reflection

Watch Your Bacc!

bcicirel Seeds of Mission, Spirituality , ,

Capture

Need a little more pomp and circumstance in your life? Want a chance to march around campus in your cap and gown taking all the family photos you want without worrying about dire post-commencement rental-return warnings?

Join us at Baccalaureate Mass!

I’m writing to let you know that ALL graduating students regardless of religious affiliation are invited – welcomed, encouraged, urged – to participate in DePaul’s Baccalaureate Mass!

Don’t be afraid – I’ll walk you through it now and hope to see you this Friday afternoon, June 13th, as DePaul’s Baccalaureate is held at St. Vincent de Paul Church the Friday of Commencement Weekend.

First of all, “Baccalaureate:” Five syllables. Sounds like some sort of award, or a card game played in a Monte Carlo casino. One meaning, derived from Latin is “undergraduate degree.” Another definition is “a religious service held at an educational institution before commencement.” Bingo. As a faith-based institution DePaul wants to celebrate and pray with/for graduating students.

Secondly, Baccalaureate Mass is indeed a mass, but not an ordinary Sunday one. It begins with an academic procession led by the DePaul banner and banners representing each of the colleges that make up the university. Faculty and students in their academic regalia file into St. Vincent’s as guests of honor (your parents will love it). Following this academic procession is the liturgical procession – there’s incense, cross, candles, and those assisting in celebrating the Mass all process to celebratory music led by a 22-member orchestra and 24-voice choir.

If you’ve never been to a Catholic mass and are graduating from “The largest Catholic university in North America,” it’s a good time to check one out before you depart. If you are a regular Sunday attendee you’ll find a lot to like. Fr. Holtschneider, our president, will be the presider. Muslim, Jewish, and Protestant staff of University Ministry will be up front as well, along with Vincentian priests in addition to Fr. Holtschneider.

Thirdly, all graduates are encouraged to wear your cap and gown (and any other academic regalia you have been given or awarded). Somehow people often fail to get this message – so feel free to share it. Students line up in the Student Center Atrium between 3:00 and 3:30pm for the academic procession to the church at 3:45pm. Families and guests are encouraged to arrive at St. Vincent’s as early as 3:00pm, as seating is limited.

You can give me a shout to answer any questions you may have about the Baccalaureate Mass. Hope to see you there!

Matt Merkt is Chaplain for Liturgy with DePaul’s Catholic Campus Ministry

Photo courtesy of Jeff Carrion/DePaul University

5 Spiritual Songs for Summer

bcicirel Seeds of Mission, Spirituality

SONY DSC

So – no snow accumulation this week. I am officially allowed to wear white shoes (though I rarely choose to do so). And I took my kids to the beach over the weekend and they got tan instead of chapped.  I think summer is actually coming and that makes me think of music.

Here’s my play list for spiritual summer songs.  Let me know what some of your recs are.

1) “Saturday In The Park” by Chicago (Chicago V) – A cheesy song, but I LOVE the city of Chicago’s parks and street fairs.  Spirits can shine during a Chicago summer, especially when it has seemed so far out of reach. “I’ve been waiting such a long time…”

2) “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson (Curious George Soundtrack) – Curious George’s joy of exploring everything. Johsons’s beachy-surfy-sitting-round-a-campfire-with-friends mellow vibe. Simple joy. “Who’s to say what’s impossible….I’ll share this love I find with everyone.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqUdI4AIDF0&w=420&h=315]

 

3) “I Don’t Care” by Icona Pop (This Is… Icona Pop) – Summer just makes me want to just chuck things, and so does this song.  Pretend the dysfunctional relationship sung about is something from which you need to be spiritually liberated – could be people pleasing, a bad habit, denying yourself sleep or fun with others. You choose. (Listener discretion advised for some salty lyrics) “I got this feeling on a summer day…”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxxajLWwzqY&w=560&h=315]

 

4) “Happy” by Pharrell Williams (Despicable Me 2 Soundtrack) – OK OK. Overdone?  But PERFECT for summer and I dare you not to have your spirits lifted with this one!  Suitable for car, home, beach and dance floor. “Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM&w=560&h=315]

5) “Summer’s Evening” by Gillian Welsh (Going Driftless: An Artist’s Tribute to Greg Brown) – Midwestern songwriter Brown reminds us of life’s simple, earthy pleasures like lightning bugs, family, and the magic of a summer night when your cares drift away and anything is possible. Includes some yodelingesque stylings by Welch! “And you get the feeling things’ll be alright, on a summer evening before the dark of night.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWsh-SLfbts&w=420&h=315]

 

Katie Brick is Director of the Office of f Religious Diversity with DePaul University Ministry.  Leave your ideas for summer songs in the Reply box below.

