Applications are now available for this semester’s Antioch retreat. If you want to take a weekend to get away and experience God, or just need some spiritual refreshment, take the time to fill out an application today. I found myself wondering if I should go last year, and decided to at the last minute.   If you are experiencing any interest at all, talk to someone that has gone on the retreat previously, and ask them about their experience. You will surely receive positive feedback. It’s an amazing thing to get away from campus and be on God’s time as you experience His teachings. It’s a truly wonderful feeling to remove yourself and go through the weekend with no obligations, no schedules, and no worries. If you are even slightly considering this opportunity, you owe it to yourself to explore the opportunity. Feel free to e-mail me if you are unsure whether you want to attend or not at Daniel.Ready@loras.edu.

Antioch will take place Oct. 21 through the Oct. 23. Applications can be found at Campus Ministry and throughout the ACC. Listen to God’s call and take advantage of this glorious opportunity. I’m anxiously awaiting the weekend, and will be praying for all of you!

by Sara Pennebecker

Last week I concluded by posing the questions: How will you spend your time, and what kind of world do you want the next generation to inherit?  This week, I wish to follow up by exploring ways to get involved.

Let me start by saying that I understand how busy a college student’s life can be. At times it can be crazy and hectic, sleep is considered optional, and caffeine is your best friend. Trust me, I get it. Yet, I am going to push you to push yourself. I know many people do not like volunteer work or consider it a burden on your time, but you might be surprised by what you get out of it.

You might make new friends, see the world in a different way, or simply feel better about yourself. Numerous studies have proven that people who volunteer tend to have higher self-esteem, improved sense of well-being, and overall greater sense of achievement. People also tend to feel more connected to their communities, and you never know who you might meet. It could be a future significant other or boss.

So, after you have found your cause, you might find you are asking yourself, “now what?” Now it is time to find a way to dedicate your time or resources to it. Let’s say you are interested in working with youth; the Multicultural Family Center or an after-school tutoring program might be a good place for you. If you are interested in animals, the Dubuque Regional Human Society might be your place. And so on and so forth. You get the picture.

I understand that sometimes a time commitment is physically not possible. That does not mean you cannot get involved. Loras has numerous events that are always looking for volunteers, or consider applying to go on a service trip through Campus Ministry. Join an organization on campus such as Dance Marathon or UNICEF whose efforts work to improve the lives of others.

If these still do not capture your interest, there are still others ways to help. The holiday season is approaching, and there will be numerous food drives, coin drives, and other fundraisers that require little effort on your part to participate in.
And of course, my favorite one: monetary donations. If you are way more fortunate than me, and have disposable income consider donating money to an organization on campus, in town, or on a larger scale. Trust me, you will be well liked because these organizations always are in need of more money.

There are ways for all of us to get involved. Each of us has been given a unique set of talents and personal qualities that are meant to be shared with others. So, stop making excuses and get involved. As Margaret Meade stated, “Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” I challenge you to become one of these people starting right now.

The bugs were relentless.

