First Year Students
ENGAGE!
Engage is an opportunity for first year students to build a community that explores and grows in faith through Ignatian Spirituality. All are welcome to come as they are, discover a deeper sense of purpose, and find God's presence in everyday life. Create authentic friendships through intentional community time in large and small groups.
Join us Tuesdays at 8:30 pm or Wednesdays at 7:00 pm beginning on October 3 Community Room, Wolfington Hall.
For more information, contact Tinamarie Stolz at tstolz@sju.edu.
Retreats
Spark
Spark is an overnight retreat in the early fall which is designed to help First Year Hawks. This retreat is exclusively for first year students.
Ignite
Take a moment to reflect on your new life at Saint Joseph's University at our Ignite retreat. This event is also exclusively for first year Saint Joseph's students.
First Year Leadership Team
First Year Leadership Team is an opportunity for first-year students to:
- Develop leadership skills for ministry and service
- Take a more active role in Campus Ministry in your first year
- Build friendships and community in a context of faith
- Complete your required THE 154 course together in the Spring, taught by a campus minister
Applications for the class of 2027 First Year Leadership Team Cohort will open in September of 2023!
Contact Tom Sheibley at tsheible@sju.edu with any questions.
Ignatian Spirituality Communities
Ignatian Spirituality Communities (ISCs) are groups of students that do life together! Groups meet weekly to build community and explore faith and Ignatian Spirituality. This sacred space provides students with a home on campus to help them through the highs and lows of college life. Don’t do life alone, journey with an ISC. There are 3 ways to get involved:
1. Engage is an opportunity for first year students to build a community that explores and grows in faith through Ignatian Spirituality. All are welcome to come as they are, discover a deeper sense of purpose, and find God's presence in everyday life. Create authentic friendships through intentional community time in large and small groups.
2. Affinity Ignatian Spiritual Communities navigate faith and spirituality at specific intersections of identity. Rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, groups meet weekly for conversation, reflection and prayer, taking pause together in sacred space.
- Coming Out Spirituality ISC (Gender & Faith/Ignatian Spirituality)
- St. Joe Bakhita ISC (Race & Faith/Ignatian Spirituality)
- Men’s ISC (Manhood & Faith/Ignatian Spirituality)
- Women’s ISC (Womanhood & Faith/Ignatian Spirituality)
- Bible Study ISC (Scripture & Faith/Ignatian Spirituality)
3. Christian Life Communities (CLCs) are intentional faith-sharing communities rooted in Ignatian Spirituality and built on the pillars of faith, community and mission. Participants desire to deepen their awareness of self, others and God. Groups meet weekly for conversation, reflection and prayer, taking pause together in sacred space.
Program questions can be directed to Tinamarie Stolz at tstolz@sju.edu.
Meeting Format
Weekly meetings are one hour on weekday afternoons and evenings. Meetings follow this structure:
- Opening Prayer
- Check-In
- Focus Experience
- Community Announcements
- Closing Prayer
Participants
Regardless of where you are on your faith journey, you are encouraged to join CLC. All participants have a unique spirituality. Students of all faiths traditions and backgrounds are welcome.
Foundation
CLC is rooted in the Christian faith, with a rich tradition of Ignatian spirituality. Living gospel values through friendship is at the heart of the program.
Registration
Groups form at the start of each semester, and bond quickly. During the semester, you can join the program at any time by emailing Tinamarie Stolz to explore options for groups accepting new members.
Information
Contact Tinamarie Stolz at tstolz@sju.edu with any questions, ideas, concerns or desires.
Weekly Service
Serve once a week with one community partner organization in our local Philadelphia or Camden communities. Register by 9/13.