Loyola Marymount University, Campus Ministry
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[edit] LMU Campus Ministry
Loyola Marymount University's Office of Campus Ministry is a vital component to the promotion of the university’s mission and identity. Campus Ministry seeks to accompany all in the LMU community toward becoming more fully alive through transformative experiences of faith.
As old as the University, the Division of Campus Ministry was originally titled University Chaplain, this division became known as Campus Ministry in 1973 with a stipulation that the Director would be a Jesuit. By 1986 this requirement was waived when Sr. Mary Margaret ("Peg") Dolan, R.S.H.M. became the Director.
[edit] Liturgical Ministries
Liturgy comes from the Greek word ‘’’leitourgia’’’ meaning "the work of the people;" and, it is quite literally the work of the students, faculty, staff and members of the greater university community that make worship at Loyola Marymount so meaningful.
There are currently nine lay ministries organized by students and staff: altar servers (acolytes), art and environment, Eucharistic ministers, hospitality, lectors, liturgical movement (sacred dance), music, sacristans, and video ministry. Each ministry shares in shaping the worshiping experience here at LMU.
Individual ministries are coordinated by student leaders, who dedicate time to training and scheduling members of the university faith community as ministers of the Mass and other Catholic liturgies.
[edit] Altar Servers (Acolytes)
Formerly a minor order in the Catholic Church, today any lay man or woman can serve as an altar server. Servers assist with both the sacred mysteries of the Mass and their preparation and clean up. Servers assist the Sacristan whenever possible while anticipating the needs of each presider and liturgical element. Servers are called upon to serve on Sundays, Holy Days, and special feasts periodically throughout the school year. Most of LMU’s acolytes have recently discovered the joy that comes through the service of community in the Mass. No advance experience is necessary.
[edit] Art and Environment
Art and environment play an important role in expressing the meaningfulness of liturgy on a visual level. Ministers serve by dressing the chapels with color, light, living environment, and other elements that enhance the worship experience. Aside from creating and maintaining a constant environment for all masses throughout out the year, some of our larger undertakings include: Advent and Christmas Masses, the Triduum and Easter Masses, and the LMU Baccalaureate Mass.
[edit] Eucharistic Ministers
Extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful. All are welcome to participate as Eucharistic Ministers and no prior experience is required.
[edit] Hospitality
Ministers of hospitality serve by welcoming and ushering members of the community during liturgies. Members of the Belles, Crimson Circle, Gryphon Circle, Ignatians, Sursum Corda, Magis and Marians service organizations serve as ministers of hospitality on a regular basis.
[edit] Lectors
As a lector, you have the task of making God present in the liturgy of the Word for our community. All lectors read at all university liturgies, as well as at several major Archdiocesan liturgies.
[edit] Liturgical Movement (Sacred Movement)
Through liturgical movement we express different parts of the liturgy through gesture, movement, emotions, and images. We welcome you to participate in the Sacred Dance Ensemble, a group that meets weekly to examine the rituals, text, and music for a particular liturgical celebration; and, to explore movement ideas with the intention of composing danced pieces that are prayerful and clear in meaning. The Sacred Dance Ensemble takes part in Sunday liturgies as well as other special events and celebrations throughout the year. Previous dance experience is helpful, but not necessary.
[edit] Music Ministry
Music is a beautiful and powerful way to express the prayers and texts of the Mass. In the chapel choruses, they seek to use the gifts God has blessed us with to add to the worship and prayer of the Mass.
[edit] Sacristans
The sacristans and student sacristans maintain a decades-old tradition as the caretakers of the university chapels. Along with the Head Sacristan, they oversee the day-to-day operations of the chapels and work to meet the liturgical needs of the university community. The service of the sacristan includes preparing all liturgies celebrated at LMU, serving as acolytes and extraordinary ministers when needed, ringing the bells of the clock tower, maintaining all liturgical vessels and vestments, and much more. The student sacristans also dedicate themselves to studying their ministry and the basics of Catholic liturgy. The student sacristans (formerly known as the Sanctuary Society) are the oldest student organization on campus, dating back to the days of St. Vincent’s College in the 1860s.
[edit] Video Ministry
Members of the Video Ministry serve the greater university community by carrying the liturgies of Sacred Heart Chapel to people beyond the campus who wish to share in the worship experience. Completely student organized, the Video Ministry uses student cameramen, sound engineers, directors and producers to broadcast the liturgy to several Los Angeles-area community channels.
[edit] Sacramental Preparation
The mission of Sacramental Preparation is to impel those individuals who choose to participate, and indeed the entire LMU Faith Community, to a conversion of heart, an orientation to prayer, a life of service, and a commitment to proclaim the Word in speech and action. It is a continuous journey into dying and rising in a Spirit-touched community. The Peer Ministry process provides all the baptized of the LMU Faith community with greater opportunities to share their charism to build up the body of Christ. This process goes beyond information to provide efficacious activities through the knowledge and skills useful to communal Christian living are transmitted, acquired and understood. In this way the entire Christian Community is transformed.