But surrounded by good people and a cloud of bug spray, first-year students survived the insects and had an enjoyable time at this year’s Fall Welcome Night.
Welcome Night is held each year to help new students continue the process of meeting people and figuring out the different groups they can get involved in. The event is mainly sponsored by the many groups connected to Campus Ministry, along with the College Activities Board and Dance Marathon.
Welcome Night began at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17. First-year students huddled together in carpool groups, anticipating their departure for Eagle Point Park. When they got there, some students had the opportunity to view the Mississippi River at the scenic lookout point at the park. Others played volleyball or Frisbee, and some played on the playground area nearby. Then everyone was called to dinner. As students ate their cookout meal, they conversed with their small group members and leaders, using questions to prompt discussion.
A fun round of competitive group games followed. Students piled on top of one another to be the first to create a human pyramid. Another challenge was to form a star out of everyone’s shoes. When the height-based competition was announced, students began leaping on one another’s backs to be taller than the rest. First-year Daniela Rivera said she enjoyed the human knot activity the best. Sophomore Anna Mangan, who helped lead the small groups, said that these activities were great because they required students to move around and get closer to one another. After these games, there were more opportunities for group discussion. First-year Emily Wosniak said these conversations were one of her favorite parts of the evening.
Afterwards, returning Loras students set up tables that presented their different organizations. New Duhawks could visit tables where members shared information on their group or activity. Booths were set up for all the organizations associated with Campus Ministry. CAB and Dance Marathon also had tables where interested first-years could sign up to join.
A group of Loras students formed a band that provided both entertainment and an opportunity to praise God. A crowd of students danced and sang to the music that reminded some students of their parishes and the retreats they had attended over the years. “I miss these moments,” said Dany Rivera as she reminisced about her parish singing these same songs in Colombia. Other participants related the experience to the national youth conference called “Steubenville” or the retreats held in their local churches. For these reasons it’s obvious why some students thought the praise and worship music was the best part of the night.
The fun evening came to a close with a prayer for peace in recognition of the International Day of Peace held September 21st. Most people felt very at home at the Welcome Night. Both returning and new students expressed their love of Loras while others talked about how much they enjoyed working with campus ministry. “This is my scene,” said junior Zach Little when asked his opinion about the event. He certainly was very much at home in this setting, having served as Youth Minister at Holy Angels Catholic Church for the past two years before coming to Loras. Many students who attended Welcome Night had prior experience with either campus ministry or with retreats through their home parishes. Some plan on continuing work with campus ministry here at Loras. First-year Tony Gates had a great time at Welcome Night and has already gotten involved with the Knights of Columbus on campus. Others signed up for various activities at the booths.
Sophomore Anna Mangan enjoyed helping out with Welcome Night as a returning student and she thought that there was a really good turn out this year. She said that the event was a “great place for first-years to go and to have support from the college and everyone involved in all the activities.” All in all, this year’s Welcome Night was a success.

Monday evening’s atmosphere in Campus Ministry for several calendar weeks were filled with enthusiastic Duhawks diligently preparing for every little moment of a three-day Antioch retreat that was to take place in Placid this past weekend. The Campus Ministry was engulfed with Mass emails, ideas, Palancas, donations, food, talks and prayers – seemed chaotic but permeated with peace and love that was to be shared with the twenty six new participants of the retreat.

photo submitted by Kate Stachowiak

The Antioch weekend finally arrived and the candidates with other team leaders took off to St. John’s Chapel in Placid on Friday night. A quick retrospection recollects a scene of the candidates, trying to avoid the chilly-windy weather, rushing into their indicated rooms with excitement but much anticipation about the whole weekend. “Forever” by Chris Brown tuned into the room as the Antioch team surprised the candidates with mind-blowing dance moves, which immediately evoked a sense of pleasure and happiness of the moment in them, evident from their joy.

Indeed, they did find joy. Starting Friday night until Sunday morning, the candidates experienced different forms of activity kindling involuntary emotional responses, a manifestation of the witness of Christ. Each candidate relatively reacted in different ways; nevertheless, everything led to the focal theme of the retreat- Christ. The Reconciliation brought tears of joy for some while an ingenuous letter with few words of genuine love was powerful enough to break the stone-cold, sinful and stubborn hearts of the others.

It is strange that the love of Christ is so near and easy to find but we often become hyperopic to see them. A simple hug or even the witness of others’ emotional expressions upon the touch of His Love are reflection of Christ’s presence; but a closed-heart, selfishness, jealousy, hatred, laziness or loneliness could blind us of that Love that is desperate to get into our heart.

Antioch Retreat isn’t just one way communication- it mutually impacts the candidate and simultaneously, the team that conducts the program. For some, especially those from team members that once were the candidates, the anticipation is less, it never ceases to benefit from and grow themselves in their faith. The divine touch of the Christ is still felt regardless of the familiarity of the process, and further, it could get even more powerful than ever before. The weekend was a blessing to the candidates with regard to the peaceful time away from the daily school chores, the opportunity to make friendship and most of all, the chance to get closer to God. As for the team, it was simply a blessing to have served the candidates, and to know that our service will have huge positive impact in their lives was just an uplifting.

An open heart of each candidate, prayer from the Chapel team, inspiring small group leaders, spiritually nourishing  talks, awesome kitchen team combined with supportive executive leading organizers are few highlights that contributed to the success of the Retreat. The list goes on with support from faithful donors and ex-candidates volunteering in different ways to serve this semester’s promising candidates. Such teamwork effort definitely fulfills that we can’t stand alone because we are one body in Christ.

by CAROLYN WINDBERG

It raises tens of thousands of dollars, it sends students all over the United States and the world, AND it is covered in green. What is it, you might ask? The 57th annual St. Pat’s Auction, of course! This has been the one of the longest traditions at Loras College. All of their proceeds support the Campus Ministry service trips.

