Advent Decorating This Friday!

Every year we gather to decorate the CSC for the upcoming Advent season. The holiday spirit will be in the air this Friday, November 30th, from 1:30-4:30 as we hang decorations, dress the tree, and much on Christmas snacks. The more help, the merrier!

Finding God in Meteorites

A CSC alumni recently had an article published about how he is finding God in the intersection between science and faith. A short, enlightening read:

http://www.jesuit.org/blog/index.php/2012/04/jesuit-brother-with-passion-for-science-finds-god-in-meteorites/

Silent Adoration

Join us every Wednesday for silent adoration from 8:00-9:00 in the CSC Chapel. All are welcome.

Post-Election Thoughts

To all those who are disappointed or angered by the results of the presidential race, other elections, amendments, or propositions, I offer my genuine condolences. Today is a crappy day for a lot of people. If you are one of them, I hope you can trust in the long, slow, but inevitable evolution of the human race toward love, toward building the kingdom of God. We'll get there. If you feel powerless...if you feel hopeless...if you think that yesterday was a setback...remember that you cannot legislate love. No laws can force people to treat each other with compassion. That transformation happens only from within the human heart. Things don't change from the top down. Oh sure, that can help. But that change results first from how we live and love here on the ground.

In spite of powers that be, many of which try to sell us the idea of individualism (for which I am certain that people 200 years from now will look back and think we were absolutely crazy), remember the power that you have to transform the life of another by loving your neighbor. Remember that we are one. That we belong to one another. That we all want the same things...peace, happiness, justice, freedom, to know each other, to be known, to love, to be loved.  So as hard is it is sometimes, let's not demonize those with whom we disagree politically or in other ways.  We just have different ideas of how to create those things that we long for in our world and in our lives .

You and I will never all the way see it. Our vision of the kingdom of God will never be fully realized while we're on this planet. We'll never experience the full fruits of our labor. And what is more self-sacrificially loving than that? To live and die for a world that we will never fully enjoy...but that those who come long after us might. To be one small piece of a very large puzzle, one tiny link in a chain of love thousands of years in the making. Working to build a kingdom of God on Earth for people we will never know and who will never know our contribution to it. We'll get there. Together. With little acts of love each day that will never be broadcast on NBC News or Fox News. With no ticker tape or fanfare. Only with the hope of a deep faith that reminds us that we are not alone in this struggle that often feels so lonely, that this solitary journey has not been undertaken alone, that billions of people are striving to add their link in that chain of love as well.

We'll get there. Together. Not in our time. But in time. 

-Mark Z

CSU Root Beer Kegger

If you're a Wash U undergrad, join Catholic Student Union and your fellow students at the popular annual Root Beer Kegger. The event will be in the social hall from 8:30-11:00 on Thursday, November 8.

All Saints Day Masses

There are two All Saints Day Masses on November 1 that are associated with the CSC:

12:05: Med Campus Mass

5:15: Mass at the CSC (no soup for you)

World Mass This Sunday

Join us as we celebrate the rich and vibrant heritage of our Catholic faith around the world this Sunday (October 21). Both 11am and 9pm Masses will honor our shared global tradition through a unique liturgy experience that you won't want to miss.

Election 2012: Weighing the Issues & Preparing to Vote

Thursday, Oct. 18th, 5-6pm, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Jones Hall, room 1390.

Dr. Ed Hogan, professor at Kenrick Seminary for the Archdiocese of St. Louis will talk about how to prepare for the upcoming election as a Catholic voter. Co-sponsored by the Catholic Student Organization at St. Louis College of Pharmacy.  

Food and drink provided. 

Teach-In for Justice

Passionate about social justice? Want to become more educated on various justice issues? Join us for a weekend-long trip to the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, DC, from Nov. 15-18. Contact Michelle Verner (verner@washucsc.org) for more information or an application (applications due Monday, Oct. 15; receive $50 off if you register by Monday, Oct. 8).

Newman Gala This Weekend!

