2014 uministry booklet

I serve to better

the community.I serve others because I want to give people

hope and help those in need.

I help others to

show appreciation.

Catholic Faith. Welcoming Spirit.

Being Benedictine is about faith, service and living in community. Benedictine University is a Roman Catholic university founded in the Benedictine tradition. Being Catholic and being Benedictine is the identity from which we draw strength and are encouraged to share our community with Christians and people of other religions. We share in our common life serving God together.

Community service is integral to the mission of University Ministry. Whether it is reaching out to the poor and elderly of a small rural community, encouraging students to participate in Service Immersion Experience trips to some of the most destitute regions of the world or feeding the hungry next door, University Ministry seeks to develop a concern for the well-being of each person.

University Ministry is a welcoming place. We open our arms to students of all religious traditions such as Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, Hindu, Sikh, Christian – while at the same time encouraging our Catholic students to deepen their Catholic identity and become active participants in their faith. We provide opportunities for spiritual self-discovery and knowing God’s blessings that we might share those with others.

By embracing our Catholic faith and living the Benedictine tradition, University Ministry serves the spiritual, emotional and corporal needs of students, faculty and staff. University Ministry extends God’s love to others no matter who they are or where they find themselves in their faith journey.


University Ministry 1 2014-2015

Our faith guides us. Service to God and others drives us.

Living in community binds us.



St. Benedict of Nursia (circa 480-547)St. Benedict was born in Nursia, Italy, a village high in the mountains northeast of Rome. His parents sent him to Rome for classical studies, but he found the life of the eternal city too worldly for his tastes. Consequently, he fled to Subiaco, southeast of Rome, where he lived as a hermit for three years.

While in Subiano, St. Benedict was discovered by a group of undisciplined monks who prevailed upon him to become their spiritual leader. They soon grew weary of his rule and plotted to poison him. When St. Benedict blessed the pitcher of poisoned wine, it broke into many pieces. He soon parted ways with these monks.

By the time he turned 50, St. Benedict had established 12 monasteries with 12 monks each in an area south of Rome. In approximately 529, he moved to Monte Cassino, about 80 miles southeast of Rome, where he established his primary monastery.

It was at Monte Cassino that he wrote what would become known as “The Rule of St. Benedict,” a practical guide to living a life in balance – a life of virtue and true happiness. Nearly 1,500 years later, his Rule continues to inspire and guide people of faith everywhere.

Benedictine University was established by the monks of St. Procopius Abbey, a group of devout and dedicated men who follow the teachings of St. Benedict.

Who is St. Benedict?


WorshipDaily Mass on Campus

Monday through Friday at 7:25 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. in the St. Benedict Chapel, located on the fourth floor of the Kindlon Hall of Learning.

Sunday Student Mass

Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the St. Benedict Chapel.

St. Procopius Abbey Church

5601 College Rd., Lisle, ILSunday Masses are at 11:00 a.m. Weekday Masses are at 4:50 p.m.

Reconciliation

Available 45 minutes prior to every Mass for 30 minutes. You may contact a priest on campus or visit St. Procopius Abbey and ask for a confessor.

Special Liturgies

All Saints, All Souls, Ash Wednesday, Sacraments of Initiation, etc.

Daily Prayers

Hindu prayer, Aarti, is held on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. in Kindlon Hall, Room 422. Muslim prayer is held on Fridays at 12:40 p.m. in the Krasa Center, Room 050.

Worship and other

Services Worship of God is the primary focus of our community. It is through

worshipping in our tradition that we are grounded in our respect for God and that we can come together in unity. Worship and prayer is how we build our relationship with God, remember him and reaffirm his importance in our daily lives.


Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Counseling

Contact Mark Kurowski at (630) 829-6029 or [email protected] for spiritual direction and any University Ministry staff for pastoral counseling.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

Contact Mark Kurowski at (630) 829-6029 or [email protected].

Rediscover Catholicism Month

God wants us to thrive. He wants our future to be brighter, happier and more fulfilling. Whatever we can dream, we can realize through Him. Catholicism provides the road map to happiness, success and a closer relationship with God. By rediscovering our faith, we can discover the path to an incredible future.


