Second Medieval and Renaissance Studies Lecture, Feb. 29th

The Medieval and Renaissance Studies minor will offer the second of three talks this semester, “Before Gerbert Met Erbert: A Selective Look at Quelques Petites Choses from ‘Science’ and Religion in the Middle Ages” by Dr. Paul Nienaber SJ, Department of Physics, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, in Room 238, Brother Charles Hall.

Congrats...

to Theology major Ellen Bina Koneck '12 for being named a finalist in the Saint Mary's Outstanding Senior awards! Winners will be named on Founder's day, March 27th.

Lent is coming up...interested in an online retreat? Or different things from which to "fast"?

Creighton University has a ton of resources for Lenten devotionals, audio retreats, etc. If Lent has crept up on you, look at this page for inspiration and ideas.

Also, if you are looking for something off the beaten track to give up for Lent, Lifeteen has some interesting suggestions (although some are what to do rather than what to give up....):

Are you looking for something unconventional to offer up for Lent? We asked Life Teen missionaries and our friends on Facebook for cool stuff they’ve done in the past. This is what they shared:

1. “This year I’m giving up shoes as often as possible. I’ll still wear shoes if I’m doing a work project or if I have to fly on a plane. But I’m going to avoid going to places that require shoes.” – Paul, a Life Teen Missionary
2. “I’m addicted to caffeine so I gave up all drinks but water for Lent two years ago.” – Amanda
3. “Last year I didn’t give up anything for Lent, just added more prayer life. This year I am going to add more prayer life and give up Facebook.” – Josephina
4. “I gave up spoons and forks. I learned to use chopsticks. It was funny for my friends and made it easy to talk about Lent in a way that people were cool with. We laughed a lot.” – Matt
5. “I’ve heard of people giving up their beds for Lent. They slept on the floor or the couch.” – Anna
6. “I fasted for all of Lent one year. 1 meal a day really brings souls to Jesus, especially your own!” – Erika
7. “I’m going to treat my body as a temple of God during lent… everything I read, watch, listen to, eat, drink, do, say, etc…..focusing on being a temple of God.” – Paul
8. “One year for Lent I wrote a letter each day. I made a list of 40 people who have touched my life in one way or another. Each day of Lent, I wrote a person on the list a letter of thanks for how they touched my life and I prayed for that person on that day….it was a WONDERFUL experience!!!” – Patty

There is a lot more to get you thinking at their link.

Saint Paul Seminary School of Theology Info table and session, Feb 20th

From one of our alums, Brandon Wanless:

...I will be visiting St. Mary’s again this coming Monday along with Nancy Utoft, SPSSOD’s Director of Community Relations, to promote the remarkable graduate programs here: Master of Arts in Theology; Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry; and Master of Arts in Religious Education.

...Please feel free to stop by our table in Toner anytime from 9 am until 3 pm. I would love to see you all again and discuss what I am doing here at Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity. Also, we have an informational session setup for 3:30 pm in Toner Room B. You are welcome to attend. Most importantly, if you know of any students in your classes or programs who should consider graduate school, have them stop by or feel free to pass along my e-mail address.

So stop by the table or information session! And if you want Brandon's email, contact any of us in the Theology department.

What's a resume? How do I focus in a job search? What if I don't have a clue what I want to do with this degree?

There are people to help you with these questions!



Circle February 23rd on your calendar!

Lecture tonight! February 7th

Theology majors--did you ever think about obtaining a Medieval and Renaissance Studies Minor? If you are considering grad school and are interested in historical theology, it would be an excellent minor. Minor or not, the lecture tonight is open to everyone...and you may want to check out the last line of the blurb below.

***

“From Humanism to the Humanities: A Book Review”

Richard Tristano, Department of History

Tuesday February 7^th, 7:00, Common Room, 3^rd Floor St. Mary’s Hall

From Humanism to the Humanities: Education and the Liberal Arts in Fifteenth- and Sixteenth-Century Europe by Anthony Grafton and Lisa Jardine, set off quite a controversy when published. The authors chart the transition from Renaissance humanism, which claimed that the liberal arts formed character as well as trained the mind, to the humanities as a curriculum of study whose purpose was to gain social status. In the process the authors challenge many cherished beliefs about the Renaissance and the authenticity of the liberal arts. The presentation will review the essential argument of the authors and then will ask if at Saint Mary’s University we have the goal of the moral education of our students, or if we are in the business of offering education as an investment and an entrée into the power structure.

Retreat opportunities

Many people are going to TEC (Together Encountering Christ retreat) this weekend (or you are on the TEC team!). Prayers and best wishes for a fruitful retreat!

One of the suggestions for the Vineyard experience is to make a discernment retreat. These can be arranged in retreat centers nearby, or perhaps even a busy person's retreat while in class, but discernment is often done best with some silence. To that end...the 2012 Broom Tree four-day silent Ignatian retreats! (Two of those days include travel.)

See more here, including links to typical conferences.

They also have 8 day and 30 day retreats this July, if you are interested in a more intense and lengthy discernment retreat (although you really shouldn't do a 30 day without an 8 day first). See here (left side of webpage, half way down).

The three day silent retreat dates at Broom Tree in South Dakota:

UPCOMING SILENT RETREATS

2012 Women's Ignatian Silent Retreats

February 2-5
March 1-4
May 17-20
June 7-10
August 16-19
September 6-9
October 18-21
November 1-4

2012 Men's Ignatian Silent Retreats

February 16-19
March 15-18
July 19-22
September 20-23