The upcoming Jewish High Holidays and the Hindu Diwali festival in October prompt our reminder about the different resources available on campus to support students, faculty, and staff of all religious and spiritual backgrounds.
Jewish High Holidays and Jewish Life at DePaul
DePaul is happy to welcome its Jewish Life Chaplain, Kayla Schneider-Smith, who began her ministry at DePaul only a few weeks ago in August. She brings a strong pastoral presence to DePaul and is here to serve DePaul’s Jewish students, faculty, and staff, extending a warm invitation to DePaul’s High Holidays celebrations.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mark the premier holidays within the Jewish community. Please note, that Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on October 2 and extends through sundown on October 4. Yom Kippur begins at sundown on October 11 and extends through sundown on October 12. Observant community members celebrate on both days of Rosh Hashanah (October 3-4) and Yom Kippur (October 12).
Members of the DePaul community, as well as family and friends, are invited to join DePaul’s Jewish community in celebrating these special Jewish holidays. As is the custom, services are provided free of charge to DePaul students, faculty and staff. For others, donations are accepted at the events.
- Rosh Hashanah will be celebrated at DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus on October 3, 10:00 am, in a worship celebration co-sponsored by DePaul’s Jewish Life Center and Hillel Metro Chicago. DePaul’s Jewish Chaplain Schneider-Smith will join Hillel Rabbi Nicole Berne and students in leading this interactive service in DePaul Lincoln Park Student Center 120 AB.
- For Yom Kippur, the DePaul Jewish community is encouraged to attend services on October 11-12 with Lincoln Park Chabad, nearby DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus. For details on the services, see website or contact Rabbi Mendy.
For more information on High Holidays, or for general questions regarding Jewish Life and the Jewish community at DePaul, please contact Chaplain Kayla. Information on DePaul’s Jewish faculty and staff affinity group, Jewish Faculty Staff Alliance, can be found here.
Hindu Diwali
One of the most celebrated annual Hindu festivals is Diwali. This year Diwali or the Festival of Lights begins on October 31. This five-day festival is celebrated differently by members of the Hindu community depending on the regions and traditions of homeland communities. Students, faculty, and staff who celebrate Diwali and other Hindu festivals throughout the year are encouraged to work closely with professors and managers early in each quarter so that appropriate accommodations can be offered for those practicing their particular Hindu traditions.
Muslim Celebrations and Muslim Life at DePaul
The major holiday on the Muslim calendar, Eid ul Adha, was celebrated in June of this year and will be celebrated again in June 2025. Eid ul Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) commemorates the sacrifices made by the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) for the sake of God. It comes at the end of the Hajj season, when millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca for the pilgrimage journey of their lifetimes. Ashura, which is especially important for Shi’a Muslims, for whom it represents the eternal importance of standing up and sacrificing for justice in the face of oppression, was observed in July and will be again in 2025. As Muslim holidays are determined by an unadjusted lunar calendar, they occur on different dates on the solar calendar each year.
DePaul Muslim Life looks forward to a full slate of educational, spiritual and social programming in collaboration with our Muslim student organization, United Muslims Moving Ahead (UMMA). These include weekly Friday Jumu’ah prayer services on the Lincoln Park campus at 1:00 pm in the Muslim Life Center, Room 329 in the Lincoln Park Student Center. We look forward to our social dinner in November, DePaul’s annual Fast-a-thon, Ramadan, and Eid ul Fitr celebrations in March and April. Additionally, Muslim Faculty and Staff at DePaul are invited to join the newly launched Muslim Faculty and Staff Affinity Group (MFSAG).
Please contact Imam Abdul-Malik Ryan, the Assistant Director of Religious Diversity and Pastoral Care, who also serves as Chaplain for Muslim Life with regard to questions regarding religious accommodations, information about prayer spaces on campus and weekly programs, classes and activities available for Muslim students or others interested in Islam or Muslims at DePaul.
Catholic Campus Ministry
Religious and spiritual support and ministry programs for DePaul’s Catholic community is offered through Mission and Ministry’s Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) office, located in the Lincoln Park Student Center, Suite 104, across from the St. Louise de Marillac Chapel. Students are invited and encouraged to participate in the CCM community in a number of ways. You can participate in Sunday Night Mass, sign up for weekend retreats, join peer-led small groups, enjoy free food and discussion at the weekly Wednesday community nights from 5-6 pm or Cafecito con Tepeyac, a gathering focused on the needs of the Latinx community. You can also attend weekday noon masses for all members of the DePaul community or stop in for a quiet moment in the chapels at both Lincoln Park or Loop campuses. Catholic Campus Ministry is also proud to collaborate with DePaul’s Catholic Studies department in supporting the Catholic Learning Community, as well as other lectures, programs and events throughout the year.
Protestant and Orthodox Christian Ministries
The Division of Mission and Ministry has two Christian chaplains, Rev. Dr. Diane Dardon and Minister Jene Ashley Colvin, who serve DePaul students, faculty, and staff. These chaplains provide leadership formation and spiritual care to students and focus on pastoral support and care for faculty and staff. In addition, the chaplains work with student groups and student religious organizations to provide ecumenical and interfaith programs that encourage dialogue, community building, and worship, prayer, and ritual.