together Movement

bcicirel DePaul Interfaith Programs, DePaul University, Dialogue, Global Interfaith Movement, Peace, Prayer/Reflection/Meditation, Seeds of Mission, Service, Social Justice, United States

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This is the fourth article in a several part series throughout this quarter, written by Nic Cable, focusing on the complexities of interfaith work in higher education. These articles are in conjunction with an academic independent study project on the same themes.

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The Better Together Campaign is not about feeding or clothing homeless people; it’s not about raising money to help Haiti or other developing countries; it is and always will be a method of igniting the spirit of humanity, awakening our minds to the deep and limitless potential we share, if and when we choose to recognize it, come together, and work to spread justice and peace throughout the world. Continue reading →

Food, Faith and Friendship

bcicirel Catholicism, DePaul Interfaith Programs, DePaul University

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This is the first article posted by Caelin Niehoff, a freshman at DePaul University and an active member of DePaul Interfaith. This article comes as a reflection on the themes of an Interfaith Cafe two weeks ago.

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Food, Faith and Friendship: unique topics that provoke both insightful discussions and lively atmospheres (needless to say the workings of a superb Interfaith Café!).  Within my interfaith experiences, food has always been an essential component. What better way to establish an inviting environment for conversation than with hummus and pita chips? The Interfaith organizers certainly know how to win over my heart (and my stomach). Continue reading →

Interfaith Cafe: Wandering vs. Lost

bcicirel DePaul Interfaith Programs

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Today’s post is by Nic Cable, a senior at Depaul, who is pursuing a double major in Religious Studies and Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies. He is serving his second year as an Interfaith Scholar at DePaul University and is the Director of the Better Together Campaign at this institution.

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Last night, students gathered to discuss a very important topic in the lives of all people, but especially young adults: “The Journey.” We talked about the ideas of wandering and the differences between that and being lost. We also shared stories from our lives when we experienced these types of moments along our individual journeys. The conversation transitioned into an even more interesting question regarding the “end” to which we may or may not be travelling towards. Is there even an end? The dialogue was rich and the connections multiple. I have attached two responses from the cafe that I hope give you a glimpse into the lively discussion from last night: Continue reading →

Interfaith Cafe: Death

bcicirel DePaul Interfaith Programs

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Today’s post is by Nic Cable, a senior at Depaul, who is pursuing a double major in Religious Studies and Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies. He is serving his second year as an Interfaith Scholar at DePaul University and is the Director of the Better Together Campaign at this institution.

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On Wednesday, students gathered in the SAC Pit to have a discussion with friends at the weekly Interfaith Cafe. The discussion this week was on death. The idea of death has existed throughout time and place, and it stands as one of the most definitive points of reliability to humans. Religious traditions and people from the beginning of recorded history have understood death in different ways. This cafe attempted to have students share from their own understandings and feelings about death with other students, as well as learn from what others thought on the matter. Below are two students who shared their thoughts of the discussion after the cafe ended: Continue reading →

Interfaith Pumpkin Carving

bcicirel DePaul Interfaith Programs, Engaging Nature in Spirituality
Emma Cushman Wood

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Today’s post is by Nic Cable, a senior at Depaul, who is pursuing a double major in Religious Studies and Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies. He is serving his second year as an Interfaith Scholar at DePaul University and is the Director of the Better Together Campaign at this institution.

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On Sunday, several students gathered in the quad to carve pumpkins and celebrate the fall. They discussed the idea of fall and the symbolism of Halloween from their different perspectives. Bridget Liddell, the Interfaith Scholar shared these thoughts after reflecting on the experience:

Bridget Liddell

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Interfaith Cafe: Social Media

bcicirel DePaul Interfaith Programs

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Today’s post is by Nic Cable, a senior at Depaul, who is pursuing a double major in Religious Studies and Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies. He is serving his second year as an Interfaith Scholar at DePaul University and is the Director of the Better Together Campaign at this institution.

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As midterms week overcame DePaul University this week, more than a dozen students took an hour or so aside from their hectic lives in order to attend this weeks Interfaith Cafe. The topic this week was on social media and how it influences our spiritualities and understandings of the world. It was a wonderful night of discussion and community building as students shared stories about how the media affects them in their lives. I have attached two reflections from students who participated in the cafe who were willing to share their thoughts about it with all of you. Continue reading →

Interfaith Cafe: Silence

bcicirel DePaul Interfaith Programs

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Today’s post is by Nic Cable, a senior at Depaul, pursuing a double major in Religious Studies and Peac, Justice, and Conflict Studies. He is serving his second year as an Interfaith Scholar at DePaul University and is the Director of the Better Together Campaign at this institution.

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Last night a group of 22 people gathered from diverse religious, spiritual, and ethical backgrounds. We discussed ideas of silence, about both times we have remained silent and wish we hadn’t, as well as times we spoke up and acted out regarding things we cared for. The responses were rich and varied from person to person. Below, are two student reflections about the experience of this cafe.

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