Service Immersion

Service Immersion Experiences

students on retreats on in service

What are Immersions?

Service immersion trips are key experiences of a transformative Jesuit and Mercy education, rooted in service and social justice. These experiences include opportunities to serve in shelters, soup kitchens, after school projects, urban farms, and many other important community based projects. These experiences also include cultural learning, relationship building, presentations from local community leaders, daily prayer and evening reflection. They offer a life-long path for our students to become “men and women with and for others”, and we believe that these experiences form student leaders who have critical minds and compassionate hearts.

During winter break and spring break, students travel to locations throughout the United States to engage in direct service, immerse in diverse perspectives, local culture and learn about systemic injustice.

 

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    Donate to help support students taking service immersion trips.

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    Four pillars of all service immersion experiences

    • Simplicity – Allows us to reconnect with what is essential, value relationships over things, and hear the voices of others, our inner-selves, and of God. We will live simply during this experience.
    • Social Justice – Investigating and striving to correct the root causes of an injustice by asking why injustices occur and how we can do things to change unjust systems.
    • Solidarity – Our humanity depends on everyone else’s humanity. We are all connected and have a common responsibility for one another.
    • Spirituality – We will spend time engaging with our experiences wholeheartedly, reflecting together, and allowing silence in and listening to where God is guiding us. We will share prayer together and do evening theological reflection together.
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    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Do I have to be Catholic to attend the trip?
      Service Immersion trips are open to students of all faiths and beliefs. While trips will always have a focus in the Jesuit and Mercy values of the 91福利社, University Ministry wants to accommodate students of all backgrounds.

    2. Does University Ministry provide any financial assistance?
      Yes! University Ministry wants to ensure all students are able to attend an immersion trip. Students who need financial assistance are invited to apply for scholarship through the University Ministry Office. Ministry is also happy to host fundraising opportunities or generate payment plans. 

    3. What does the cost of the trip cover?
      Service Immersion trips are all inclusive. While costs for the trips vary, payment covers all transportation, lodging, and meals for the trip. Students are e