Volunteer Opportunities

• Food Packaging Event (Kids Against Hunger)• Community Service Fair• Sleep Out Saturday (November) • Christmas Drive (late November)• West Suburban Community Pantry (once a month)• Service Immersion Experience Trips (Bolivia, Philippines and Hopkins Park, Ill.)

Ecumenical and Interfaith Opportunities

• Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru)• Protestant Bible Study• Chinese Protestant Bible Study• Catholic Bible Study• Catholic-Muslim Dialogue• MOSAIC/Interfaith Youth Core • Gospel Choir• Hindu Student Association• Muslim Student Association


I help people because it

makes my life fuller.

I serve because I

have been served

all my life.

I serve people because I know what it is like to go hungry. Nobody should go through that.

Ministries


Mass/Liturgical Ministries

All liturgies for the University, particularly the Convocation Mass, the Commencement weekend Mass and all other Holy Days which occur when students are on campus, are planned by University Ministry. University Ministry also facilitates the weekly Sunday Mass and daily Mass in the St. Benedict Chapel on the fourth floor of Kindlon Hall. Most services are presided over by the monks of St. Procopius Abbey. Students serve as lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, greeters, altar servers and ushers.

Catholic Board

Students take a leadership role in planning and conducting Bible studies, service projects, presentations and other ministries in the areas of Religious Education/Formation, Catholic Life, Stewardship, Liturgical Planning and Peace and Social Justice.

Koinonia Retreat

“Koinonia” comes from a Greek word meaning “fellowship.” This Catholic retreat offers students a chance to share faith, fun and reflection with new friends (and some old ones). Talks revolve around the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and how to improve your relationship with God. For some participants, it changes their lives. For others, it gives them a loving atmosphere to help them along the way. Open to students from other denominations, the three-day, off-campus retreat includes good music, great food and even better conversation. The Koinonia Retreat is offered every October and April. For more information or to apply, visit ben.edu/koinonia.

Ministries serve as an outward expression of our love for the Father in Heaven. They create opportunities to know, serve and praise Him individually and collectively. They also allow us to share our faith with others and come to know how others know God.

Interreligious Ministries

Interreligious Ministries seek to fulfill the objectives of the Vatican II document, Nostra Aetate, which is Latin for “In Our Time,” a document that revolutionized the Catholic Church’s approach to people of other religions. University Ministry offers Catholic-Muslim Dialogue every other Tuesday, and supports MOSAIC (Movement of Students Achieving Interfaith Collaboration), a service ministry which unites students of different faiths for action in our community.

Protestant Board

Students take a leadership role in planning and conducting Bible studies, service projects, Gospel choir and presentations from a Protestant Christian perspective. For more information, contact [email protected] or call (630) 829-6029.

Music Ministries

• Liturgical Ensemble• Gospel Choir• Cantor Ministry• Koinonia Praise

and Worship Team



Service

Local Opportunities

Students can participate in service ministries which benefit the poor and disadvantaged of DuPage County on weekends during the semester by stocking the shelves at food pantries, helping the homeless find shelter and many other opportunities. Each semester, students are invited to attend the Community Service Fair, where volunteer coordinators from a dozen local organizations help students find a place to serve.

In Mark 12:31, Jesus told us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Service to others is one way by which we serve God and keep Him close in our lives. Studies have shown that service enhances the personal and social development of students and teaches them to treat each other more kindly. Visit our webpage for more details at ben.edu/sie.

ExperiencesImmersion

I serve others to make an impact in someone’s life.

National Day of Service

The National Day of Service, usually held on the first Saturday in April (when it does not conflict with Easter), brings all online learners, faculty, staff, alumni, family members and students of Benedictine University at Mesa, Benedictine University at Springfield and the Lisle main campus together at the same time to serve others across the country in 13 cities. The 2015 event will be held on April 11.

For more details and to register, go to ben.edu/service after January 1, 2015.

Remember to post your photos from the National Day of Service on #BenUNDS15.

