Mission Week
Live the Mission | February 18th - 26th
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Live The Mission
Mission Week is a great opportunity for us to come together as a community, to hold up our hopes and ideals for all to see and to champion this vision that we have created together. During this week a wide range of activities and discussions to fuel our exploration of our mission will take place. In the schedule for the week, you will find engaging conversation, community-building activities, and opportunities for service and giving back to the community.
Explore Mission Week
Facilitator's Guide
Facilitator's Guide
This brief facilitator’s guide offers a variety of readings, videos, and podcasts that you can use as a catalyst for reflection and conversation in your department, classroom, or group.
Reflections
Reflections
Mission Week activities have a profound effect on our community, both on and off campus. Read student and faculty reflections about what makes these acts of service so meaningful and watch videos from past Mission Week events.
Other Programs
Other Programs
Looking for more opportunities to serve your community? See our list of other mission programs and service events.
Professional Success
As Philadelphia's Jesuit Catholic University, we strive to prepare students for personal excellence, professional success, and engaged citizenship. During Mission Week, we have several exciting events to help us engage with this part of our mission, including:
- Ignatian Student Leadership Conference
- Career Fair
- PCP Founders' Day
- Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor's Society Inductions
Find God in all Things
At SJU, we are called to find God in all things. Ignatian spirituality invites us to find God in every circumstance of life, not just in explicitly religious situations. During this week, we encourage you to find God in all things with the help of the following events:
- 40-day Lenten Reflection Newsletter
- Examen
- Senior Retreat
- First-year Student Retreat (Ignite)
- Silent Retreat
Cura Personalis
Cura personalis comes from Latin meaning "Care for the [individual] person." This Jesuit tradition calls for us to care for each other while keeping in mind everyone's unique gifts, challenges, needs and ,possibilities. As Hawks, we strive to be an inclusive and diverse community that educates and cares for the whole person while encouraging lifelong commitment to making ethical decisions and pursing justice. Consider the following events to help engage with this aspect of our mission:
- Employee Morning of Service
- Mission Week Book Discussion
- Donation Drives
- Wolfington Friday
- Hot Dogs for Haiti
- PB&J making event for
Schedule
We have events running every day of Mission Week. You can find out the events for each day by clicking the links below.
New events are still being added! Click the button below to receive a printable PDF of the week's events once it becomes available!
Week-long Activities
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300,000 kids in the Philadelphia Area live in poverty. Simple things like socks and underwear could make a world of difference. SJU has teamed up with "Cradles to Crayons" to help provide children with basic clothing essential.
Offices/ departments at SJU are welcome to organize a drive. If you wish to host a collection drive in your area please contact Eric Thompson (ethompso@sju.edu) for flyers and item pick-up information.
Throughout Mission Week, you can also drop off items at the following drop boxes:
- 1st floor Wolfington Center (Campus Ministry - building next to the Chapel)
We will be collecting the following items:
- New socks and underwear
- New arts, crafts, and school supplies
- New hygiene items
- Unopened diapers, pull-ups and diaper wipes.
- New or gently used clothing and coats (infant to youth sizes 18/20 and adult sizes small & medium)
- New or gently used pajamas
- New or gently used shoes, boots and sneakers (infant/child size 4-13 and adult sizes 1-10)
- New or gently used books (for ages 0-12)
Location: TBA
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Grab some fresh air and reflect on the parts of your day. During Mission Week, signs will be placed throughout our campus with reflection questions to consider as you go about your day. These questions are adapted by the Examen, a form of prayer by St. Ignatius of Loyal where particpants review the events of their day and identify God's presense.
Location: TBA
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For over 50 years, members of the SJU community of many different faith traditions and those who have no particular tradition at all have participated in doing a version of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola, a 500-year-old process of reflection on daily life and considering the movement of God’s spirit.