Why I Do CrossFit More Than I Go to Church These Days

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Steve Mullen

Back when I was in college I hardly ever missed daily noon mass on campus.  I would even schedule classes around so I could attend.  There were days when I skipped class for mass because I often felt I would get more out of Fr. Pat’s homilies than my professors’ lectures.  Often I left pondering about the takeaway message.  Many times Fr. Pat’s words just made me feel hopeful and good inside.  His stories always somehow struck a chord with me as a student and regularly helped guide my decisions.

Mass to me was also about being with familiar, friendly faces for 30 minutes each day.  Rituals like voicing our needs and concerns in community, exchanging signs of peace with hugs, and breaking bread over communion brought much comfort to whatever it was I was going through during college. People stayed around after mass if they didn’t have class to chat and hang out.  People were missed if they didn’t show up for a few days.  Upon their return they would be asked “Where have you been?”  The experience of daily mass and the community around it during those years enriched my life – it was like food for my soul.

These days, what I rarely ever miss is the WOD (Workout of the Day) at my CrossFit box (gym).  Truth be told, I sometimes schedule my work hours so I can make time to go to the box.  When I’m there I look forward to developing new skills, growing stronger, putting all my energy and effort into the WOD and being around a motivating community.

Early on, there was a simple sense of accomplishment the first time I was able to do an overhead squat using the 45 lb. barbell instead of the training bar.  Often, just finishing a WOD was an accomplishment. Other skills, like the handstand push up, took me longer to be able to do consistently.  But when I got there it was very gratifying.  I’m no longer intimidated by a 135 lb. barbell that I have to clean and jerk.  I have confidence jumping on a rope and choose to challenge myself by climbing it legless. With each success the desire to get better becomes stronger because the impossible seems a lot more possible.  There’s also something to be said about mentally training myself each day to give it my all (100%) particularly when others have completed the WOD and I’m barely half way through. The habit of pushing myself to persevere through the pain and fatigue and not quitting until I finish can be applied to many aspects of my life.

The best part about CrossFit for me, however, is the community that I am a part of.  Having coaches and peers helping me out by offering advice about techniques, encouraging me to pick up the bar when they see that I have little left in the tank, challenging me to keep up with them because they know my potential and receiving congratulatory fist bumps at the end of a WOD make my CrossFit community special.  I am amazed and find inspiration when I witness others’ resilient efforts to not give up or when they achieve personal records. The energy is contagious. Daily I am reminded that through hard work and with a supportive community, I can go further.  I’m usually physically taxed at the end of the workout, but the hour I spend each day at my CrossFit box cleanses my mind and energizes my spirit.

I believe our values reflect the company we keep and that habits form character.

While I’m still active in my Catholic community, it’s been refreshing to see how exercising can nourish my spirituality.  There are actually a lot of similarities between my habit of going to mass when I was in college and my habit of doing CrossFit now.  There has always been and will always be a deep longing in me to be part of communities that inspire, support and transform.

Quang Luu is Residence Hall Chaplain with DePaul University Ministry.

Image from http://games.crossfit.com/article/south-east-regional-report-work-done-now

 

This One’s for LGBTQA Month

bcicirel Seeds of Mission, Social Justice, Spirituality ,

flagMay is LGBTQA month here at DePaul University.  It can sometimes seem that religion has little positive to say regarding LGBTQA issues, but my University Ministry colleagues and I would beg to differ. I’m going to offer a Jewish perspective and then share some resources from the Abrahamic traditions we hope will add a different perspective. Please share your own links on the topic if you feel moved to do so.

