Last Weekday Masses

The final Tuesday Mass of the semester is on December 10 at 5:15, and the final Friday Mass of the semester is on December 13 at 12:05. Please join us for prayer, celebration, and soup during this study/exam week for students!

GSYA Happy Hour This Friday

Our final grad student/young adult happy hour of the semester is this Friday at the CSC! Join us for libations and conversation from 5:30-7:30.

No Weekday Masses This Week

Due to Thanksgiving break, there will be no Tuesday or Friday Masses this week. Weekday Masses will resume the week of December 2. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Awakening Retreat Signups Are Open!

You can learn more about the CSC's marquee retreat, Awakening, and sign up for it online today. The upcoming Awakening retreat is on November 22-24.

http://www.washucsc.org/events/retreats/awakening.html

Special Mass Schedule This Weekend

Due to a combination of Parent's Weekend and Cardinals baseball, we're going to have a unique Mass schedule this weekend as follows:

4:00 pm Saturday (followed by reception for visiting parents)

11:00 am Sunday

4:00 pm Sunday

All Masses will be at the Catholic Student Center.

Thanks!

--CSC Staff

CSU Disney Sing-a-Long Coming Up Soon!

Students, join the musically talented CSC interns for our bi-annual Disney Sing-a-Long night at the CSC on Thursday, October 24 in the social hall from 8:30-10:30 pm. We guarantee that you'll never hear a better rendition of "A Whole New World."

Grad Student/Young Adult Happy Hour this Thursday!

The next GSYA happy hour will take place this Thursday, Oct. 10, from 5:30-7:30pm. Please join us at the CSC for free drinks, free food and lots of great fun!

Newmanfest This Saturday!

Students are welcome to join the greater CSC community this Saturday at the Ritz (just down the street) to help celebrate at our biggest annual fundraising event. Put on your finest suit or dress and join us for the the massive dance party from 9:00-12:00.

Can Science Disprove God?

Or does science point to an intelligent creator? What's more reasonable and responsible: a Creator or a physical universe without a creator? Join nationally renowned expert Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ, from 7-8:30pm on Monday, Sept. 30 at the CSC, for a presentation and discussion on science and faith: "From Nothing to Cosmos."

Newmanfest Tickets for Sale!

The 2013 Newman Gala (Newmanfest) is coming up soon on October 5. Reserve your ticket now via the Gala website or at the Gala table after Mass. The Gala is a great way to socialize and mingle with fellow community members while supporting the student ministry at the CSC.

Nanny Needed for Community Member

A community member is looking for a nanny for one 12-month-old baby girl for 3 days a week (T/W/Th) from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. They're looking for someone with nanny/daycare experience, and I think they will pay very well. Also, the community member (Christine Phillips, cphillips823@gmail.com) is expecting another child, so in April the position would shift to 4 days a week for two children. Please contact Christine if you're interested!

Freshman Welcome Night This Sunday!

The CSC will welcome all of the new freshmen to the CSC and to Wash U through our annual freshmen welcome night at 7:00 at the CSC this Sunday. Dinner will be included, and freshmen are invited to join us for 9:00 Mass afterwards.

A group of staff and students will be meeting at the South 40 clocktower at 6:45 to walk over to the CSC together.

Special Mass Times This Weekend

Orientation Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday 8/24: 4:30pm Mass (followed by reception for students & their families) Sunday 8/25: 11am Mass Sunday 8/25: 4:30pm Mass (followed by Welcome Back BBQ -students, come on back for the BBQ even if you went to an earlier Mass!) 11am Mass may be extra crowded with new students and their families, so we invite you to come to one of the 4:30pm Masses if you can.

School-Year Mass Schedule Beginning Sept. 1, we will return to the regular Sunday Mass schedule of 11am and 9pm Mass.

Weekday Mass and Soup Weekday Mass and Soup will return on Friday, Sept. 6! 12:05pm Friday Mass & Soup (begins 9/6) 5:15pm Tuesday Mass & Soup (begins 9/10)

New Student Open House

The CSC would like to invite all incoming students and their families to an open house on Friday, August 23 from 2:00-4:00. The CSC is located at 6352 Forsyth Blvd.

Peace Be with You

At Mass this past Sunday, Fr. Gary helped us dissect the Our Father prayer. For me, it was a good reminder to think about and truly mean the words when I say that prayer, as well as other prayers and responses that are so easy to mindlessly repeat at Mass if I'm not careful.

The reminder brought to light a gesture we do every week at Mass: the sign of peace. Until yesterday, this just seemed like any other part of Mass to me. It's just one of those things we do, week after week.

But this week, I experienced something different. As we were doing the sign of peace, I realized how unique and special it is to take the time every week to look someone in the eye, take their hand in yours, and wish them peace. Think about how remarkable that is. It's one minute out of your week, but if you're like me, it is the only minute that you spend actively wishing peace upon someone else.

And it's not just that you're wishing people peace; rather, you're indiscriminately wishing people peace. I do a full 360-degree turn when I do the sign of peace, shaking hands with all of the people around me. You probably do too. We don't pick and choose who gets to receive our sign of peace--gender, race, age, religion. People you love, people you loathe. Close friends and complete strangers. The rich and the poor, the sick and the healthy. If you're within range, you get peace.

