Happy Laetare Sunday, Hounds!
This past week we had the opportunity to welcome students back to campus with several social events—our Cookie Social Hour on Tuesdays, a reception after the 10am Sunday Mass, and First Thursday Bagels—all staples of Campus Ministry.
Assumptionist Connections:
Our Fireside Chat event on Vocation Stories with the Assumptionists made it to the Augustinians of the Assumptionist newsletter. Check it out here (Spanish version is here).
Sr. Nuala Cotter, R.A. also offered a beautiful presentation on Thursday, March 12, titled Encounter and Friendship with Jesus that is available here on YouTube. Her previous presentation is available to view here.
Gratitude:
A special thank you to all those who donated to our Easter Flower Fund. There is still time to make a contribution in memory of a loved one who has died or to honor someone special. In order for the names of your loved ones to be included in the Easter program, please return your contribution by March 20.
Please connect with Sandy Bousquet or with me directly for more information. Thank you for your continued generosity and support!
In today’s Gospel, we hear about how Jesus healed a man who was blind. In what ways are we blind to Christ in our everyday lives? How might we open our hearts to Christ this coming week, as we prepare for Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection in a few weeks?
Consider joining the Campus Ministry team and members of our groups in the Chapel for tomorrow’s prayer service (March 16th from 4-4:30pm) This will be a time of prayer and witness to the many crosses our human family bears as they strive to live whole and dignified lives. We hope to see you there!
Raising of Lazarus, Donald Jackson,
© 2002 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Prayer Service for Human Dignity and Life
In line with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops pastoral message on immigration and attentive to ongoing national events, Campus Ministry will be offering a Prayer Service for Human Dignity and Life on Monday, March 16 in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at 4pm.
We will be praying and holding space for all who are being dehumanized and experiencing violence–especially our migrant brothers and sisters. We will hear from members of the Assumption community as we lean into the Lenten season, attentive to the call for conversion.
We are looking for members of the AU community to read and participate. Reach out to Luis Melgar if you are interested.
This Week in Campus Ministry
Greener Lent
“It is only by returning to the heart that a true ecological conversion can take place” – Pope Leo XIV.
While we are not offering daily Lenten reflections, we are sharing reflections from partner organizations to center your prayer life.
Each Sunday of Lent, enter a Gospel-based reflection designed to deepen prayer and awaken discernment inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical on the Sacred Heart.
Receive reflections from the Laudato Si’ Movement that invite us to move from contemplation of the Sacred Heart toward concrete acts of love and care for our Common Home and all who inhabit it.
Join Catholics across the country in a campaign to better hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Greener Lent offers a way to combine fasting, prayer and almsgiving by changing your menu! Pick an option that works best for you: less meat, no meat, no cheese. Sign up anytime through Lent.
Write in “Assumption University, Chapel of the Holy Spirit” when it prompts you for ‘parish.’
Register for the El Paso SEND Trip
Looking to grow in service and immerse yourself in a community outside of Assumption? SEND trips are opportunities to visit new locations and learn first-hand about the lived reality of communities on the margins. Through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, we explore the intersection of faith and justice.
Our May trip to El Paso Texas and Chaparral New Mexico will provide an opportunity to learn more about the history of the Mexican/US border and Immigration and the role of the Assumption Charism in this region.
Consider applying for the SEND trip to El Paso, TX and Chaparral, NM that is happening from May 18th – May 24th (after graduation).
For more information, contact Una Murphy (uo.murphy@assumption.edu)
1904 Days of Service
Almsgiving is a common practice during the season of Lent. This Lenten season give back to Assumption and the local Worcester community by participating in the “1904 Day of Service” initiative.
Click on the link below to view all of the upcoming service trips happening both on campus and off-campus.
Join the campus ministry team and members of the Assumption Community as we serve the Worcester area!
If you have any questions or need help signing up, please contact Una Murphy (uo.murphy@assumption.edu).
Upcoming 1904 Day of Service Opportunities:
- Thursday March 19th from 1-3pm: outdoor cleanup at The Assumption Center.
- Friday March 20th from 10am-1pm: Outdoor cleanup at Girls Inc. Camp Kinneywood.
Wednesday March 25th from 10am-1pm: General farm work at Mesa Farm.
Mustard Seed Catholic Worker
Another great way to get involved is through the Mustard Seed, a local volunteer community that provides dinner to individuals in Worcester each weekday. If you’re interested in volunteering with them, you can visit their website.
St. John’s Food for the Poor
The St. John’s Food for the Poor program on Temple St. Is always looking for helping hands! To contact the Danielle, the program director, to see how you can help, click below.
Liturgical Ministry Support
Interested in using your vocal talents at Mass? Or serving as a lector, greeter, communion minister, or altar server?
This is an invitation for our faithful-our students, faculty and staff to consider ministry in the Church; by being a Lector, Altar Server, Communion Minister, and Greeter for Sunday, Weekday Masses and Special Liturgical events on Campus.
Music Ministry
Music Ministry is a vocal ensemble that provides music for the masses on campus. Our other commitments include Lessons and Carols, Baccalaureate, and joining forces with the Chorale and Kuumba Singers for the annual, Black History month Ecumenical Service.
Rehearsals are every Thursday evening from 7pm-8:30pm in the Lauring Community Room in the Tinsley Campus Ministry Center.
What else is happening in Campus Ministry?
Assumption Presence at Migration Conference
Campus ministers Luis Melgar and Una Murphy, Deacon Paul Covino and Assumption faculty member Lea Cristo participated in a conference on “Law, Conscience and Migration” at Boston College February 19-20.
Beginning with a keynote address by El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz, a leading voice among U.S. Catholic bishops for immigration reform, the conference explored the current national debate on migration through various lenses including local efforts at multicultural belonging in the city of Boston, law, scripture, Catholic teaching, art and peaceful protest. A predominant theme of the conference was hope born of Christian faith amidst political polarization and current enforcement practices that often do not respect the human dignity of migrants that is a cornerstone of Catholic teaching. During the conference, Bishop Seitz previewed recommended reforms to the immigration detention system that he and 17 other bishops published four days later.