There is an old saying; “Two Jews, Three opinions”.  Just as with every topic within Judaism, different Jews have different views towards LGBTQ issues. In Judaism, we are given the law. The mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah are given to the Jewish people by G-d and are there for us to follow. There are laws regarding kashrute (kosher/food), laws relating to prayer and ritual, laws regarding how much of your income to tithe and, yes –  laws regarding male homosexuality.

However, interpretation of laws is extremely important in Judaism. There has been text after text for thousands of years, throughout the span of Jewish history, going over the commandments in the Torah.  Regulations and precepts are interpreted time and time again, helping us decipher how to live out these holy commandments in modern lives.

While there are laws regulating homosexual activity in the ancient Israelite community (most likely due to concerns for population growth), many Jews now focus on laws and concepts much more relevant to society today — such as social action, ecological concerns, interfaith relations while continually acting on time-honored Jewish values. Values like redeeming the captive, visiting the sick, honoring parents and teachers and keeping the day of rest.

Judaism is about choices. Choosing what laws and what interpretation of those laws to follow helps Jews decide how to live their lives. Judaism, while providing guidelines, gives few hard and fast rules about how to live one’s life. As Rabbi Hillel stated regarding Torah; “That which is hateful to you, do not do to any person, all the rest [of Torah] is commentary, now go and learn it”.  With that being said, here are a few articles regarding different Jewish views on LGBTQ :

Here is a link to an overview of stances of different movements within Judaism.
This article from Tikkun Magazine concerns a Chicago Congregation comprised mostly of gay, straight, and bisexual Jews.
Finally, this post is about changes toward LGBTQ issues in the Conservative Jewish movement.

And if you think it’s tough to track down thoughtful contributions from the Muslim community that would be appropriate to LGBTQ month, check out some of these pieces:

The article ” Coming Out Twice: Sexuality and Gender in Islam”  features an interview with the author of “Homosexuality in Islam” and includes how gay Muslims have to face both homophobia and Islamaphobia.
This article focuses on “Quranic Values as an Inspiration for Gay Marriage”
If you’re looking site with Muslim LGBTQ resources including several Muslim blogs, head here.

There are many resources around positive messages around  Christianity, gender and homosexuality but here are a couple to get started:
For an alternate take on the “bibical view” of homosexuality, check out “The Best Case for the Bible Not Condemning Homosexuality
And being at a Catholic school it might be useful to know that there are a variety of stances on LGBTQ issues within the Catholic church and that even when a denomination or tradition is perceived as being condemning of homosexuality, its adherents‘ views may differ greatly from the headlines.

Have a great LGBTQ month brought to you by our friends in the Office of LGBTQA Student Services.

Matthew Charnay is Coordinator of Jewish Life with DePaul University Ministry

 

 

 

Is Random really “Random”…

bcicirel Seeds of Mission, Spirituality

Leonore from trib

The older I get the more it seems I don’t believe in coincidences or “random” acts anymore.   Remember the “Random acts of kindness” movement a few years back?  I thought it was a great concept to randomly share love and kindness just because it was the good and right thing to do.  Each random act has a tumbling affect by triggering a series of events unknown to the person who initiated the first act.  Some acts lead to great change, while other acts or events can lead to bad things.  However, when you live a life of purpose perhaps there is no such thing as “random”.

I have to confess that my question of “random” acts not really being random was triggering by the recent death of a colleague.  Leonore Draper was a bright, passionate, professional person who was clearly committed to ending violence in the city she loved, Chicago.  I met her years ago while I was running a mentoring program for Black and Latino youth in Rogers Park.  She was immediately impressive to everyone because she was intelligent, organized and eager to heal violence.  Last week she was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting while getting out of her car.  She had just left an anti-violence fundraiser.

While I was still mentally processing how random her death seemed to be on the surface; I could not help but think about the role of purpose.

What is the purpose of Leonore Draper’s death?  It’s the type of question that people of faith ask themselves all the time.  We ask this question about purpose because our faith traditions often teach that “all life has purpose” or that “God has a purpose and plan for us”.   In my mind, this means that so called “random” acts aren’t so random at all.  I believe that if we allow random acts to travel to their logical conclusion, they will always lead to changes that lead to greater changes, and so on.   So can one tragic, accidental death prevent another tragic accidental death?  Can one death create safer neighborhoods or less fear?

