Michael Page speaks to the Haitian community of Sassier, Haiti. Dr. Page is an emergency physician from Holland Hospital who organized our nine-person medical team in Haiti in collaboration with Zanmi Sasye.
West Michigan doctors, nurses help Haitians suffering aftermath of earthquake & hurricane.
The Honor Society of Jesuit Institutions of Higher Education IPS congratulates our 2011 inductees.
Thank you, Jewell Gregory, for setting up the Day of the Dead altar in the IPS Lounge!
Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a National Holiday. The celebration takes place on November 1st and 2nd, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.
Jewell explains the several typical characteristics of such an altar:
“ One is that it is generally designed to be on more than one level and that is why we added the rectangular box to the table we used for the altar. The dead appreciate sweet smells, and that is why the bar of Sandlewood scented soap is included. In Mexico, there would probably be fragrant marigolds strewn on the surface, which we represent with the flowers. In Mexico Copal incense might be burned to perfume the air, but lacking that, I used a Native North-American sage smudge of the type used to purify the home instead. In order to avoid setting off the smoke alarm, it was burned very briefly while blessings were said for the altar, for those who respect it, and for the spiritual enrichment to be found in observing the Day of the Dead.
An essential requirement, which is undoubtedly one of the pre-Christian aspects of the altar, is that it contains elements relating to wind, fire, earth and water.
There is a folk art form of delicately cut paper that represents the wind. We have some of these little metallic cut-paper banners near the top of the altar.
Fire is represented by the candles, both the votive candles and the two Our Lady of Guadalupe candles.
Earth is represented by the Day of the Dead bread. There are three different types; one represents a human body, and looks something like a big doll. One represents a baby, placed beside the larger figure. The third is a circular loaf decorated with abstract forms representing human bones. Of course the dead can’t eat the bread, but the fragrance of food nourishes them.
There is a bottle of water in fulfillment of that requirement.
In addition, we have some Milagros or ex votos made of metal representing flaming hearts. These could be interpreted in various ways. Mine is that they represent the ardent love connecting me with the beloved departed I am thinking of most especially as we approach the season of All Saints and All Souls; the Day of the Dead.
In the lighthearted spirit of this feast, and in being a little imaginative with the departed, I have included some humorous cards purchased at the Mexican Fine Arts Museum in Pilsen. There are also two sugar candy skulls, decorated in the traditional manner, placed at the top of the altar. Surrounding the first level is a garland of skeletons, macabre at first glance, but very much in keeping with the Day of the Dead.
I plan to bring some photos of people I am thinking of to place on the altar, and I hope
that others will do so as well. if there are other items people want to add — candies, calavaritas (little skulls) or anything that seems right, they will be welcome additions. It has been satisfying to bring these things together, and a pleasure to think we will all share in it.”
The Center for the Human Rights of Children will host the daylong symposium, “Protecting Children’s Rights Through Multidisciplinary Forensics” this Friday, and the Loyola community is invited to attend. The program seeks to build the capacity of professionals across many disciplines to provide forensic evaluations, professional assessments, written affidavits, subject matter expertise, and expert testimony to advance and protect the human rights of children. Presentations and workshops throughout the day will address how experts in various disciplines can contribute their knowledge and skills to protect children’s rights, and provide the tools necessary to do so.
The following types of cases will be emphasized throughout the day: asylum, child abuse/neglect, human trafficking, unaccompanied minor, special education, high conflict custody cases, and juvenile justice.
The program will be held on November 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Corboy Law Center. As mentioned above, all professionals, scholars, faculty, staff, and students with an interest in children’s rights issues are welcome to attend. Case studies will incorporate the following disciplines: medicine (including nursing and psychiatry), public health, mental health, education, law, social work, history, social justice, anthropology, political science, criminal justice, and specialized study in developing countries/regions. CLEs, CEUs, CNEs, and CPDUs are offered and limited scholarships are available.
Registration is required, as space is limited. Free admission will be provided to Loyola faculty, staff, and students. For more information, and to register, go to http://www.luc.edu/chrc/Forensics_Workshop.shtml
Fr. Brett Hoover, CSP will speak on Comfort, Challenge, and the Good Life, and sign copies of his new book Comfort, An Atlas of the Body and Soul, Monday, November 14, 2011 at 7pm in Regents Hall, 16th floor of Lewis Towers. This event is free and open to the public.
As the days shorten and the nights lengthen, we enter into this season of watching, waiting, and expectant longing. Pushing past the voices of discouragement, we listen intently for that still, small voice of God. Through story, poetry, prayer, evocative images and reflective music, these two gifted preachers of the Word will guide us in a day of spiritual practice – seeing through the darkness into the light of hope.
Retreat directors: Fr. John Cusick, director of the Office of Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago and Fr. Michael Sparough, S.J., the founder of Charis Ministries and a retreat director at the Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House.
The retreat will be on Saturday, December 3, 2011, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM in Regents Hall, 16th floor of Lewis Towers. For fee information and registration see: http://alumni.luc.edu/site/Calendar?id=109724&view=Detail Check-In will begin at 9:00 Event will be held Lunch will be on your own.
On Monday evening, November 14th, former IPS research professor Brett Hoover, addressed a gathering of friends and colleagues as he discussed his latest book, Comfort – An Atlas for the Body and Soul. Brett helped his audience explore the nuances that surround the word “comfort.” Through engaging stories and thoughtful considerations, Brett offered those present insights and reflections on our need for comfort. I left the presentation reflecting not only on my need for comfort but with new insights on how I can offer comfort to others. All there that night agreed, our time spent with Brett was quite “comfortable” indeed.
On behalf of all of us here at IPS, faculty and staff, we extend our most heartfelt wishes for a holy, blessed Christmas, and Hanukkah. As we move through these days of remembrance, may we be blessed with gifts of peace, happiness and joy. May these days of wonder provide you time for reflection as well as giving you time to spend with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming you back in January. May your New Year be bright and full of happiness.
As we move into the new semester, we wanted to remind you that on April 26, 2012, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will return to Chicago. Loyola University Chicago will serve as the host site for his visit. The University is planning a special afternoon program for Loyola students, faculty, staff, and alumni (alums will pay a nominal fee) that will feature an address by the Dalai Lama.
Visit the TIBETcenter’s website at http://www.tibetcenterchicago.org/Home_Page.html for additional information on their event. Details of the Loyola-specific afternoon program, placing a special emphasis on the theme of interfaith collaboration, will be posted on http://luc.edu/ and Inside Loyola in the weeks ahead.
The University’s annual MLK luncheon and keynote lecture, occurring Wednesday, February 1, which will feature poet and civil rights activist Nikki Giovanni. Giovanni has spent her life as a voice for civil rights and equality — issues that resonate with members of the Loyola community who take the University’s mission to heart. In her appearances at Loyola, Giovanni will share her captivating stories and inspire individuals in the audience to embark on their own path toward making a difference.
The MLK luncheon runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Kasbeer Hall at 25 E. Pearson on the Water Tower Campus. Giovanni’s keynote address will occur later that same evening, from 6 to 8 p.m., on the 4th floor of the Klarchek Information Commons at the Lake Shore Campus. Tickets are not required for either event, but space is limited so attendees are advised to arrive early.