Every year, the thousands of dollars raised go toward the service trip groups that give up their Thanksgiving, winter,
J-Term, and spring breaks in order to serve various communities within and outside the U.S. The donations raised through the St. Pat’s Auction allow students to make the trips to help others. The students on each of these service trips spend a week at their location serving the poor and those in need. The participants do all kinds of work, ranging from the construction of buildings to serving meals and tutoring children.

But more than physical work, the participants show their concern and their desire to become aware of all the different people in need. This year’s groups went to two different sites in Appalachia, New Orleans, Washington, Chicago and Philadelphia. These trips would be unable to occur if it was not for their main fundraiser, the St. Pat’s Auction. The money raised through the auction covers the cost for the volunteers and the service sites to continue their work, many of which are nonprofit organizations.

Unfortunately, due to the recent earthquake in Haiti, our annual service trip to the Louverture Cleary School had to be cancelled. But just because we were physically unable to be helping the people of Haiti at this time doesn’t mean we cannot still provide aid and support. Money has been raised for the Haitian Project, and members of the Haiti service trip will be selling bracelets to benefit Haiti.

More than 100 businesses in Dubuque and the surrounding area have donated items or services for the auction at this year’s event. Some of last year’s most popular items were a selection of guitars, an iPod, delicious desserts from Debbie Gross, and a digital camera. Organizations within Loras also have been known to share in the generosity by donating priceless items to the St. Pat’s Auction, such as the lowest lottery number for on-campus housing, donated by Residence Life; parking permits for the faculty lots, donated by Campus Safety; and several dinners provided by faculty and staff members.

Also, every year there is a raffle, with this year’s winner receiving a Wii and a Wii Fit Plus. We encourage you to buy raffle tickets; one for $1 or six for $5, and we also encourage you to check out the donations that will be at this year’s auction. This year the auction will be held on Friday, March 12. The registration table will be opening at 5:30 p.m. and the auction bidding begins at 6 p.m. Whether you come to have a fun night in the ballroom, to support service trips, to bid on amazing auction items, or to be a part of a greater picture of service to others, make a bid for a cause at the 57th annual St. Pat’s Auction.

Every year around St. Patrick’s Day people start seeing green. But the students involved in the Campus Ministry service trips have  a reason more than just dressing up in the crazy Irish themed outfits. 

The St. Pat’s auction is the main means of fund raising for students going on service trips throughout the academic year. The students going on service trips go out to the faculty, staff and the community to ask for donations that could be auctioned off on St. Pat’s day. Local businesses in this area are are kept in touch through e-mails, phone calls, and visits from these students for donations. The solicitation factor is the most important element in this equation. The students then follow up with these businesses during the month of March. The amount of donations received fully affects the success of the auction and thus the success of the service trips.

The St. Pat’s Auction was around long before Campus Ministry came into view at Loras. Campus ministry’s approach to tying the auction with the service component has made this event popular and successful in the past. The auction creates an environment where one can find entertainment, service, and culture play all at one place. Everyone seems to have a good time while recognizing the tradition of St. Patrick and to raise money to serve the needy.

The materials at auction are always the matters of interest. This year, the auction items range from a pack of cookies to electric guitar with amp to lunch with the president. There are an array of items being auctioned off such as guitars, drums, plates, dressers, futon covers and throw pillows, time with coaches and athletes, dinner with President Collins, paintball session with the Koinania House girls, golf clubs, snuggies, pans of brownies and much more. Raffle is also a part of the event. This year the St. Pat’s Auction is raffling off a Wii, Wii Fit Plus, Wii sports game, and an extra controller. It is an all or nothing raffle which means that it’s all inclusive and one need not worry if they don’t have a Wii for the games .These items were all generously donated by Father Douglas Wathier, a faculty member at Loras.

So, come and check out to buy things of your need and help the students raise money serve to the communities during their service trips. The event will be held this Friday at 6 p.m. with registration starting at 5:30 p.m. There will be grilled cheese sandwiches as well as cheese pizza to accommodate the Lenten spirit of those attending. Besides, green milkshakes and games will keep the green spirit alive for children. You might as well get to see a few of your professors in real world settings outside of class. Pat Sperfslage will continue his reign as auctioneer, and if you’ve never heard this guy go you should come just for that. Support this cause while being entertained. Happy St. Patrick’s!