UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Garaventa Center

Why Theology Needs Marie Kondo, Feb. 11

All are invited to the next installment in the popular “Why Theology Needs…” series from the Beckman Humor Project on Tuesday, February 11, at 7:15 p.m., in the Brian Doyle Auditorium (DB 004). Senior theology major  Andrew Plasker will explore Marie Kondo’s methodology for “tidying up” and how her attitudes toward cleaning can enrich spiritual practices and help us look at our faiths in new ways.

For ADA accommodations or more information contact the Garaventa Center at x7702 or garaventa@up.edu, or visit up.edu/beckmanhumor.

TLC From The TLC: Brown Bag Session on Feb. 12

In the fog of the semester, we all can use some small teaching interventions to refresh our work with students. Join Lars Larson and Jeffrey White at this TLC brown bag event on Wednesday, February 12, 11:30-12:15, in the Murphy Room as they present ten suggestions for intentional teaching drawn from a variety of practitioners and researchers in teaching and learning.

For more information contact Karen Eifler, Garaventa Center, at eifler@up.edu.

Thirst Friday: Celebrate Our Neighbors to the North, Feb. 7

Celebrate all things Canadian at the next Thirst Friday, February 7, from 4-6 p.m., in the Garaventa Center (Franz 330). All faculty and staff are invited to enjoy Canadian-themed treats along with a generous selection of additional appetizers and goodies as you mingle with campus neighbors. Bonus: the first 18 people will qualify for an authentic Canadian beverage! For more information, contact Karen Eifler, Garaventa Center, at eifler@up.edu, eh?

 

 

“The Undertaking,” Pomerleau Concert Series, Feb. 5

“The Undertaking,” part of the Rev. Claude Pomerleau Memorial Concert Series, will take place on Wednesday, February 5, at 7 p.m., in Hunt Center Recital Hall. A reception will follow.

An aging mother’s health teeters on the brink. Her adult daughter scrambles to find footing as her role shifts from child to authority figure. Death pounds at the door and they both wonder, “Could someone this ticked off actually be dying?” Through an interdisciplinary blend of music, movement, and theatrical storytelling, “The Undertaking” uses actor/dancers to portray the end-of-life care of an elder using Dmitri Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2, played live by local music ensemble Northwest Piano Trio.

Featuring UP alumna Hannah Hillebrand ’05 and music faculty member Susan McDaniel, and directed by UP faculty/alumna Jessica Wallenfels, this performance is free to the UP community. Co-sponsored by the Garaventa Center, the Beckman Humor Project, the Fr. Claude Pomerleau Memorial Concert Series, the School of Nursing, and the Performing and Fine Arts Department. For ADA accommodations or more information contact Wallenfels at wallenfe@up.edu.

Thirst Friday: Celebrate Our Neighbors to the North, Feb. 7

Celebrate all things Canadian at the next Thirst Friday, February 7, from 4-6 p.m., in the Garaventa Center (Franz 330). All faculty and staff are invited to enjoy Canadian-themed treats along with a generous selection of additional appetizers and goodies as you mingle with campus neighbors. Bonus: the first 18 people will qualify for an authentic Canadian beverage! For more information, contact Karen Eifler, Garaventa Center, at eifler@up.edu, eh?

Free Showing of New Hesburgh Documentary, Jan. 29

On Wednesday, January 29, all are invited to a free showing of Hesburgh at 7:15 p.m. in the Brian Doyle Auditorium. Fr. Ted Hesburgh, C.S.C., a Holy Cross priest and long-time president of the University of Notre Dame, was one of the most important religious figures of his time. This highly regarded new documentary affords insight into his extraordinarily effective leadership in the causes of peace and equal rights for all people. Co-sponsored by the Garaventa Center and the Notre Dame Club of Portland.

For ADA accommodations or more information contact the Garaventa Center at x7702 or garaventa@up.edu.

Advent Visio Divina: A Time of Peaceful Quiet

All members of the community are invited to step aside from holiday madness for 25 minutes of a silent prayer form known as Visio Divina, “sacred seeing,” in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher following the noon Mass, about 12:35-1 p.m., on Thursday, December 12. This ancient contemplative form of prayer asks only our quiet presence as we are guided through an experience of a sacred image from our illuminated Saint John’s Bible. Sponsored by the Office of Campus Ministry and the Garaventa Center. Contact Karen Eifler (eifler@up.edu) with any questions.

Thirst Friday: Christmas Edition, Dec. 6

All staff and faculty are invited to celebrate Thirst Friday in the Garaventa Center on December 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. Along with the usual convivial mingling with colleagues from all over campus, enjoy a live jazz ensemble and a tasting menu of “Only At Christmas” noshes, crafted by several members of the campus community. Come for 10 minutes are stay till the lights are turned off, but do come! 17 extra credit points for anyone who brings a first-timer. Questions? Contact Karen Eifler, eifler@up.edu.

 

Did You Know? The Meaning of the Advent Season

Many people may know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and think that it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent.

The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus, his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, and his first miracle at Cana. During this season of preparation, early Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.

By the 6th century, however, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas. More on the “anticipation” part of modern Advent practices in a future Did You Know segment.

“Did You Know?” is a mostly regular feature in upbeat in which dimensions of Catholic practices of faith are unpacked. If you have a question, please contact Fr. Jim Gallagher (gallaghe@up.edu) or Karen Eifler (eifler@up.edu).

Candle Grotto in the Marian Garden: Did You Know?

Did you know about the new candle grotto in the Marian Garden?

It is a long standing tradition in Catholic, as well as other religious traditions, to light a candle as a physical representation of one’s prayers. For many years though, the UP campus did not have a regular place to practice this tradition. That is until just recently when a new candle grotto was installed, dedicated, and blessed in the Marian Garden next to the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. The new space was crafted out of cedar, brass, and copper by two local sculptors and will now provide a space for members of the campus community to go at any time of the day or year to light a candle.  A purple candle will always be lit and in place, representing our prayers for the whole of the University of Portland community.

For Christians, the tradition of lighting a candle is closely linked to the idea that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. At the Easter Vigil, a large candle is lit in the darkness of the opening of the Mass. It is a representation of the wonder of the light of Christ entering into our world. From that candle, all of the baptized light their own candles noting that the light of Christ has come to dwell in them. Situating our candle grotto in close proximity to the statue of Mary in the garden next to the Chapel is a reminder that the light of Christ came into the world through Mary. That light continues to break forth upon the world through each of us and our prayers. We draw close to the Blessed Mother, Mary, as we offer our prayers knowing that through her intercession and witness that light grows in the world this day.  

“Did You Know?” is a mostly weekly feature in upbeat that pokes around among the many interesting features of UP as a Catholic and Holy Cross university. If you have a question or topic of interest that you would like covered in this feature, please send it to Fr. Jim Gallagher, C.S.C., Campus Ministry, or Karen Eifler, Garaventa Center.