SJU Campus Ministry Fills FYRE Retreat
by Phoebe Carstens, SJUfaith Graduate Student Intern
On the weekend of September 29 – October 1, 2023, 70 CSB and SJU students, 13 student leaders, and 3 Campus Ministry staff members travelled to Alexandria, MN for a weekend full of faith-sharing, rest, and building community. SJUfaith’s annual First Year Retreat Experience (FYRE) brought together first year students across different academic majors, cultures, and even faith traditions for some time dedicated to introducing students to Benedictine values and forming connections with one another. The three-day retreat included talks by student leaders, small group reflection time, guided prayer, dance parties, nature walks, and team building activities.
One of the primary goals of FYRE is to provide the space for first year students to get to know students who are outside of their regular spheres: faces they might see across the altar at the 9PM student mass but have never met, campus leaders they see facilitating clubs and student events but have never had a conversation with. FYRE is the place to put names to faces and stories to names. This was exemplified in the praise and worship time Saturday evening. After a day full of talks and small-group sharing about community living, listening, and moderation, interspersed with lectio divina and lively skits, we took a pause to pray and sing together. For the final song, everyone in the chapel arranged themselves in one big circle, arms around shoulders so that all were included. As each person sang about being their sibling’s keeper, it was clear that these were not mere words — this had really become a community.
CSB Campus Ministry Paints the Word
with Karen Handeland On October 3, 2003, approximately 35 students and a few sisters from St. Benedict’s Monastery gathered for Painting the Word this October as a Lifeline Event with Campus Ministry at the College of Saint Benedict. The retreat was sponsored in part by Bridge Builders for a Thriving Mission. Artist Karen Handeland walked participants through the creative process. They were delighted to dive into prayer and painting based on the parable of the Sower and the Seed. It was an encouraging and inspiring evening! Painting the Word experiences like these use Seeing the Word pamphlets from Liturgical Press and involves both Lectio Divina and Visio Divina.
What’s Your Big Idea for Community?
The Bridge-Builders for a Thriving Mission Initiative provides up to $2,000 for approved big ideas that support thriving communities.
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