Mass of the Holy Spirit

When I attended the Mass of the Holy Spirit, I went in not knowing much about church sermons and the Catholic Church in general, so the entire experience was enlightening. There was a real sense of welcoming as you entered. I expected to feel out of place, but instead felt the warmth within the Abbey Church. The monks sang in an enchanting way that made me feel the connection the monks possess with the Lord. In spite of always seeing shows where people fall asleep in church, the Mass of the Holy Spirit was captivating. Even though I was not familiar with the hymns that were sung and the prayers said, I still understood the profound meaning they posed. The event really showed me the spirit in which Saint Martin's University represents itself on.

Fredrick Schouviller
Undecided
Class of 2014

Koinonia (January 28-30)

Koinonia means “intimate community”, which is what we became by the end of our journey. The retreat was only three days, but it felt like we had known each other much for longer. Being new to Saint Martin’s University, I felt that I knew very few people. But after the Koinonia retreat, I was part of a wonderful family. Everyone was so open and not afraid to cry in front of each other, as someone said, “You would think I would have been afraid to cry like this in front of people I met only yesterday.” We have become so close in such a short amount of time that nothing could stay kept in.

Loading the vans in the Parsons’ (Residence Hall on campus) parking lot, I had not known what I had gotten myself in for, but I never once regretted it. As a student and an athlete, I don’t have much time to just relax and take a step back from life. This retreat gave me that opportunity. When we first arrived at the camp, which was about a mile away from school, I felt uncomfortable since I did not know anyone. By the last day, however, I knew who everyone truly was.

All the retreatants were assigned to a small group. Mine was the Dove/ Peace group. Each small group had a student and an adult leader, who then shared with the whole group a life lesson they had learned. Every story had a different impact me; from the life graph we made to hearing how God is the tuba. The leaders would then ask us some questions that made us look into ourselves. While answering these questions, I truly found out a lot about myself I didn’t know. I was able to renew my relationship with God and learn how to be truly open with friends. The small groups gave us the opportunity to be open to each other on a more personal level, always willing to listen to one another.

The highlight of the weekend, for me, was our mass on Saturday. Father Killian (a member of the monastic community at Saint Martin’s) joined us and said mass for us that was just absolutely wonderful. The fifteen retreatants all brought pillows to sit on and sat around a table in the living room area of the place we were at. During the “Our Father”, everyone joined in one big huddle to say the prayer together. I have never enjoyed mass so much and felt so much like a community. Where I’m from in California, I attended the largest church in Orange County and had never felt this close to anyone before. A mass where everyone will give each other hugs during the Sign of Peace is extremely joyful and the signs of community.

Now knowing the true meaning of what a community is, I have new friends to give hugs to in the halls at school and who can put a smile on my face by just saying hi. The best part of the weekend was definitely a surprise I hope future retreatants will enjoy as much as me. You should sign up for the next retreat. Every day was an adventure, every day was a new experience, and every day of Koinonia was the best day ever for me.

Becky Gorlin
Business
Class of 2012

(For more Koinonia pictures, check out the Saint Martin's University Campus Ministry Facebook page!)

Starting New Traditions

Traditions are a transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation. Here at Saint Martin's University, we study and live in the Benedictine tradition of hospitality and community.

Our campus is very diverse with students and faculty from many different cultural backgrounds and hold events to carry out traditions from their cultures such as the Hawaiian Luau which was on April 9 and the celebration of the Chinese New Year back in February of this year. These traditions have been around for decades and will hopefully continue for decades to come. But the world is changing which is why it is important to hold onto these traditions but we also must embrace change.

With our ever changing world, new traditions are sure to form. Just because they are very young compared to Benedictine hospitality doesn't mean it isn't as important as the others. It is okay to start new traditions.

This year, a new tradition was started here at Saint Martin's University Campus Ministry called Koinonia. This new retreat is aimed for lower classmen. For its first year, Koinonia was open for students from every grade level. This new retreat is a great opportunity to embrace the idea of community, something that most incoming students should embrace because it is a core value here on campus.

Montserrat Walker
Business
Class of 2014

Laurella White
Business
Class of 2012

Community Service with Campus Ministry - Habitat for Humanity

I had the chance to sit down and talk with freshman Patrick McShane (Biology Major) about his experiences with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is volunteer labor and donations of money and materials to help build and rehabilitate houses. Habitat is a nonprofit nondenominational Christian housing ministry. This is only one of many service opportunities available through campus ministry for all the students in our community. All freshmen seminar classes require that each student does at least 10 hours of community service. Habitat was Patrick’s way of getting these required hours. His first experience was so enjoyable and fulfilling that he gave up another two Saturdays to go with other SMU students to help out in our community. One project he took part in included scaffolding on buildings as high as three stories. It was a dangerous job, but fun, as Patrick put it.

However, freshmen seminar was not Patrick’s motivation to take part in community service.  Before coming to Saint Martin’s University, Patrick was very involved in community service at his high school in Yuma, AZ, where he went on many trips across the border, into Mexico, and helped out at orphanages and food banks.  Helping others is a big part of Patrick’s life. He told me that he can’t live life without helping. It is important to give back when you have so much and others have hardly anything. Helping others is very fulfilling and rewarding to Patrick.

I asked him what his thoughts were on why students don’t volunteer with Campus Ministry community service opportunities offered unless it is required. He told me how many people stay away from Campus Ministry because they feel as if they cannot go there unless they are Catholic. I commented on how this isn’t true and asked what he would say to these individuals to not be so intimidated by Campus Ministry. Patrick’s response was "ministry is doing, not preaching". It is a service to the students and community where faith is worked in through actions and not words. Giving service to others is showing God’s love without having to tell them that it is God’s love. That is what Campus Ministry is here to do, among many other things.

Laurella White

Class of 2012

Business