Service, Spirituality, and Ministry on Campus
Campus Ministry
Students interested in opportunities for prayer, fellowship, worship, and retreats, or in discovering the Catholic liturgy and sacraments at Notre Dame might find information on the Campus Ministry website. Visit Campus Ministry.
Know Your Catholic Faith
In cooperation with the Office of Campus Ministry, the Department offers a series of 1-credit courses entitled "Know your Catholic Faith". Each 1-credit course in the series reflects on a central feature of the Catholic faith, so that students learn what the Church teaches on these topics and gain a basic theological and personal understanding of them. The courses are based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church plus other pertinent texts, supplemented by personal reflection and experiential learning where appropriate. These courses are great for students who know little or nothing about the faith, and for students who are familiar with the faith but want a firmer grasp of Catholic doctrine. For more information contact Lauren Fox in the main office of the Department of Theology (130 Malloy Hall, 574-631-5732)
The Center for Social Concerns
The Center for Social Concerns offers students a wide range of opportunities to put the Gospel into action by serving others in the community and in the world. Programs take place during the academic year, over breaks, and over the summer. Visit the Center for Social Concerns.
Social Concerns Seminars
Through the Department of Theology, the Center for Social Concerns offers a variety of one-credit social concern seminars throughout the year and in academic break periods. The seminars are based on experiential and/or service learning, focusing on issues of poverty, justice, peace, and related concerns. These 1-credit courses are listed at the 30-000-level in Theology. They do not meet either of the University requirements in Theology. For more information on these seminars visit the Center for Social Concerns website.
The Vocation Initiative
How does one live out one's Catholic faith in today's world?
Notre Dame currently administers a four-year initiative that is funded by a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. NDVI stimulates a keener sense of vocation in three main target audiences: the University community, both faculty and students; recent alumni/ae; and, high school students who will be brought to the campus during the summers for structured programs on vocation. In this program, "vocation" refers not only to religious vocation but equally to the life of discipleship to which all Christians are called. Visit the Notre Dame Vocation Initiative (NDVI).
Institute for Church Life
A number of programs are hosted at Notre Dame’s Institute for Church Life, including the vocation initiative described above, but also programs dedicated to improving catechesis in the Church and to building a profound intellectual dialogue on campus regarding the Catholic faith and the world. Visit the Institute for Church Life.
University Life Initiatives
Separate from the student led Right-to-Life club, the office of University Life Initiatives is dedicated to “Fostering a Culture of Life at the University of Notre Dame.” Students who would like to learn more about the office’s activities, or contribute to its work, can visit the website. Visit University Life Initiatives.