As a Christian minister I am searching right now.  I ask myself whether it’s too extreme to compare the eventual results of Leonore Draper’s death to the results from Jesus Christ’s death on the cross.  I believe Christ’s death was far from accidental or random and that his death was the price to usher in God’s spirit – the same spirit that would make way for human unity and salvation. Christians believe Christ’s death was a tragedy, but it was also a gift.

I’ll admit: I’m biased about all this.  I am eager for the seemingly random death of Leonore Draper to not be so random, but to instead hold true purpose.  Just like with those random acts of kindness I want Leonore Draper’s death to have power, to have meaning and bring good changes.   While still difficult to accept, the day after learning about her death I began imagining other people in Chicago, people just like me suddenly… waking up.

Something clicked in me after Leonore’s death.   Someone I personally knew was “randomly” killed yet I felt motivated, inspired and creative. I suddenly had clarity of purpose, and confidence.   While still sad and a bit shocked I know Leonore’s life was not lived in vain…neither was her death.  There has been a spiritual shift.  Even if the shift is only in me, I still consider it profound.  I believe we are to all learn from the Leonore Drapers of the world.  They are the muses, inspirations and catalysts necessary for the next revolution, the next blessing and the next spiritual shift.  Leonore will be deeply missed but I am so very thankful she was never “random”.

Keith Baltimore is University Minister with the Office of Religious Diversity’s DePaul Christian Ministries. Feel free to comment on his piece at the bottom of this page.

Photo from of the family of Leonore Draper featured in the Chicago Tribune on April 26, 2014.

The Biggest Hands in the World

bcicirel Seeds of Mission, Spirituality

My father’s hands were some of the biggest hands I’ve ever seen – powerful, strong, worn, hardworking hands. My father’s hands were some of the biggest hands I’ve ever seen – giving, forgiving, caring hands that constantly reached out to others.

big hands

Last year Marcia Stout, one of DePaul’s nursing professors, invited me into her nursing class to encourage her students to think about nursing from spiritual and pastoral perspectives. From that invitation grew an opportunity to work with School of Nursing Director Dr. William Cody and other nursing faculty and staff to begin weaving a ritual of Blessing of the Hands into the fabric DePaul’s School of Nursing.

The rituals begin with nursing faculty and staff not only symbolically washing the hands of many students but also offering kind words of encouragement.  With hands and hearts prepared, the students then stand with one of DePaul’s University Ministry staff who offer a blessing while anointing their hands with precious oils.

Last year Jewish students received a blessing from DePaul’s Jewish Life Coordinator. Daughter of Charity Sr. Katie Norris blessed the hands of Catholic students. Muslims received blessings from DePaul’s Muslim Chaplain. And as DePaul’s Protestant Chaplain, I was privileged to join my colleagues in blessing many. I don’t know if the hands I held and anointed with sweet myrrh belonged to students of my faith or of any faith. I don’t know if the students I was privileged to bless were rich or poor, ready to serve as nurses or not. None of that mattered. What mattered is that I was given a moment to hold and bless hands that were even bigger than my father’s hands.

blessing of hands

To the bystander, the nursing students’ hands that were washed and blessed last year were just regular in size. But from my perspective, the hands I blessed were enormous. They were hands whose size was exaggerated by the hearts of those students whose path in life would require them to be constantly giving, forgiving and caring. The size of the hands I blessed was exaggerated by the passions of students preparing to be compassionate, patient, talented, healing nurses.

The hands of DePaul’s nursing students are enormous, not physiologically but spiritually—much will be required of them and much more will be given.

St. Vincent DePaul held the ministry of nursing in high esteem. He wrote, ”Now if there ever was a good work, it is that of nursing the sick, so much indeed that it surpasses all others in value. “

In recognition of the enormous work required of nurses and in appreciation of the great value of those called into nursing, DePaul’s School of Nursing has begun a tradition of blessing students’ hands. When DePaul’s president, Fr. Holtschneider was invited by Dr. Cody to join nursing students for the Second Annual Blessing of the Hands next week, Fr. Holtsneider responded: “This is a lovely new tradition.“

Indeed, this is a lovely tradition—a DePaul tradition—reserved for our nursing students who I believe have some of the biggest hands in the world—matched only by their large hearts! God bless all of our nursing students!