This is not a small thing. It's a remarkable message, really: That we need to make time for peace in our lives, and that we need to do so without bias or discrimination.

But it works only if it's more than just an empty gesture. The next time you do the sign of peace, you have a choice: Are you merely offering your hand to the people around you, or are you offering them peace?

--Jamey Stegmaier
Director of Operations

The Church's Best Kept Secret

The Church's Best Kept Secret: Catholic Social Justice Teaching will be a special event presented at the CSC by Cynthia Enghauser at the CSC on Tuesday, July 23 at 7:00.

Richard Rohr quote

This is the quote from Richard Rohr that Deacon Phil Hengen mentioned at Mass this Sunday:

Watch your thoughts, they become words.

Watch your words, they become actions.

Watch your actions, they become habits.

Watch your habits, they become character.

Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.

Richard Rohr Breathing Under Water:  Spirituality and the Twelve Steps

Forsyth Closed

Forsyth will be closed from the west of the CSC until July 5. We apologize for the inconvenience. The stretch of Forsyth in front of the CSC can still be accessed from the east.

Construction has begun across the street at Wash U, so parking will be more limited at Mass. You can park on Sundays down the street at Hillel or Forsyth School, or on Wash U's architecture school parking lot. Please add a few extra minutes for the longer walk to the CSC on Sunday.

Commonweal Editorial Editorial Assistant Position Open

Commonweal Magazine is looking for a new editorial assistant to begin work here at the end of the summer. The editorial assistant will help the editors with manuscript review, proofreading, and editorial correspondence. He or she will also be responsible for some administrative and office support duties. The editorial assistant will participate in editorial meetings for the print and digital editions of Commonweal, and may have the opportunity to contribute original writing as time permits.

The position requires a bachelor's degree, outstanding writing and organizational skills, and painstaking attention to detail. We are looking for candidates with a demonstrated familiarity with Commonweal and the topics it covers (Catholicism, theology, politics, books, media). Prior experience in a journalism or media environment, as well as experience with Web-based publishing tools and techniques, would be a significant plus. The position is full-time, although the Commonweal office operates on a four-day work week (Monday through Thursday).

Send a resume, cover letter, and relevant writing samples to jobs@commonwealmagazine.org.

Special 1:30 Mass This Sunday

In addition to the regular 11:00 am Mass this Sunday, June 2, there will be a special First Communion Mass at 1:30 at the CSC. This Mass is open to anyone in the community. Please join us in welcoming some young hearts and minds into the community.

Part-Time Babysitter Wanted (community post)

City family seeking a part-time babysitter for two children, ages 6 and 9 starting in the 2013-14 school year.
Candidates must be available from 3 p.m.- 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  The position would require picking our kids up from school, driving them home, overseeing homework, etc.

Eligible candidates must have a car with automobile insurance, possess a valid driver's license, and have experience working with children.

$12/hr plus reimbursement for mileage from their school to our home.

If interested, please send an email to courtney.mcdermott@gmail.com  

Senior Week

2013 graduates, please join us for a special Baccalaureate Mass and lunch this Wednesday from 12:00-2:00 at the CSC, as well as a graduation open house at the CSC on Thursday from 12:00-2:00. We look forward to celebrating your time at the CSC, the next step in your journey, and the family members who supported you every step of the way.

Mass in Graham Chapel for Mother's Day

The Catholic Student Center will celebrate Mother's Day Mass at 11:00 in Graham Chapel on the Wash U campus this Sunday. There will be no 9:00 pm Mass that day.

Huge CSU Study Break for Students at the CSC

Catholic Student Union is sponsoring the best study break ever for students at the CSC this Wednesday, May 1, from 4:00-5:30. It will include free massages, free Tropical Moose shaved ice, cornhole, and spikeball.

CSU's Dollar Dinner will immediately follow the study break in the CSC social hall (5:30-7:00).

Discernment Talk

Sr. Linda recommends the following talk by Fr. Paul Coutinho on discernment:

http://www.slu.edu/mission-and-ministry/faculty-and-staff-mission-programs/living-the-ignatian-spirit/what-is-discernment

Upcoming Service and Social Justice Events

Contemplatives In Action: Social Analysis Sunday: Sunday April 14th at 6:30pm

* Join us for a panel discussion with educators from around the St. Louis area!  This event is open to all students and young adults.

GSYA Day of Service: Saturday, April 20th at 9:30am

* Join us for a service event at a community garden in the Ville Neighborhood of North St. Louis.

Contemplatives In Action Info Sessions: Sunday, April 21st at 8pm and Tuesday, April 30th at 6:30pm

The 2nd Sunday of Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday

John Paul II declared the 2nd Sunday of Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday as a recognition of the inconceivable mercy of Christ.