The 10th Annual Newman Gala is coming up this weekend, September 29th, at the Ritz Carlton in nearby Clayton. You can still purchase tickets through Jamey Stegmaier (stegmaier@washucsc.org) at the following prices:

$125: Full Gala Ticket
$20: Dance-only ticket (9:00-12:00; for grad students and young adults)
$10: Dance-only ticket (9:00-12:00; for undergrads)
$0: Dance-only ticket (for volunteers the day/night of the Gala)

See www.cscgala.org for more information.

Sophomore/Junior Escape This Weekend

The sophomore/junior escape is coming up this Saturday! Please contact Matt Schwab at schwab@washucsc.org by this Thursday afternoon if you're interested in attending.

Discussion on Faith and Science - Sept. 17

Monday, September 17, 6:30-8pm @ CSC - Discussion on Faith and Science led by Michael and Emily, this year’s Young Catholic Scholars.

The CSC's Science and Faith Program

The Science and Faith program is a community-focused project that brings to light the intertwining of scientific study and religion to the greater CSC and Washington University communities. It will include opportunities for the CSC's scientific community to come together to learn, discuss, and grow through talks, book discussions, and other events.

Other related events later in the semester:

Saturday, October 13, 9am-3pm at the May Center - ITEST conference - scholarships available to interested students. http://faithscience.org/news.html

Monday, October 22, 6:30-8pm @ CSC - Event organized by ITEST participants to share information and conversation with CSC members.

Monday, November 12, 6:30-8pm @ CSC - TBA

Au Pair Wanted

Students and community members, a friend of the CSC, Dawn Trautmann, is looking for an au pair for her two boys. It would include room and board (the au pair would live with the family), cell phone, and use of a car, plus $150/wk--it's very comprehensive. You would need to be available from 7:00 to 8:30 every morning and 3:45 to 8:00 every evening, as well as weekend help as needed.

If you're interested, please contact Dawn at 314-482-4110 or dawn.trautmann@mcgladrey.com

If you have a connection to the CSC community and have a job posting that is relevant to students and other community members, please contact Jamey with a description at stegmaier@washucsc.org.

Freshman Escape

The CSC's annual Freshman Escape is on Saturday, Sept. 8.  These first few days and weeks of school can feel like a bit of a whirlwind, so if a day away at a lake full of swimming, boating, games, new friends, and fun times that you'll remember for the next four years sounds up your alley, contact Angela to sign up by Thursday! (kress@washucsc.org)

First Friday Mass this week, first Tuesday Mass next week

The first Friday Mass of the fall semester is in the CSC chapel this Friday (August 31) at 12:05, followed by a soup lunch. Then the first Tuesday Mass is in the CSC living room or outside next Tuesday (Sept. 4) at 5:15, followed by a soup dinner.

Open House this Friday

The CSC is hosting an open house for incoming students this Friday, August 24, from 2-4:00. Please drop by to see what the CSC is all about!

Catholicism and Gun Control

After hearing a number of questions about the Catholic Church's stance on gun control in recent weeks, CSC campus minister Cynthia Enghauser researched the topic to provide the CSC community with some answers. The opinions below are not Cynthia's personal opinions but rather the opinions of the Catholic Church. If you have any information to add that can be substantiated, please post it in the comments--we're still learning about this topic, just as you are.

The atmosphere of cookouts, vacations, and warm weather this summer has been tragically punctuated by the shootings in Aurora, CO and in Oak Creek, WI.  As a Catholic community, composed of a diverse body of women and men of faith, these tragedies evoke a spectrum of responses and emotions; from disbelief to compassion and sympathy to frustration.  Between these two shootings many were killed and injured, and  others traumatically shaken to the core.  

The ripple effects of such a tragedy are hard to imagine.  In the aftermath, other issues are emerging, and here at the CSC, a recurring question emerges:  "What is the Catholic Church's teaching on gun control?"  This is a straightforward question with complex implications.  For the Catholic Church these shootings are clearly adignity of life issue, but the issues of mental illness, domestic terrorism, and gun control all factor into the equation in a way that deepens the complexity.  While the Church supports government sanctioned requirements and restrictions on the possession of personal firearms, it is not a stance that is often boldly proclaimed.  