The Spiritual Exercises are a method of speaking to and listening to God daily; an honest self-evaluation weekly with a person experienced in leading persons through meditation and contemplation. There are a few versions:
- 24 weeks - This is called the 19th Annotated Exercise
- 5 weeks
- Ignatian Exercises - The use of scripture for contemplation and the practice of the daily “examen” for greater integration of prayer and work. This is also called the 18th Annotated Exercises.
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact the Office of Mission (officeofmission@sju.edu) or fill out this form and a member of the office will be in touch.
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Calling all faculty and staff! Help determine which Jesuit institution is the most active by participating in the eleventh annual Go Move Challenge. Record your minutes of intentional physical activity that gets the heart pumping. Bragging rights go to the university which tracks the most minutes, the university which averages the highest number of minutes per participant, and the university with the highest average number of minutes per region.
You can learn more about the Go Move Challenge here video.
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What does it mean to be an engaged citizen? what does it mean to care for the whole person? How can we "find God in all things"?
Thoughout Mission Week, we encouage discusions like this - in the classroom, in the office or at lunch! Please view the faciliators guide below for more resources on encouraging questions suroudning our mission.
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Join SJU's Center for Inclusion & Diversity in making cards that will be included with the Jewish Relief Agency's food donation boxes. These cards are a great way to send a little bit of sunshine into the homes of the individuals who the Jewish Relief Agency serves - many of who are struggling with isolation.
Stop by CID's Suite (Campion 210 on Hawk Hill and TBA on University City) between Feb 20th - Feb 24th to grab supplies and start making cards!
Hosted by: Center for Inclusion & Diversity
Location: Campion 210 on Hawk Hill and TBA on University City -
What is your Mission? Share it with us and read about the mission of other members on our campus.
Location: TBA
Saturday, Feb 18th
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Calling all Seniors! Join Campus Ministry, in a chance to reflect upon your years at SJU with those who have shared in your story. This will be an overnight retreat at the St. Raphaela Center in Haverford.
Registration will open on January 17 (cost: $30) and space is limited. Contact Alexis Larios (mlarios@sju.edu) for information about financial assistance or with any questions.
Location: Saint Raphaela Retreat House
Time: Feb 17-18th -
Rising student leaders are invited to attend this special conference! During the morning, veteran student leaders will be offering specialized workshops that share best practices and new insights into leadership skills and how to engage students at SJU.
Lunch is included. The first 50 people to arrive receive a special Jesuitical gift. Registration Required - Spaces are limited.
If you have any questions, please contact Eric Thompson (ethompso@sju.edu)
Sunday, Feb 19th
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Over 100 students and members of our campus community will be inducted into the only international honor society that bears the name "Jesuit". These inductees will be recognized at our 11:00 am community mass with a ceremony to follow.
Location: Chapel of Saint Joseph
Time: Sunday 2/19, 11:00 am -
Join us as we kick off Mission Week. Presider and Homilist will be Fr, George Bur S.J.
Location: Chapel of Saint Joseph
Time: Sunday 2/19, 7 pm and 9 pm masses
Monday, Feb 20th
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Win cash prizes! Finalist will compete at the SJU Mens Basketball game on 2/21.
More information coming soon!
Location: TBA
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More information coming soon!
Location: TBA
Tuesday, Feb 21st
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Eat for a cause! Proceeds from Hot Dogs for Haiti will benefit Foi et Joie Haiti school communities which offer quality transformational education in underserved communities. Order online by 2/20 for delivery or stop by The Perch on Tuesday 2/21 from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm.
$5 for students
$10 for everyone elseLocation: You can order online by 2/20 for delivery or stop by The Perch on Tuesday 2/21.
Time: Tuesday 2/21, 11:30 am - 1:30pm -
Talk with Michael Rizzi. More information coming soon!
Location: TBA
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More information coming soon!
Location: TBA
Wednesday, Feb 22nd
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Join us for our Ash Wednesday services being held on both Hawk Hill and University City campuses. Check back soon for the service times.
