CAMPUS MINISTRY NEWS

By: Ms. Geri Pitti

Our spiritual theme for this year is "IWA – Following in His Footsteps.” As part of our identity with Jesus, the Incarnate Word, each one of us is called to deepen our personal relationship with Christ. We know that if we walk with God, we are never alone. Luke’s Gospel 9:23-24 states, "Then Jesus said to all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’” So let us focus on following Jesus by our words and actions, always reaching out to others in love and compassion. May we continue to build God’s Kingdom here on earth and spread the mission of Incarnate Word Academy.

The next All School Liturgy will be on September 15 at 9:20 a.m. in the theater. We celebrate Founder’s Day...the day that marks the beginning of Incarnate Word Academy...the day that commemorates the opening of the doors to young women in the North County area by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Father Oscar Vasquez from Chaminade High School will be our celebrant, and IWA’s Circle will lead us in singing during the Liturgy.

Homecoming Liturgy will be celebrated in the Chapel at 11:00 a.m. on September 18. You are most welcome to join the Golden Girls (Class of 1960) at this special Liturgy. Father Richard Vogt will be the celebrant.

Grandparents’ & Special Guests’ Day Liturgy is scheduled for Monday, November 1. Invitations will be sent out in early September. Please notify the Campus Ministry Office if any grandparent does not receive his/her invitation by September 20. So please mark your calendars for this special day.

Please remember that all of the students are encouraged to come and join the faculty/staff each day for Morning Prayer in the Chapel at 7:30 a.m. Communion Service is held every Friday morning in the Chapel at 7:30 a.m. All the girls are invited to attend. In addition, the Chapel is always open for personal prayer during the day.

As part of the expectations established by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops to address the safety of all children and youth while entrusted to the care of the Church, all high school students participating in service projects are required to receive instruction on the Code of Ethical Conduct and must sign the Code of Ethics form. Sometime during the month of September all Freshmen and transfer students will attend a presentation highlighting the key points of the Code of Ethical Conduct that is required from the Catholic Education Office. They will then sign the Code of Ethics form, which will put them in compliance with the archdiocesan guidelines.

Some of our seniors will take part in Kairos #19 Retreat at King’s House in Belleville, IL from October 6-8, 2010. Kairos means God’s Time, and so during this retreat the girls will have the opportunity to hear many talks and will then discuss their reflections in small group sessions as they learn more about themselves, their relationship with God, and their relationship with others. This is a wonderful experience for the girls. Application forms and money are due to the Campus Ministry Office by September 3. Please keep the leaders in your prayers as they prepare their talks and sharing sessions for the retreat.

IWA has formed a team to participate in the Walk for Autism on Saturday, October 9 at Forest Park from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Chairperson, Caitlin Ferris, will be having sign-ups to join the IWA team as well as selling t-shirts for those interested in walking with us that day. There will also be a dress out day to benefit the Walk for Autism on October 8th.

Many of the students have volunteered during the summer working on their Community Service Hours. The spirit of Jesus, the Incarnate Word, was taken with them as they worked and talked with others, and touched others’ lives. We are proud of their efforts to provide assistance where it is needed!! All completed community service cards may be turned in at the Campus Ministry Office.

Many requests for community service come to my attention on a regular basis. These requests are posted on the Campus Ministry bulletin board located in the Chapel building, announced during morning/afternoon announcements, and written up on Edline, under Campus Ministry Link - Service Opportunities, as well as on the Inside Campus Ministry link on IWA’s website. Please encourage your daughter to volunteer at some of these service projects. Research indicates that students who participate in community service programs tend to have stronger ties to school, peers, and the community, as well as a higher exhibition of positive social behaviors including caring, civic virtue, justice and fairness, respect and responsibility.

Here are some service opportunities for the girls: Marygrove Child Center is looking for juniors and seniors who would like to become a Faith Partner with one of the children living at Marygrove. This Spiritual Development Program of Catholic Charities offers an opportunity for students to share one on one with a child at Marygrove Child Center. The Faith Partner will share God’s love, mercy and compassion with a child living in a residential center. The student will work one on one with his/her Faith Partner on Wednesday night from 6:15 to 8:15. This commitment will help develop a trusting relationship for the child, a trust which may have been broken by past abuse and neglect. Marygrove Child Center is located in Florissant, MO at 2705 Mullanphy Lane. If you would like to become a Faith Partner, please stop by the Campus Ministry Office for more information.

Energy Care is an organization that works to protect low-income, homebound people especially the elderly, and seriously ill or physically disabled adults and children from illness, hospitalization or death from summer heat or winter cold. This organization was founded by Sister Pat Kelley, a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word and an IWA alum. Contact Sarah Moll at 314-773-5900 ext. 25 or assttodirector@sbcglobal.net for further information or to volunteer your services.

The University of Missouri - St. Louis invites the IWA girls to earn their required community service hours through the UM-St. Louis Volunteer Services Program. Opportunities are available in being a Welcome Center Assistant, a Special Event Hostess, an Art Gallery Assistant, and a Child Care Assistant. Please contact Elizabeth Pawloski, volunteer coordinator, for more information @314-516-4107 or www.umsl.edu/services/volunteer.

SSM DePaul Health Center is currently accepting applications for their Youth Volunteer Program. In order to apply for this program, students must be at least 16 years old and at least a junior in high school. Please call 314-344-7082 for an information packet.

Independence Center is looking for volunteers. The center serves adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder or major depression, in the St. Louis community. The center also tries to reach out to young adults, ages 18-30, who have been recently diagnosed with a mental illness. Independence Center is located in the Central West End. Please contact the Campus Ministry Office if you would like to earn community service hours by volunteering at this site.

Reflection Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Now the word of God came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, "Ah God! Behold, I do not know how to speak for I am only a youth.” But God said to me, "Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Be not afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you.” Then God put forth a hand and touched my mouth; and God said to me, "Behold, I have put my words into your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms to build and to plant.” Let us follow in the footsteps of Jesus building his kingdom and planting good deeds as we make a positive difference in the world.