Welcome to University Ministry

As an integral part of our Catholic Franciscan University, University Ministry and its staff are here to serve and welcome each member of the USF community no matter your faith or religious background. Following the example of our patrons saints Francis and Clare, we challenge students to recognize God’s presence in all things. University Ministry at St. Francis is centered on our four cornerstones of prayer, discipleship, community, and service. All are invited to join in the faith
life of this vibrant community.

A University Ministry Overview

The University Ministry staff strives to serve and welcome each member of the USF community, no matter their faith or religious background. University Ministry is centered on four cornerstones of prayer, discipleship, community, and service. All are invited to join in the vibrant faith life of the University of St. Francis… learn more by watching our video!

University Ministry Programs & Services

Events & Reflections: Advent 2024

ADVENT 2024

Week 2 Reflection: Peace

(December 8-14, 2025)

By Dr. Michael Poradek, Vice President for Mission Integration

Peace
During this week, we traditionally reflect on the theme of peace, and welcoming the “peace of God that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) into our hearts in preparation for Christmas. While we may be tempted to automatically consider peacebuilding to be the role of world leaders or international organizations, the examples of our patrons Sts. Francis and Clare remind us that peace first begins with each of us as individuals, called to serve one another daily in community. Here at USF, we are continually reminded of this example by using St. Francis’ greeting: “Pax et Bonum” or “Peace and All Good”.

As we recognize and welcome Christ’s peace among us each day of Advent, we are further able to respond with gratitude. Through the lens of peace, we become more aware of the goodness which surrounds us and the unity which comes from our relationships, even when faced with the division and conflicts which exist in our world today. “Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

Personal Reflection
How am I being called to role model peacemaking this week? Are there relationships with family, friends, classmates, colleagues, or neighbors in which I am being called to either offer or accept forgiveness to bring about peace and unity? During this busy Finals Week, continue to take some time for reflection and recognize simple opportunities to embrace peace.

Week 1 Reflection: Hope

(December 1-7, 2024)
By Dr. Michael Poradek, Vice President for Mission Integration

This week, the Church celebrates the First Week of Advent. Advent (which comes from the Latin meaning “to come to” or “arrival”) is the brief, four-week season of preparation leading to the celebration of Christmas, often represented by the four candles of the Advent Wreath. Not only do we prepare to celebrate Christ’s incarnation and birth, but we also reflect on both his eventual second coming and his presence to us each and every day as he walks with us on our earthly journey.

Hope

The scripture readings for this First Week focus on “hope” in the face of difficulty and anxiety around us, both personally and in our world. This is especially true during this busy time of the year as we conclude the fall semester here at USF and prepare for the spring semester. And yet, during this season, we are invited to pause, to take time to quiet ourselves, and open our hearts to hope; to find goodness in the created world around us, just as our patrons Sts. Francis and Clare sought to do.

Pope Francis reflected on this theme yesterday: “All of us, in many moments of life, ask ourselves: what can I do to have a light heart, a wakeful heart, a free heart? A heart that does not let itself be crushed by sadness? And sadness is awful, it is awful. Indeed, it can happen that the anxiety, fears and worries about our personal lives or about what is happening in the world today weigh down on us like boulders and throw us into discouragement. If worries weigh down our hearts and induce us to close in on ourselves, Jesus, on the contrary, invites us to lift up our heads, to trust in His love that wants to save us and that draws close to us in every situation of our existence, He asks us to make room for Him in order to find hope again… May this Advent season be a precious opportunity to lift our gaze to Him, who lightens our hearts and sustains us on our way.”

Personal Reflection

What is weighing me down? In the face of difficulty, where can I find hope? What am I being called to let go of during this week and season to make room for hope? What can I do to bring hope to another person this week? Take time for yourself this week to be present during this quiet season. Visit our Motherhouse Chapel or another reflection space; enjoy the gift of rest and reflection.

Mass Schedule & Prayer Spaces

WEEKLY MASS & PRAYER SCHEDULE
Note: Masses on feast days and holy days of obligation will be announced. This schedule will change during school breaks, holidays, and over the summer. Reconciliation is offered by appointment with our chaplain.

Sundays
Mass at 6 p.m. in the St. Joseph Chapel (Motherhouse)

Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays
Mass at 12:15 p.m. in the St. Joseph Chapel (Motherhouse)

Wednesdays
Interfaith Prayer Service at 12:15 p.m. in the Interfaith Prayer Space (Tower Hall 305)

Thursdays
Mass at 12:15 p.m. in the St. Francis of Mary Immaculate Chapel at the St. Clare Campus

PRAYER SPACES

St. Joseph Chapel (Main Campus)
Located on the third floor of the Motherhouse, the St. Joseph Chapel was dedicated in 1893 and originally served as the spiritual home of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, the university’s sponsoring congregation. Today, the chapel is used for university liturgies, prayer, and peaceful reflection. The chapel is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when school is in session.

Interfaith Reflection Space (Main Campus)
This space, directly across the hall from St. Joseph Chapel, is a place for quiet reflection and prayer for people of all faiths.

