To our Beloved Community,
When you come to the door of my apartment in McMahon Hall at Lincoln Center where I and sixteen students have been locked down during the pandemic, you will see the picture of a Ghanaian woman holding a calabash with the words ‘Akwaaba’ printed above the picture. Akwaaba is an important expression in Ghanaian custom which symbolizes acceptance, friendliness and cooperation. ‘Akwaaba,’ which simply means welcome, in some Akan dialects, has become a symbol for expressing hospitality, especially to foreign guests. The vessel she holds will be filled with water or a cold drink which is offered to a visitor whose journey may have been long and difficult. The water becomes a refreshing reminder of friendship and hospitality to one who has made a long and difficult trip.
As we come to the end of the academic year, we know that this year’s journey has been a difficult one. The road has been rough and the destination uncertain. Given the circumstances with the coronavirus pandemic, we have had to face being sequestered at home, not being able to get to the university, online classes, zoom, and a suffering that has been forced on us by the limitation of movement.
As difficult as the current circumstance has been, I see a blessing in disguise in the pandemic we have had to face this past year.
As you know from your Jesuit formation at Fordham, gratitude is an essential element of Jesuit education. Embracing gratitude in the face of adversity is a virtue that requires a heart open to the Divine and ultimately will make us stronger in facing the challenges of life.
Like you, I am uncertain about what the future will hold for the next academic year or for me personally. But in the Jesuit tradition I am grateful. I am grateful that I have been given the time to slow down, rather than running all over the place for things that are not always important. Secondly, I am grateful that I have been given a deeper call to conversion. These last few weeks have been a time for me to reach down deeper and examine my own relationship with God
In his Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius writes: “Give thanks to God our Lord for the benefits received.” God gives the benefits. God gives us family and goodness and love. So when I give thanks for the difficulties and the people in my life for the gifts we share, I am also giving thanks to God who makes all things possible. Akwaaba!
Fr. George Quickley, S.J.
Baccalaureate Mass and University Commencement
Fordham will hold a videocast Baccalaureate Mass on Friday, May 15, and a videocast University Commencement on May 16, when the degrees for the graduates will be officially conferred. We encourage the campus community to join the graduates in watching the videocasts to pray with and celebrate the Class of 2020! Check your Fordham email for details soon!
Prayer Wall
Campus Ministry is offering a virtual Prayer Wall as a special way to come together as one Fordham University community and pray for those seriously affected by COVID-19. Submit your prayer intentions online and these requests will be included at daily Mass offered by the Fordham Jesuit Community.
Fordham University Coronavirus Prayer Wall
Weekly Programming
WEEKDAY MASS at NOON Monday to Friday LIVE at 12:00 p.m. EDT
Fr. Mark and Fr. Lito are alternating presiders.
Sunday Mass, May 3rd
Sunday Mass from Fordham University LIVE 11:00 a.m. EDT
UNIVERSITY CHURCH LIVESTREAM HERE
WFUV FM 90.7 “New York’s Jesuit Radio Station.” Mass is available for 2 weeks after airtime via WFUV Weekend Archives.
Sunday Mass from Bl. Rupert Mayer, S.J. Chapel LIVE 7:30 p.m. EDT
Monday Movement, May 4th
Daily Mass LIVE at 12:00 p.m. EDT
Ignatian Yoga LIVE 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. EDT
Join Ignatian Yoga this week with a deep relaxation and restorative practice. Ignatian Yoga at Fordham weaves the art and practice of movement, reflection, meditation, and spiritual exercise.
Need more Ignatian Yoga? ignatianyoga.com
Tuesday Tea, May 5th
Daily Mass LIVE at 12:00 p.m. EDT
Centering Prayer LIVE 4:00 p.m. EDT
Centering Prayer with Carol Gibney and An Hoang Vu, S.J. Join us for a quiet, 20-minute silent prayer experience.
Journey Together: Stress Relief for Finals Week
Guided meditation about finding companionship and support amidst the busy-ness.
Wednesday Word, May 6th
Daily Mass LIVE at 12:00 p.m. EDT
Women Break Open the Word Reflection
Enter into today’s readings with reflections from women in our community. A new reflection will be posted here each Wednesday. Tune in this Wednesday to hear from Stephanie Roddy!
Stephanie Roddy’s Reflection for May 6th
Check out last week’s Reflection with Vanessa Rotondo from April 29th
Art and Soul Year in Review
Look back on your year and look forward to hopeful next steps with these prompts for creativity inspired by the Ignatian examen! You don’t need any experience, special skills, or fancy art supplies to create something meaningful with this art reflection.
Thankful Thursday, May 7th
Daily Mass LIVE at 12:00 p.m. EDT
Finding Grace in Place LIVE at 1:30 p.m. EDT
Join Campus Ministry with Carol Gibney, Kyle Baker, S.J., and one another for faith sharing, prayer and discussion.
Loyola@Nine. Last Mass LIVE at 9:00 p.m. EDT
Celebrate the Eucharist with Fr. Lito in thanksgiving for the joy experienced and the hope enkindled during Academic Year 2019-2020. Past and present members of Loyola Hall, together with your friends across campus residence halls are welcome to the Ignatius Chapel. Room opens at 8:45 p.m.
Loyola Afterhours Chat LIVE at 9:30 p.m. EDT
Extend the fellowship of friends in the Lord to Loyola-302. Share your joys to double them, share your sorrows to cut them in half. Bring your own favorite snack and beverage.
Fried by Friday?, May 8th
Daily Mass LIVE at 12:00 p.m. EDT
Scripture Reflection with the Catholic Student Fellowship LIVE at 4:00 p.m. EDT
Join LC’s Catholic Student Fellowship to reflect on the upcoming Sunday readings and join one another in conversation, community, and prayer. Students of all schools and campuses welcome.
Friday Reflection
Tune in each Friday for a new meditation to relax, focus, pray, and find calm at the end of your week. This week, join Erin Hoffman for a guided Examen podcast!
Listen to all past reflections on Spotify or iTunes!
Ramadan Continues
Weekly Halaqas with MSA Every Friday LIVE at 5:00 p.m. EDT
Please join Lc and RH Muslim Student Associations as they discuss new Islamic topics virtually on Zoom!
password: 040219
Sunday Mass, May 10th
Sunday Mass LIVE at 11:00 a.m. EDT
UNIVERSITY CHURCH LIVESTREAM HERE
WFUV FM 90.7 “New York’s Jesuit Radio Station.” Mass is available for 2 weeks after airtime via WFUV Weekend Archives.
Monday Movement, May 11th
Daily Mass LIVE at 12:00 p.m. EDT
Ignatian Yoga LIVE 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. EDT
Join Ignatian Yoga this week with a deep relaxation and restorative practice. Ignatian Yoga at Fordham weaves the art and practice of movement, reflection, meditation, and spiritual exercise.
Need more Ignatian Yoga? ignatianyoga.com
Tuesday Tea, May 12th
Daily Mass LIVE at 12:00 p.m. EDT
Centering Prayer LIVE 4:00 p.m. EDT
Centering Prayer with Carol Gibney and An Hoang Vu, S.J. Join us for a quiet, 20-minute silent prayer experience.