International Opportunities

Students travel to places like Bacolod, Negros Island Philippines, and Sucre, Bolivia to serve the poor and homeless by building homes and visiting orphanages, soup kitchens and hospitals. Students raise their own funds to participate in these trips.


I serve others because I feel

like it’s my duty as a fellow

community member.

Experiences


Ministries

Daily Meditations and Podcasts Reflections

Daily reflective meditations are provided to the community via email and a downloadable reflection on the Scriptures for Sunday Mass is available online. Both of these electronic ministries are hallmarks of our approach to adults and professionals, the fastest growing segment of the University. They are available at ben.edu/inspire.

Internet Ministry

University Ministry offers a YouTube Channel at youtube.com/user/BenUMinistry and you can “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/BenUMin. Follow us on Twitter@BenUMinistry.

to

throughAll

MediaMore students and adults get their news and information through nontraditional means such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Reaching out to the community and amplifying the gospel message via new media helps University Ministry reach out to a broader – and busier – audience.


General

Spiritual Direction

Want to know more about how God works in your life? University Ministry staff members offer Spiritual Direction, a centuries-old practice of the Catholic Church.

Pastoral Counseling

Want to apply the principles of Catholic life to mending broken relationships with others? Speak to a member of the Pastoral Counseling team.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care can provide a comforting prayer at a funeral, a kind word to the loved one who is in need and help and direction to those who are homeless or hungry. To submit a prayer request, please visit ben.edu/prayers.

MinistryServices

True change, true growth and true comfort are the result of God’s work in the human heart. The responses and remedies to life’s problems can only be achieved through the understanding God’s truth and how He works through us.

For more information about places of

workship, please visit ben.edu/worship.

For a select listing of religious holidays, please

visit ben.edu/dates.

University

Mark Kurowski, M.Div. ……………… (630) 829-6029 or [email protected] of University Ministry, Coordinator of Retreats

Carrie Roberts …………………………....(630) 829-6028 or [email protected] Associate for Outreach

Fr. Philip Timko, O.S.B. ……………...……(630) 829-6030 or [email protected] of Sacraments

Anne Madden ……………………...……(630) 829-6024 or [email protected] Associate for Liturgical Music

Maureen Romero …………………….…(630) 829-1310 or [email protected] Assistant

Fr. James Flint, O.S.B. ………………..………(630) 829-6405 or [email protected] Director of St. Procopius Abbey

Office of University MinistryBenedictine University Kindlon Hall, Room 4195700 College RoadLisle, IL 60532(630) 829-1310Email: [email protected]: ben.edu/ministry


MinistryStaffThe University Ministry staff welcomes you and is here for you with a listening

ear, an understanding heart and an encouraging word. No matter what you

believe or where you are on your journey of faith.

University Ministry 13 2014-2015 University Ministry 14 2014-2015

Do you truly seek God?If the answer is “Yes,” then you have made the first step

toward the sincere practice of Christianity and perhaps

the particular expression of the Christian

life known as Benedictine monasticism.

How does one know whether one has a monastic vocation?St. Benedict begins his Rule with the words:

“Listen, my son, to the precepts of the Master;

incline the ear of your heart.”

Consider the Monastic Life as a Benedictine Sister at Sacred Heart Monastery

Do you feel that God is calling you?Would you like to discuss how you are feeling with someone?

Learn more about how you can do this by

contacting Sr. Christine Kouba, O.S.B., at

[email protected], (630) 725-6080

or (630) 977-9225.

Website: shmlisle.org

Social media: facebook.com/shmlisle

Sacred Heart Monastery — 1910 Maple Ave. Lisle, IL 60532-2164

Consider the Monastic Life as a Benedictine Monk of St. Procopius Abbey

One discovers one’s calling in life by opening oneself to God in prayer and listening for His response. Often a priest or other spiritual advisor can be of assistance in discerning God’s will. Not everyone has a vocation to monastic life, but if you do, God will offer you the means to recognize it.

St. Procopius Abbey5601 College Rd.

Lisle, IL 60532(630) 969-6410

[email protected]

“Listen and attend

with the ear of

your heart.”- St. Benedict

2014 uministry booklet

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