Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry is here to engage with you on the spiritual and religious journey. Together we will pray, study, share our faith, express our doubts, and encourage each others' growth and transformation.
Together, we will learn how to be an expression of God's mercy in the world. We will express that mercy in working for justice and building a loving community. Our justice ministries will be grounded in Catholic Social Teaching and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our core ministries will facilitate the fulfillment of our vision.
Grounded in the Catholic faith and immersed in the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy, Campus Ministry seeks to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ while also affirming and supporting the faith journeys of the diversity of faith traditions represented at Saint Xavier University.
All are welcome, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, abilities, age, sexual orientations, nationality, or immigration status. We're here for you!
Meet the Campus Ministry Team
Campus Ministry Events
Silent Prayer in the Chapel
November 28
Praying with Song in the Chapel
November 29
Christian Prayer in the Chapel
December 02
Praying with the Scriptures
December 03
Mass and Prayer
- Monday: Noon to 12:15 p.m. Christian Prayer in McDonough Chapel
- Tuesday: Noon to 12:15 p.m. Praying with the Scriptures in McDonough Chapel
- Wednesday: Noon to 12:30 p.m. Mass in McDonough Chapel
- Thursday: Noon to 12:15 p.m. Silent Prayer in McDonough Chapel
- Friday: Noon to 12:15 p.m. Praying with Music in McDonough Chapel
- Saturday: McDonough Chapel Closed
- Sunday: 7 to 8 p.m. Mass in McDonough Chapel
McDonough Chapel is open for private prayer Monday to Friday, 9 a.m to 4 p.m.
Muslim Prayer Space is located in the Warde Academic Center in L-307.
Pastoral Support
If you would like someone to talk to about a struggle in faith or if you feel a longing to have someone to pray with, please contact Br. Alberto Varona at varonaFREESXU or Karen Soos at soosFREESXU for pastoral support.
Fellowship
The Chosen Watch Party!
Snacks Included
Season 1: Mondays, 4 to 5 p.m., Rubloff Hall, Suite 110
Season 3: Fridays, noon to 1 p.m., Rubloff Hall, Suite 110
Game Night
Dinner Included
Tuesday, September 10 from 5 to 7 p.m., Rubloff Hall, Suite 110
Movie Night
Dinner Included
Tuesday, November 19 from 5 to 7 p.m., Rubloff Hall, Suite 110
Faith Formation Groups
Campus Ministry is always engaged in the discussion of faith-themed topics in support our growth and transformation. These groups can be comprised of students, faculty and/or staff. In fall 2024, we will have three Faith Formation Groups:
- Bible Study
- Wisdom of the World Religions
- Catholicism: What We Believe
To join a group, please complete the Faith Formation Group Form.
Faith Feast Dinners
Campus Ministry is always engaged in faith-sharing conversations. At least once each semester, we will gather a small confidential group to pray, bless food, share our thoughts and hearts with each other, and eat a delicious meal that we provide.
Join us on Tuesday, October 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. Please complete the Faith Feast Form to sign up.
Prayer Ministry
If you are an SXU student, staff or faculty member, or a part of our worshiping community at McDonough Chapel, we are available to pray for you and your loved ones. Tell us the name of the person needing healing or the person who you would like us to remember, and we will pray for them at several of our next prayer gatherings and masses.
We have two additional offerings for you:
- Prayer Card (Mass Card): For no charge, we will print a card that says the name of the person being prayed for and the people who asked for this prayer. The card can be picked up in person or shipped ($5 donation asked). If you would like this card placed in an embossed SXU holder, we have a linen folder or a faux leather binder that we can provide. For these, we ask for a donation of $15 (linen) or $25 (faux leather).
- Prayer Blanket: In the case of the serious illness or death of a Saint Xavier University student, staff, faculty or board member, or their immediate family, we offer the opportunity to request a prayer blanket. This simple yet lovely fleece blanket is created and prayed over by our ministers, students, staff and worshiping community. Each blanket carries with it the prayers of over 30 SXU community members and a knot will be tied on the fringe for each prayer made. For this prayer blanket, we ask for a donation of $50. It can be picked up in person or shipped ($5 donation asked).
Please complete the Prayer Request Form and we will get back to you very soon.
Retreats
Weekend Retreat: Beginning on Friday evening and ending on Sunday morning, these retreats offer a group of 10 to 12 people an opportunity to reflect on a particular faith topic, share their thoughts and heart with other retreatants, share meals, and just rest. These retreats will require a small financial contribution ($50) to reserve a spot, but the majority of room and board is covered by Campus Ministry. This semester, please join us for:
Becoming Disciples of Jesus and Followers of the Way: November 8-10 at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, Illinois. To join the retreat, please complete the Retreat Fall 2024 Form.
Field Trip: National Shrine of Therese of Lisieux in Darien, Illinois on Thursday, September 26. The trip will include a tour of the museum, prayer, lunch and free time to wander the beautiful grounds and gift shop. A shuttle will leave SXU at 9 a.m. This will be a time of reflection, deep discussion, fellowship, prayer, eating and rest. A $10 deposit reserves your spot and is not refundable. The rest is paid for by Campus Ministry. The trip will end with our return to SXU at 2:30 p.m. Please complete the Field Trip Interest Form.
Busy Person's Retreat: This retreat allows people whose schedules are very full to reflect on some basic faith themes while meeting with a professional spiritual companion 3 to 4 times in the week at no charge to the retreatant. In 2025, the Busy Person's Retreat will begin with Mass on Monday, February 24, until Thursday, February 28. To participate in this retreat, please complete the Busy Person's Retreat Form.
Spring Break Service Trip: The Spring Break Service Trip to Jerusalem Farm in Kansas City, Missouri, will be Sunday, March 9, to Saturday, March 15, 2025. This trip offers students the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zones and do service to and with the local community. A group of five students, accompanied by a staff companion, will travel to spend several days living simply in community, providing daily service to those in need, and reflecting on the causes of poverty and the deeper meaning of Christian service.
Campus Ministry also offers other local opportunities to serve throughout spring break. Students, staff, and faculty, can join a group for a half-day service trip to a Chicago-area nonprofit to volunteer. The service sites vary each year based on local need and interest of students.
To participate in the trip or inquire about local service, please complete the Spring Break Service and Trip Form.
Karen Soos
Asst. Dir. of Campus Ministry
Phone: 773-298-3832
Email: soos@sxu.edu
Alberto Varona
Director - Campus Ministry
Phone: 773-298-3124
Email: varona@sxu.edu