—   Rev. Diane Dardon is a Chaplain with DePaul Christian Ministries.  You can comment on her post below.

For more information on DePaul’s School of Nursing Blessing of the Hands scheduled for May 6, please contact Alexander Stachniak, ASTACHN1@depaul.edu.

Would You Want Satan as a Character Witness?

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last days of judas

Who knew Saint Monica liked to throw around the F-bomb?

Well, she does…and with relish in “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” playing now through April 27th (click here for more info) on the Fullerton Stage at DePaul’s Theatre School in Lincoln Park.

If you’re fortunate enough to take in this show (and I recommend you do) don’t let one saint’s hip hop swagger or the irreverent, edgy vibe from the cast of colorful characters distract you from grappling with the question lodged at this courtroom drama’s core: is Judas Iscariot in hell for betraying Jesus Christ?

And, while you’re at it, try not to let the dazzling performances and sneaky-smart theology side-track you from at least nibbling around the corners of the BIGGEST of all questions pulsing throughout this play:

What role does CHOICE play in our lives?

What happens to us when we die?

Where, if at all, is God?

Two-plus hours of lively theatre aside, we’ve all gotta figure these questions out for ourselves – or, in some cases, subscribe to a tradition or philosophy that provides the answers for us.  For the record – I think the wisest answers come from some combination of these two methods.   But, with a nod towards “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” here’s where I’ll leave it (at least for now!):

I think God is everywhere…loving us and always inviting us into deeper relationship.  I think we make mistakes (dare I say that’s part of the Divine plan?).  We try not to dwell on or get stuck in the mistakes but, instead, to learn and grow from them.  And, I hope…maybe I’m even convinced…that when we breathe our last we’ll go to where our heart most desires to go…to a place of life and love and joy.

…What do you think?

Tom Judge is a Chaplain at the DePaul Loop Campus.  Feel free to leave comments in response to his post at the bottom of the page.

The Hope of Spring

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Colorful_spring_garden

It’s been a long, cold, harsh Chicago winter. I am one among many who are clearly eager for the spring to arrive and to announce its presence with gusto.

Living in North America, the Christian remembrance of Easter and the Jewish celebration of Passover are accompanied by the slowly emerging warmth, the hope of spring, and glimpses of what soon will be: budding trees, chirping birds, evidence of green life breaking through the soil, and even early flowers beginning to show their colors. These hopeful signs make our religious celebrations come alive in tangible ways.

The Passover and Easter stories highlight spiritual themes deeply meaningful and relevant to our human journeys: new life emerging from death, liberation from bondage, light overcoming darkness. These stories are important reminders that no matter how dark and cold our days, and even when we forget or lose sight, there is always more than just what we see and experience in any given moment. The winter struggles are no less true – but somehow they are held and transcended by the hope of spring.

New life
shall again emerge,
breaking forth
from the cold,
hardened
soil.

Hope and possibility
will return
like good friends,
soul mates,
once lost
but found again,
and my heart
shall again
flutter and take flight
like the birds
and butterflies
of spring.

Mark Laboe is Associate Vice President, DePaul University Ministry

Pray for Peace

bcicirel Seeds of Mission, Spirituality

DePaul pray peace poster

We all have those moments when words come tumbling out of our mouths and we immediately realize that we just said the dumbest thing ever. One of those moments has haunted me for years.

I had listened to the heart-wrenching woes of a young adult. I was so shocked and astounded by what I had heard that I sat tongue tied for long, long moments. And then I said it: “I’ll pray for you. It’s the least I can do.”

Now, that actually sounds appropriate and really rather nice, doesn’t it? But in my heart I was immediately screaming to myself, “What was that – how shallow can you be?!?!”

In that instant I felt I had completely bumbled a moment to offer true comfort by saying prayer was the “least” I could offer. From my understanding as a person of faith, prayer is not the least important or helpful thing we can offer, but it is the MOST significant gift we can give another. In that moment I was reminded—this time not to be forgotten—that prayer is the MOST important and powerful gift I—we — can offer, especially when lives are torn apart and hearts are aching.

Last weekend we had hate-inspired shootings in Kansas City, 36 people shot in 36 hours in Chicago, continued violence in Syria, unrest in Ukraine. Our world is moaning under the weight of violence and millions of our sisters and brothers throughout the world are crying out in pain because they have come face to face with horrors…their lives are torn apart and their hearts are aching. We do not know them personally but we are connected to them through a great cosmic Spirit that is screaming at all of us to take notice and to offer our very best on behalf of the broken.

And so, on this day when one horror after another is spewed out over news feeds across the world, I’d like to suggest that we pause and think about the PEOPLE who are suffering because of violence…and I’d like to suggest that we offer our very best in a prayer for peace.

Let there be peace on earth—in the hearts of those suffering—and let it begin with me!

Rev. Diane Dardon is a Chaplain with DePaul Christian Ministries. Feel free to leave a comment about her post at the bottom of this page.

Ultimate Power Couple

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375px-Bert_and_Ernie

I made the mistake the other day of walking through a grocery checkout line. I’m calling it a mistake because going through the checkout line forced me to look at magazine cover with Kanye West and Kim Kardarshian. I find these people incredibly annoying and tedious, so seeing them on a magazine cover together just doubled my irritation. Separately they were tolerable, but together… “Kimye” reaches a new level of irritation.

I don’t imagine many Christians or any person of faith spending lots of time pondering the lives of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. But a glance at the amount of attention given to them may cause you to admit they are one of the new “power couples” of month…or maybe the week. On the surface “Kimye” are unconventional, non-traditional but unquestionably powerful in their ability to accumulate wealth, sell magazines and increase their popularity. Wealth, magazine sales and popularity are superficial goals by most standards, but they are goals nonetheless.

I enjoy seeing couples who aren’t like “Kimye.” For example, Barack and Michelle Obama seem cool together. The president regularly admits that he would not be the success he is today without having married Michelle. Separately they are great, but together they are awesome. This modern day “power couple” seems to emphasize that life can be better when you join forces with another powerful person.

The Christian communities I encounter appear to revel in the concept of the “power couple,” and I doubt they are unique in this. They enjoy the image of an ideal male and an ideal female representing them and their values. In fact, when vetting a new Pastor for a church, many congregations reveal an interest in the Pastor’s wife as much as the Pastor himself.

The idea of coupling or joining together for a common goal seems to make a lot of sense, but this can be complicated if you’re single and your options are few. For further insight, I suggest learning from Bert and Ernie. Bert and Ernie are a “power couple” of sorts. Their obvious friendship has a complementary affect. In those areas where one is weak, the other is stronger. Plus they seem to have a lot of fun together. Perhaps this is the true definition of “power couple” (and my reason to stop hating on “Kimye”) – people that complement and support each other and have a lot of fun.

Genesis 2:18 introduces the concept of “help meets”. The context suggest it’s gender specific or a “wife,” but later uses of the word make it clear the text simply means a powerful helper. Hmmm, I could certainly use some help from time to time! But do I have to get married to get help? Or to be a part of a “power couple?” Again Burt and Ernie lead the way and they help point me to God in two very cool ways. First, God can and will bring various people into one’s life to help increase efficiency, maximize one’s talents and skills, and walk through the tough times. You don’t have to be a “Kimye” a “Bennifer” or even a Barack and Michelle to experience that. It’s simply called friendship.

Perhaps most significant is the yearning from the divine to connect to man, and man’s desire to connect to the divine. Every time I hear of a person beating the odds, overcoming some great tragedy, accomplishing some rare goal or achieving an exceptional level of success, I think to myself … “they’ve had an encounter with the divine”. Mankind and the divine are the ultimate power couple. Like Burt and Ernie, God is seeking a “friendship” with humanity. A friendship that can joins us together as one in the same way that Kim and Kanye have smashed their names together… just a lot less annoying.

Rev. Keith Baltimore is a University Minister at DePaul University
Feel free to respond to his post in the Comments section at the bottom of this page.