All those who participate in these experiences will acquire a deeper understanding of discipleship and the necessity of ongoing conversion. In an atmosphere of openness the participants are guided from within to interpret their life, to discover God's presence, and to be transformed through the Word proclaimed in order to establish a genuine and permanent interpersonal relationship with God and neighbor.
The Confirmation and RCIA programs on campus are facilitated by a group of students, alumni, and staff members known as the CORE Team.
[edit] Christian Life Communities
Christian Life Community (CLC) is a community of diverse people who seek a way of life based on the values of spirituality, community, and service.
Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, CLC strives to foster trusting relationships, find God in all things, and discover our calling in life.
CLC meets weekly in small groups of members to pray, reflect, and discuss issues of life and faith. Its members also gather for campus-wide activities: social events, service projects, prayer, and open conversations about following Jesus in today’s world. It welcome people of all faiths.
Over the course of the last decade, a thriving Christian Life Community has developed at LMU. At the encouragement of Father Jim Erps, “CLC@LMU” began in 1991 with one group that met bi-monthly. Gradually, the organization has grown into a cohesive unit comprised of 45 groups involving over 500 diverse members. Its growth has been fueled by the Spirit’s formation of spirited, dynamic, and fun-loving leaders who embody the CLC Way of Life in a manner that is both attractive and imaginable. Currently, CLC@LMU is shaped by an Executive Council (ExCo) consisting of Program Directors from the Campus Ministry Staff and 9 student council members, 2 student Program Assistants, 65 student Coordinators, 21 adult Guides, activity heads, musicians, and numerous others whose gifts and energy fashion CLC@LMU into the welcoming community of disciples that it is today.
CLC is essentially a group of “friends in the Lord” who come together to support one another, serve their local and world communities, and deepen their own spirituality. CLC seeks to find Christ’s presence in one another, and to discern God’s call in everyday lives. Just as the first disciples were consoled by the Risen Christ learned to be attentive to the will of God, we too are called be open to the many joys, challenges, and gifts that the Spirit offers us as a community of believers the mission to console and reconcile.
[edit] Retreat Programs
LMU’s Retreat Programs are an integral part of Campus Ministry’s work to allow and encourage students to integrate the principles of St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises into their own lived. LMU’s retreats strive to develop the students’ faith individually and communally. LMU offers several retreats throughout the year including the First Year Retreat (for freshmen and transfer students), the Emmaus Retreat (a retreat open to freshmen, sophomore, and junior students), the Senior Retreat, and the Silent Retreat (a four day experience based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola). All of LMU’s retreats are led by current students, alumni, and staff members.
[edit] Social Justice and Community Service
Social Justice & Community Service programs have a way of transforming those who participate. Together we learn about the role we individually and collectively play in promoting a mere just society. Together we mobilize to act in concrete and effective ways to impact public policies that can make a difference in areas such as homelessness, hunger, violence, poverty, and fair trade.
All of our service and justice activities and opportunities are designed by student leaders, with assistance from staff. Student leadership development is a high priority. Theological reflection is a key component in all our community service programs. Reflection—through prayer, discussion and meditation—leads to a greater understanding and integration of the role of service in our lives.
Ultimately we see service and justice as an on-going commitment of lifestyle, a commitment to integrate faith and justice, to live in love with the poor and each other.
The De Colores program allows students to travel to the slums of Tijuana, Mexico and work with the people of that area to improve their community. Other programs include Feed the Hungry (a program for the inner-city homeless), Fright Night (a Halloween event for school students in at risk neighborhoods), and Spring Eggstravaganza (an Easter event for school students in at risk neighborhoods).
[edit] Ecumenical and Interreligious Services
Ecumenical & Interreligious Services welcomes students, faculty, and staff of differing religious denominations and spiritual beliefs. LMU seeks to create a vibrant community of individuals desiring to grow in their individual faith journeys and learn from the diverse faith experiences of others.
In accordance with the university mission to encourage learning, educating the whole person, and the service of faith and the promotion of justice, we serve to meet the spiritual needs to the LMU Community and promote religious understanding.
In partnership with the LMU Jewish Community, the Muslim Students Association, Catholic and various Protestant denominations, Campus Ministry seek to encounter God’s presence through prayer, fellowship and worship services, and spiritual direction.
[edit] Spiritual Direction
Campus Ministry also offers Spiritual Direction to those students interested. Spiritual Direction is an integral part to the spiritual development and growth of the individual as they journey in his or her relationship with God. Spiritual Direction is common to the traditions of the Society of Jesus, Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and Sisters of Saint Joseph.