Hawk Hill Campus (Chapel of St Joseph)
11:15 am - Prayer service with distribution of ashes
12:20 pm - Mass with distribution of ashes
1:50 pm - Prayer service with distribution of ashes
3:20 pm - Prayer service with distribution of ashes
5:00 pm - Mass with distribution of ashes
8:00 pm - Prayer service with distribution of ashes
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered all day in the Chapel of Saint Joseph from 11 am - 10 pm except during Mass times.
University City Campus (Location TBA)
12:20 pm - Prayer service with distribution of ashes
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered 11:20-12:20 and 1:00 - 2:00 pm
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More information coming soon!
Location: TBA
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More information coming soon!
Location: TBA
Thursday, Feb 23rd
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The Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is a prayer method created by St. Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits. We encourage you to pray the Examen with us - whether this is your first time, or you pray it daily.
Alumni, students and staff/faculty are all welcome to join us live, as Fr. Joyce S.J. leads us in a prayer of the Examen at 12 pm on zoom. Students are also welcome to pray the Examen in person at 9:15 pm on the first floor of Wolfington Hall (building next to the chapel).
The Examen can also be prayed anytime you would like using this video guide by Sr. Margaret Scott ACJ . The link is: sju.edu/examen
12:00 pm - Zoom Exmen
9:15 pm - In person Examen in the first floor of Wolfington Hall (building next to the Chapel)
Anytime - Using the video version found at sju.edu/Examen
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The Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is a prayer method created by St. Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits. We encourage you to pray the Examen with us - whether this is your first time, or you pray it daily.
Alumni, students and staff/faculty are all welcome to join us live, as Fr. Joyce S.J. leads us in a prayer of the Examen at 12 pm on zoom. Students are also welcome to pray the Examen in person at 9:15 pm on the first floor of Wolfington Hall (building next to the chapel).
The Examen can also be prayed anytime you would like using this video guide by Sr. Margaret Scott ACJ . The link is: sju.edu/examen
12:00 pm - Zoom Exmen
9:15 pm - In person Examen in the first floor of Wolfington Hall (building next to the Chapel)
Anytime - Using the video version found at sju.edu/Examen
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More information coming soon!
Location: TBA
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More information coming soon!
Location: TBA
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The Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is a prayer method created by St. Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits. We encourage you to pray the Examen with us - whether this is your first time, or you pray it daily.
Alumni, students and staff/faculty are all welcome to join us live, as Fr. Joyce S.J. leads us in a prayer of the Examen at 12 pm on zoom. Students are also welcome to pray the Examen in person at 9:15 pm on the first floor of Wolfington Hall (building next to the chapel).
The Examen can also be prayed anytime you would like using this video guide by Sr. Margaret Scott ACJ . The link is: sju.edu/examen
12:00 pm - Zoom Exmen
9:15 pm - In person Examen in the first floor of Wolfington Hall (building next to the Chapel)
Anytime - Using the video version found at sju.edu/Examen
Friday, Feb 24th
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More information coming soon!
Location: Zoom
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More information coming soon!
Location: Cradles 2 Crayons
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More information coming soon!
Location: DEI Center (Hawk Hill - Campion)
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More information coming soon!
Location: Wolfington Center (Hawk Hill)
Saturday, Feb 24th
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Have you taken time to reflect on your spiritual journey and life at SJU so far? Do you hope to build stronger friendships and get to know your fellow Hawks better? Do you take enough time out of your busy schedule to relax and be present? You can do ALL these things and MORE on the IGNITE RETREAT!
Location: Saint Raphaela Retreat House
Time: Feb 17-18th -
More information coming soon!
Location: TBA
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More information coming soon!
Location: TBA
Saint Joseph's University Mission Statement
As Philadelphia’s Jesuit Catholic University, Saint Joseph’s provides a rigorous, student-centered education rooted in the liberal arts. We prepare students for personal excellence, professional success and engaged citizenship. Striving to be an inclusive and diverse community that educates and cares for the whole person, we encourage and model lifelong commitment to thinking critically, making ethical decisions, pursuing social justice and finding God in all things.
As Hawks, we live the mission every day in our classrooms, in our offices, in the community, on the fields, and in the residence halls.
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