Welcome to a Jesuit Institution
From Father Patrick Rogers, S.J.
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Office of Campus Ministry, I’d like to welcome you to the Georgetown family!
As the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit University, Georgetown has a long tradition of nurturing the intellectual and spiritual life of students. In the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis, we are committed to caring for the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. Along with faculty and other colleagues at the University, we strive to help our students integrate learning, faith, and service so that they can become the persons God calls them to be. Respect and reverence for each person and their faith tradition are at the very core of Georgetown’s religious and academic mission.
In Campus Ministry, we offer many opportunities for young people to engage and deepen their faith with programs like retreats and social justice work. We also help our students learn about other faith traditions in a respectful and life-changing way, appreciating differences and finding common bonds.
Our vibrant chaplaincies comprise
Catholic,
Protestant,
Muslim,
Jewish, and
Orthodox Christian ministers. We also support student groups from non-Abrahamic faith traditions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Latter Day Saints, to name just a few.
Fr. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., Campus Ministry’s Executive Director, oversees our ministry on Georgetown’s Main Campus, Medical Center and Law Center. I (Rev. Patrick Rogers, S.J.) serve as Director of the Catholic Chaplaincy, Rev. Bryant Oskvig of the Protestant Chaplaincy, Imam Yahya Hendi of the Muslim Chaplaincy, Rabbi Rachel Gartner of the Jewish Chaplaincy, and Very Rev. Constantine White of the Orthodox Christian Chaplaincy. Each Chaplaincy has a number of student groups that support small prayer groups, religious education programs, international social justice immersion programs, and community service opportunities in Washington DC.
Michelle Siemietkowski is the Director of
Residential Ministry. Chaplains of varied faith traditions live in each residence hall, working directly to enliven the faith lives of our students. They provide programming throughout the academic year, in addition to offering a safe space to relax, unwind, and enjoy themselves in the company of classmates and caring staff. These ministers are also an integral presence during this transitory time, welcoming students with excitement, open arms and a listening ear. They play an important role in Georgetown’s “Safety Net,” a regular meeting of campus professionals who assist students in times of distress by finding appropriate help or services.
One particular program for incoming freshmen is the
ESCAPE First Year Experience. This 24-hour getaway gives incoming freshmen and transfer students the opportunity to reflect on their transition to college while meeting (and having fun with) classmates and upperclassmen. This is a “can’t miss opportunity” for all incoming students. This popular program is finishing up its 21st year and has touched the lives of countless Hoyas for three decades!
The programs listed above are but a small part of all that the Office of Campus Ministry offers to Georgetown students, faculty and staff. If you desire more information, you can find us on the web at:
http://campusministry.georgetown.edu.
We look forward to meeting your son or daughter this coming August and hope to be a part of their Hilltop experience. Please let us know if you have any questions about the services we offer as you prepare your student for their arrival. We’d be more than happy to further discuss our wonderful initiatives and programs.
