Observe Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Feb. 19-24
Campus Ministry announces the first celebration at St. Thomas of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Feb. 19-24.
This internationally recognized, ecumenical event is traditionally celebrated Jan. 18-25, covering days between the feast of St. Peter and the feast of St. Paul. It sometimes is celebrated around Pentecost (June 4), which also is a symbolic date for church unity.
St. Thomas' celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a time to come together during the academic year to pray together for the full unity of all Christians. Events throughout the week, sponsored by a variety of student groups and academic departments, offer opportunities for students, faculty and staff to pray for Christian unity, engage the complexity of this topic in intellectual dialogue and discuss how it shapes the university.
The theme of this year's week is "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them" (Matthew 18:20). The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches offer the following reflection in this theme:
"During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and indeed in prayer for unity throughout the year, we are invited to a profound awareness that unity is a grace and that we need continually to ask for this gift. Amidst our efforts to foster the unity of our own communities and of the unity of all Christians, we do well to be attentive to the importance of gathering ecumenically to pray in Jesus' name. Whenever we do so, we are invited to trust in the power of prayer offered in the presence of Jesus, who promised his disciples: 'Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven' (Matthew 18:19). What matters is not so much a plurality of voices, but the fact that these voices are united in prayer. The still voice that speaks in each of our hearts is strengthened when we come together in his name. As we pray, let us remember and give thanks for much progress in recent decades toward unity among Christians; Jesus Christ has been present among us through the power of his Holy Spirit, praying with us to the Father."
Events for the week are listed below. All students, faculty and staff are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Sunday, Feb. 19
All are welcome to a contemporary ecumenical praise and worship celebration sponsored by Ignite at 10 p.m. in O'Shaughnessy Educational Center auditorium.
Monday, Feb. 20
Presentation, discussion and question-and-answer session on Pope John Paul II's encyclical Ut unum sint: On Commitment to Ecumenism, with Father Arthur Kennedy, of the UST Theology Department and recent director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. The student organization Catholic SOULS sponsors the session, which begins at 9 p.m. in the Fireside Room of Koch Commons. Find a copy of the encyclical here.
Tuesday, Feb. 21
- Why Should We Care About Christian Unity? This is the title of a panel presentation and discussion with Dr. Terence Nichols, chair of the UST Theology Department and delegate of the U.S. bishops to the National Council of Churches USA Faith and Order Commission; Father Arthur Kennedy, of the UST Theology Department faculty and recent director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs; and Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk, of the UST Theology Department faculty and director of the UST program in Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue. The session will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Center for Catholic Studies in Sitzmann Hall. Pizza and pop will be provided.
- Christian Unity: Myth, Goal or Gift? is the title of a presentation and discussion with the Rev. Lamont Koerner of the University of Minnesota Lutheran Campus Ministry. Sponsored by SHINE, the presentation begins at 9 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of Koch Commons.
- Common Ground and Campus Ministry host night prayer for Christian unity beginning at 10:30 p.m. at Common Ground, 2154 Summit Ave.
Wednesday, Feb. 22
- The UST Theology Department hosts a "Theology on Tap" session, “One Bread, One Body: The Call to Christian Unity,” with Dr. Terence Nichols beginning from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of Koch Commons. Pizza and pop will be provided.
- Dowling Hall Chaplain Stephanie Reller leads Bible study and prayer for Christian unity, sponsored by Solid Rock Bible Study, at 8 p.m. in the first-floor Lounge of Dowling Hall.
Thursday, Feb. 23
- A prayer service for Christian unity, sponsored by Campus Ministry, begins at 5 p.m. in the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. A fellowship reception and discussion follow in the Fireside Lounge of Koch Commons.
- St. Paul's Outreach, a lay ministry that serves university students and young adults, hosts an evening prayer vigil for Christian unity beginning at 8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of Koch Commons.
- Common Ground and Campus Ministry host night prayer for Christian unity beginning at 10:30 p.m. at Common Ground, 2154 Summit Ave.
Friday, Feb. 24
Volunteers in Action sponsors an extreme dodgeball tournament as a fund-raiser for Habitat for Humanity from 5 to 8 p.m. in the third-floor gym of O'Shaughnessy Hall athletic building. Sign up in the Center for Community Partnerships or in Campus Ministry.