In particular this feast day stems from private revelations that St. Faustina received in the early 20th century, where she wrote of Christ's great love for all and his desire to extend mercy to all. The Church teaches that on this particular Sunday special graces of mercy are present in taking the Eucharist, if you have received the sacrament of reconciliation within 20 days of Divine Mercy Sunday. In recognizing Christ's great mercy through our own repentance and desire for mercy the Church teaches that our sins are indeed completely forgiven. The Church also teaches that Christ's mercy compels us to go out and be merciful in our own lives and in the world. 

Check out more info about this feast day at:
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/notes-and-quotes-for-reflection-on-divine-mercy.cfm

Marathon This Sunday!

The St. Louis Marathon is this Sunday, and for part of the morning it will be somewhat difficult to access the Catholic Student Center. Forsyth will be partially blocked until around 10:37 per the route schedule, so please plan accordingly when scheduling your morning.

Holy Week Schedule

Holy Thursday: 7:00 at the CSC
Good Friday: 7:00 at the CSC
Holy Saturday Easter Vigil: 7:30 at the CSC, party to follow
Easter Sunday: 9:30 and 11:30 at Graham Chapel

CSU Fish Fry

Join us from 5:30-7:30 on Friday, March 22 for some wonderful company and a delicious Lenten dinner at the Catholic Student Union's annual fish fry! The cost is only $5, and all are welcome to attend. This event will be held in the CSC social hall.

Bodily Stations of the Cross

Sacred Movements of Devotion
(Bodily Stations of the Cross)

Monday, March 18, 7pm in CSC Commons
Come experience the living Stations of the Cross through this modern form that incorporates bodily "yoga" type poses for each of the participants. You will not only journey with Christ in his passion through spiritual meditation but also through feeling a bit of the suffering in each station in your own body with each pose. No yoga experience is necessary in order to do the poses associated with each station. Please bring your own yoga mat and comfortable clothing. All are welcome to attend!

Confession Marathon

The CSC's annual Confession Marathon will be Wednesday, March 6. We will have priests available from 2pm-midnight for the sacrament of reconciliation. Students, we especially hope that you will be able to join us. Students will be given priority if there is any wait.

CSC Day of Prayer

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, CSC staff members will be present in the chapel all day praying with and for students. Come by anytime from 8am-8pm to enjoy the silence and pray by yourself or with someone for what is stirring in your own heart. The day will conclude with praise and worship music at 8pm.

Deepening Retreat

Deepening: Faith, Soul, & Community

Graduate Students and Young Adults

The Deepening Retreat (March 1-3) is an opportunity for the graduate student and young adult community to form, explore, and strengthen relationships with God and with each other. We will seek to gain a deeper understanding of our God, our community and ourselves through a weekend of talks, small faith groups, prayer, and group activities. Please join us!

Awakening Retreat

Sign-ups are now available for our annual Awakening retreat (February 22-24), the biggest retreat of the year. This retreat is an incredible opportunity to deepen your spirituality with other students and young adults! The total cost of the retreat is $50. For more information, or to sign up, contact the Awakening coordinators, Marc Remmert and Kathleen Hiltz at awakening.spring.2013@gmail.com or ask Cynthia (enghauser@washucsc.org).

Babysitter Wanted

A young couple in the community is looking for a babysitter for their 5-month old daughter on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-5. They live near Delmar and 170. If you're interested, please contact Jamey (stegmaier@washucsc.org) to connect you with the couple.

Awakening Retreat

Sign-ups are now available for our annual Awakening retreat (February 22-24), the biggest retreat of the year. This retreat is an incredible opportunity to deepen your spirituality with other students and young adults! The total cost of the retreat is $50. For more information, or to sign up, contact the Awakening coordinators, Marc Remmert and Kathleen Hiltz at awakening.spring.2013@gmail.com or ask Cynthia (enghauser@washucsc.org).

Superbowl Sunday

Mass times for Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 3) are 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, both at the Catholic Student Center. There will be no 9:00 pm Mass, and the 4:00 pm Mass will conclude with plenty of time for you to make it home in time for kickoff.

Young Catholic Scholars presentation

Are you interested in the intersection of faith and science? The two can often seem contradictory, but as the CSC's Young Catholic Scholars have learned over the past 7 months, they are intrinsically intertwined. If you'd like to hear about what they've learned, join us at the CSC in the living room this Thursday, January 24 from 5:00 to 6:00. Pizza and beer (21+) will be provided.

If you are a student pursuing a degree in a field of science and want to delve deeper into science vs. faith (and receive a scholarship for doing so), Thursday's presentation is a great way to meet the program director, Sr. Amy Hereford, and learn more about the program from her and the Young Catholic Scholars themselves.

Freshmen Welcome Back Dinner

Freshmen--

Welcome Back! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas Break with friends and family! With the hopes of making the transition back to school a little easier, let the CSC staff take care of dinner for a night!

Please join us at the CSC on Wednesday, January 16th at 6pm for a welcome back dinner. It will be a great chance to see classmates again as well as enjoy a great meal.

Please RSVP by emailing Matt Schwab (schwab@washucsc.org) so that we can have an accurate head count. Please include any dietary restrictions you have in the email.

We hope to see a lot of you there!