In the last 20 years the US Church has indirectly spoken on the issue of personal firearms and possession laws.  In the 1990 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) document, New Slavery, New Freedom: A Pastoral Message on Substance Abuse the bishops spoke of it in conjunction to drug commerce and drug abuse .  Additionally, the availability of firearms was discussed in the 1995 USCCB document Confronting a Culture of Violence:  A Catholic Framework for Action.  This document also expresses the need for advocacy at the parish and diocesan level to eliminate violent crimes for the promotion of safe communities.

In the 2000 USCCB document Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration:  A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice the bishops address the gun control issue (in relation to violent crime) from a more systemic point of view, challenging us to be more accountable for our actions.  This document calls for the elimination of violent crime, but to continue to love those who commit violent crime, and to support them on a path to redemption.  

These three documents go a long way to express the Catholic Church's stance on gun control in regard to violent crime, but are less clear about gun ownership in regard to recreational uses.  In Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration, the bishops "reiterate [a] call for sensible regulations of handguns".  At the present time the bishops support "sensible regulations of handguns", however, in both USSCB documents from 1990 and 2000 they call for "their eventual elimination from our society".  With the caveat for "police officers and military use".  

It will be interesting to see if the USCCB provides any pastoral guidance or instruction in the wake of these recent tragedies.  In the interim though, there are certainly lively and engaging conversations around these issues in Catholic intellectual samples.  Much of the debate centers on power and politics at this particular moment.  

I'd recommend starting here and here (as a note, these links/articles are editorials)

Newman Gala Auction

The CSC Gala is rapidly approaching (September 29), and you'll soon get your invitation in the mail if you're on the mailing list (anyone is welcome, so if you don't an invitation, let us know). We're using a new system for our silent auction this year that will make the auction even more exciting than usual, so we want to ensure that we have a wide variety of incredible auction items for the Gala attendees.

If you have any fun auction items (new, not used), services, gift certificates, airline miles, credit card points, or bottles of wine that you'd like to donate to the auction, you can bring them to Mass and put them in Jamey's office (make sure to label them!) or contact Jamey at stegmaier@washucsc.org. Every little bit helps to enliven the CSC student ministry!

Also, if you're thinking about attending the Gala, feel free to indicate that on the 2012 Newman Gala Facebook page. It's not an official RSVP, but it will help your friends and fellow community members know who else is attending.

Godweiser Event July 25

Troy and Emma Woytek will be leading a discussion on Theology of the Body and Natural Family Planning this Wednesday, July 25, from 7:00 to 8:30 at the CSC. Beer will be served to those 21 and up.

What to Say to Someone Who Is Sick

Fr. Gary recently gave a homily about what to say (and not to say) to someone who is sick. New CSC intern Matt Schwab typed up some of the advice from that homily for your benefit:

What you should say:

1) "Don't write me back"

Sick people should be able to just receive love and kindness without having to worry about keeping people informed.

2) "I'll be going now"

Sick people are sick. They don't feel well, but they still feel the need to entertain their guests. Don't stay too long. If you offer to leave, but they want you to stay, the sick person will tell you to stay.

3) "I don't know what to say to you right now"

Honestly is the most real way to show them you care. Being at a loss for words opens up lines of connection beyond words such as a glance or just physical closeness.

4) "Please pray for me" 

As you are leaving, ask the sick person to pray for you. You probably need it, and they are truly closer to God than you are. It also helps them to look outward a little, to feel as if they still have something to offer the world.

5) "I just care about how you are." or "I love you"

nothing fancy, just real, honest emotion

What not to say:

1) "Everything will be ok"

You don't know that, and it is an unfair assumption to make.

2) "You look great"

They will think/know it is a lie and wonder why you are fixated on their appearance.

3) "I'm sure God did this for a reason."

God does not cause harm or suffering. God has no part in death.

4) "Be strong"

Most people say this because they are uncomfortable with crying or sadness. The sick person has a right to not be strong.

5) "I know just how you feel"

You don't and can't.