Campus Ministry - Worship, Prayer and Spiritual Opportunities

Worship

Catholic Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 11 a.m. (with the exception of Homecoming and Parents Weekends when the mass moves to 10 a.m.—see our calendar for details) in Christ the King Chapel and Sundays at 8:30 p.m. when school is in session . Weekday mass is celebrated Monday through Thursday at 8:00 a.m. when school is in session. A church “bulletin” is provided each Sunday during the school year to announce our weekly schedule as well as upcoming events.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Christ the King Chapel confessional, before and after masses or anytime by appointment with the college chaplain.

Protestant Worship services are held every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. in the Prince of Peace Chapel (second floor of the Herrmann Student Union) when school is in session.

(To confirm specific times and places of all Campus Ministry activities, check our Web calendar)

Retreats

a variety of retreat experiences are offered for students and others throughout the school year, including an opening retreat for new students, a journal retreat, a discernment retreat, a busy-person's retreat, a leadership retreat, and a retreat for graduating seniors. Mercyhurst also connects with other colleges in the Diocese of Erie to do an intercollegiate gathering retreat day, a retreat called “Awakenings” to enhance the participation and leadership of Catholic students and a silent directed retreat.

Bible Study

student led bible study at Mercyhurst challenges students to read and reflect upon sacred scripture together in an interfaith setting for deepening their understanding of God's word while sharing their faith.

Prayer Groups

opportunities for group spiritual growth and development, embracing all faith traditions, are available in a variety of formats throughout the campus.

Rap on Religion

student designed sessions to come together and discuss with team members issues of religious import.

Music Ministry

not just a job, but a vocation to assist through vocal or instrumental performance the worship services and concerts held on campus throughout the year.

Exploring the Catholic faith

opportunities through the RCIA process to either complete one's initiation into the Catholic faith through the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation and/or Eucharist, to come into full communion with the Catholic Church from another Christian denomination or to be fully initiated into the Catholic faith. All are welcome to explore without obligation.

Taize Prayer

held on a regular basis during the school year, an ecumenical prayer form from France that involves chant, scripture reading and silent prayer around the cross.

Praise and Worship

a dynamic devotional prayer form that is student led involving contemporary Christian music and witness.

Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction

both of these spiritually based functions are offered through Campus Ministry by contacting a member of the team directly.

Your suggestions

Adaptability is the key to success in campus ministry today, so we are always open to suggestions, ideas and new programs to assist the spiritual needs of an ever changing student population.

And we offer you this prayer for reflection:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.—Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude