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What is it?Urban Immersion is a week-long learning experience in which between 25-30 students spend a seven days living in a hostel in Boston during winter break, actively learning about and participating in the lives of those most affected by the complex social issues of systemic poverty and homelessness. The group spends the week at various outreach programs each day and comes together each evening to hear from speakers and to pray, reflect, and discuss as a group. A Boston College campus minister and another faculty/staff person accompany the group throughout the week. |
Details
This year's trip is January 4-10, 2009. Start planning for it now, and sign up below.
The variety of projects students engage in during the days of the week include working in a foodbank, visitation with guests in one of Boston's shelters, or outreach to local elderly.
During evening seminars, the group studies a variety of urban issues such as racism, homelessness, and theological perspectives on urban life. Various speakers visit to share their ministries with the group. To ground the community in the love and justice of God, each day ends in a communal multi-faith prayer service.
Selection for the program is by lottery. The cost to each participant is $100. The group may choose to raise funds to help pay for those who cannot afford the fee.
The Jesuit Vision
"The mission of the Society of Jesus is the service of faith, of which the promotion of justice is an absolute requirement, for reconciliation with God demands the reconciliation of people with one another." (From the 32nd General Congregation of the Society of Jesus)
What is poverty? Are people poor because they are lazy? How can I help homeless people? Is there a difference between charity and justice? What are the problems and possibilities of urban life today? How do I respond as a person of faith? These are some of the questions that are explored in B.C.'s Urban Immersion program in which students engage in direct service with impoverished people, study some of the many issues confronting city-dwellers, and form a community of prayer and hope with other Urban Immersion students.
Sign UPs for January 2009 are full - thank you!
- Contact Fr. Don with questions below
Questions and more information
Fr. Don MacMillan, S.J.,
Campus Minister
phone: (617) 552-2422
e-mail: macmilld@bc.edu