Celebrate Spirit focuses on environment
Dakota DeRidder and Ashley Piechocki
Issue date: 10/7/09 Section: News
| |
|
The service, in the style of a Catholic mass, is open to all members of the UDM community and celebrates all faiths. Due to floor reconstruction in Calihan Hall, the event was held across McNichols Road at Gesu Church.
UDM President the Rev. Gerard L. Stockhausen led the Sept. 24 celebration.
The focus on the planet resonated with many who attended.
"I really loved that the university made the theme about bettering our environment because, as an architecture student and a conscientious member of society, I think it's important to raise awareness about issues that are going to affect all of us in the near future," said sophomore Kurt Facknitz.
Gary Lichtman, director of media relations for the university, agreed.
"Father Stockhausen wanted us to be more aware of the gifts we have on this earth and how we can empower ourselves to take better care for our environment," he said.
Flowers, ferns and a photo slideshow reinforced the theme, as did a large globe carried into the church by Bethany Morrell and raised to the ceiling.
"I think the globe was just a reminder to all of us that we are a small piece of the whole puzzle," said Morrell, a junior who is active in the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, which delivers meals to the homeless.
"We must remember that what we are learning here is important so that we can go out and change the world around us."
Lorin Folk, a junior criminal justice major, was attending the mass for the first time.
"The visuals all around the church helped me to realize not only how important the earth is, but also how important it is to be proud of your different cultures and traditions," she said. "As a Lebanese-American, seeing the different cultures and religions proceed around the church has inspired me to take part in the ceremony next year."
The ceremony began with a procession of new students and staff who walked into the church behind banners for their colleges. Organ music played, trumpets sounded and choirs sang.
"I was really moved by some of the solos," said student Kiana Sledge.
Among the surprises was a small routine by the Titans in Motion dance team.
"The dance was great," said student Christina Arko. "It really added more to the ceremony."
This year's event fell on Mercy Day, which is the day that the House of Mercy was founded 182 years ago in Dublin, Ireland, according to Sr. Katherine Hill, RSM. (UDM is a college in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions.)
Monica Betker contributed to this story.
Be the first to comment on this story