Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Courtney Gillett
Asst. Campus News Editor
The start of a new academic year at colleges across the United States is usually characterized by orientation programs, move-in days, goodbyes to family and friends and the task of making sure that you are registered for all classes.
However, like most Jesuit universities, Xavier marks the beginning of the new semester with a Mass called the Spirit Celebration. This, according to Fr. Darryl Burns, a campus priest, is to generate a sense of community among the students, faculty and staff at the university. More importantly however, the Spirit Celebration is a chance for the entire community to seek God’s guidance and blessing.
When asked about the conflict some people see in mixing conventional Catholic tradition with liberal views presented in courses such as philosophy, Fr. Burns dismissed the skeptics. “The Spirit Celebration has [demonstrated that the university] has moved above all that,” he said.
Indeed, the service is part of the university’s aim to develop, “intellectual skills for both a full life in the human community and service in the Kingdom of God; critical attention to the underlying philosophical and theological implications of the issues; a worldview that is oriented to responsible action and recognizes the intrinsic value of the natural and human values; an understanding and communication of the moral and religious values through personal concern and lived witness, as well as by precept of instruction; and a sense of the whole person, body, mind and spirit.”
With this in mind, Xavier’s campus ministry department has organized numerous activities, retreats and student organizations to assist in moving the notion of unity and service from the Spirit Celebration at the start of the year into practice throughout the year.
Deanna Martin is a campus minister who is currently organizing the Koinonia Retreat, which is scheduled sometime in the latter part of this semester. “Koinonia” is a Greek word meaning “community.” Martin’s primary focus is to get students motivated and willing to serve, reciprocating whatever love or kindness has been shown to them.
“My main goal is to empower students to do good works and use their gifts to respond to the love that they’ve received. To build a community, students need to be given an opportunity to serve,” she said.
The idea of service is no easy act to follow, but Martin suggests that within the programs they have organized on campus, one should leave with a deeper sense of commitment to those around them.
Presently, there are 26 student-led groups made up of 10 to 12 students who meet every week, focusing on prayer, reflection and sharing.
In assessing the outcome of the university and campus ministry’s goal to generate a level of action and awareness of issues in society, Fr. Burns suggests that both entities have been generally successful. However, more could be done if there was more student participation.
The Spirit Celebration will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday on the residential mall. There will be a Mass followed by a family picnic.
Aug. 29, 10:00 p.m.—A student reported the theft of his All Card and room keys from the library at closing time.
Aug. 30—Campus Police received several reports of a suspect identified as Richard McMillan, a male around 40 years of age. He is approximately 5’8” and is of muscular build, bald and weighs around 200 lbs. He has been seen driving a 1993 red Dodge pickup truck, with Ohio plate number DWW6425.
On eight to 10 occasions, he has approached students, as well as some members of the staff and faculty, soliciting donations to get his vehicle out of the impound lot. He then promises his victims that he will reimburse them, which he has not done. Campus Police wishes to remind all members of the Xavier community to be on the alert, and not to support any such solicitations.
Aug. 30—During the past week, Campus Police, Cincinnati Police and Norwood Police have received four burglary reports from residences in the Dana and Cleneay Avenue areas. Campus Police reminds students to keep residences locked at all times and to safeguard valuables from any possible theft.
Sept. 3, 12:30 a.m.—Campus Police assisted the Elmwood Police Department in returning an underage, intoxicated student to a residence hall on campus.
Sept. 4, 10:10 a.m.—An officer on patrol discovered the water fountain near Albers Hall overflowing with soap-suds.
Sept. 4, 5:20 a.m.—Two non-students sleeping in a vehicle in the C-1 parking lot were cited with a Field Investigation Report (F.I.R.).
Sept. 4, 5:37 a.m.—A non-student was found wandering outside near the residence halls. The subject was cited with an F.I.R. and escorted off campus.
Police Note of the Week
Sept. 4, 6:00 a.m.—An officer on patrol discovered a student sleeping in the bushes in front of GSC. The student was cited for underage consumption and escorted back to a residence hall.
On Monday, the fifth anniversary of September 11, two Xavier alumni who were in the World Trade Center will be sharing their experiences from 6:30-8 p.m. in Kelley Auditorium. Then, a candlelight vigil will take place on the greenspace 8:30 p.m.-midnight. Following this, the documentary “9/11” will be shown in the GSC Theater. All events are free and open to the public. Contact Cate Guentter at 745-3534 for more information.
Weight Watchers
The Xavier Weight Watchers group will resume its sessions this semester. A 12-week session with a minimum of 15 paid members costs $156, and a 17-week session with a minimum of 20 paid members costs $186. Contact Donna Conlon at 745-3658.
SCC
Students Committed to Christ is inviting all students interested in studying the Word of God to attend their weekly Tuesday/Thursday meetings at 7 p.m. Meetings start on Tuesday in GSC room 336. For more information, contact Janell Sterrett at 216-906-4212 or sterretj@xavier.edu
BSA Meeting
The Black Student Association will be holding their first general meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Albers 103. Their theme is “Uniting Students to Push the Limits.”
Memorial Mass
A memorial Mass for Robert Baumiller, S.J., Ph.D., will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18 at Bellarmine Chapel located on Xavier University’s campus.
Fr. Baumiller was associate dean for the university’s health education programs. He passed away on Thursday, July 13 following heart surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was 75 years old.
During his 10 years at Xavier, Fr. Baumiller was a professor of biology and philosophy and chair of Xavier’s Institutional Review board. He also served on numerous committees and boards in the broader genetics and bioethics community.
For more information about the memorial Mass, contact John LaRocca, S.J., Jesuit community rector, at larocca@xavier.edu.