Tower Hall Chapel (Main Campus)
This small chapel is located on the third floor of Tower Hall.

Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate Chapel (St. Clare Campus)
This cozy chapel is located on the second floor of Guardian Angel Hall.

Peer Ministry

University Ministry is comprised of professional full-time staff and a group of student leaders called Peer Ministers. Peer Ministers’ responsibilities can include organizing programming in residence halls, leading small faith communities, helping to lead retreats, serving as lectors, musicians and Eucharistic Ministers at Mass, planning service projects and much more.

For information on how to become a Peer Minister, contact University Ministry.

Retreats

University Ministry offers two retreats each year. Each semester, students have the opportunity to participate in an overnight retreat offered by University Ministry. Students of all faiths and of no faith at all are welcome to participate in our retreats. Please contact University Ministry.

Service & Mission Trips

During breaks and over the summer, University Ministry offers students the opportunity to serve, learn, and grow through mission experiences. If you would like more information about participating in any of these opportunities, please contact University Ministry.

Winter Break (Philippines)

The University of St. Francis students have the opportunity to join other universities to travel to Bacolod, Philippines. The primary goal of the mission is to build a house with the Gawad Kalinga organization. Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. (GK) is a Philippine-based movement that aims to end poverty for 5 million families. Students who attend also dialogue with local university students and spend time with families in the village.

INTERESTED? Contact University Ministry

Spring Break (Utah)

In collaboration with the Rec Club, students have the opportunity to travel to Utah for a service trip assisting physically challenged students and veterans enjoy skiing and snowboarding.

INTERESTED? Contact University Ministry

Weddings

Alumni and select other friends of St. Francis are eligible to use the St. Joseph Chapel for the celebration of their wedding ceremony. The wedding couple must include at least one alumnus/a and it must be a Catholic wedding ceremony approved by the Diocese of Joliet. If you are interested in getting married in the St. Joseph Chapel, please contact University Ministry.

University Ministry Team

Dr. Michael Poradek
Vice President of Mission Integration
mporadek@stfrancis.edu
815-740-2622

Fr. Michael Jennrich, OFM
Chaplain
mjennrich@stfrancis.edu
815-740-3385

Sr. Gayle Rusbasan, OSF
University Minister
grusbasan@stfrancis.edu
815-740-5074

Additional Links

Bienvenido a la Pastoral universitaria

Como parte integral de nuestra Universidad Católica Franciscana, la Pastoral universitaria y su personal están aquí para servir y dar la bienvenida a cada miembro de la comunidad de la USF sin importar su fe u origen religioso. Siguiendo el ejemplo de nuestros santos patronos Francisco y Clara, retamos a los alumnos a reconocer la presencia de Dios en todas las cosas. La Pastoral universitaria de St. Francis se centra en nuestras cuatro piedras angulares de la oración, el discipulado, la comunidad y el servicio. Todos están invitados a unirse a la vida de fe de esta vibrante comunidad.

Una visión general de la Pastoral universitaria

El personal de la Pastoral universitaria se esfuerza por servir y dar la bienvenida a cada miembro de la comunidad de la USF, independientemente de su fe u origen religioso. La Pastoral universitaria se centra en cuatro pilares: oración, discipulado, comunidad y servicio. Están todos invitados a unirse a la vibrante vida de fe de la Universidad de St. Francis… ¡conozca más viendo nuestro video!

Programas y Servicios de la Pastoral universitaria

Horario de misas y Espacios de oración

HORARIO SEMANAL DE MISAS

Domingo a las 7 p.m. en St. Joseph Chapel
Lunes, martes y viernes a las 12:15 p.m. en St. Joseph Chapel
Servicio de oración interreligiosa del miércoles a las 12:15 p.m. en Tower Hall Chapel
Jueves a las 12:15 p.m. en St. Francis of Mary Immaculate Chapel y en St. Campus Clare
Se anunciarán las misas de los días festivos y de precepto.
El horario variará durante las vacaciones escolares.

Se ofrece Confesión con cita previa con nuestro capellán

ESPACIOS DE ORACIÓN

St. Joseph Chapel (Campus principal)
Situada en la tercera planta de la Casa Madre, la St. Joseph Chapel se inauguró en 1893 y fue el hogar espiritual de las Hermanas de St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, congregación patrocinadora de la universidad. Hoy en día, la capilla se utiliza para liturgias universitarias, oración y reflexión pacífica. La capilla está abierta 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana, cuando hay clases.

Espacio de reflexión interconfesional (Campus principal)
Este espacio, situado justo enfrente de St. Joseph Chapel, es un lugar de reflexión y oración para personas de todas las creencias.

Tower Hall Chapel (Campus principal)
Esta pequeña capilla se encuentra en la tercera planta de Tower Hall.

Hermanas de St. Francis of Mary Immaculate Chapel (St. Clare Campus)
Esta acogedora capilla se encuentra en la segunda planta de Guardian Angel Hall.

Ministerio entre iguales

La Pastoral universitaria está compuesta por personal profesional a tiempo completo y un grupo de líderes estudiantiles llamados Secretarios entre iguales. Las responsabilidades de los Secretarios pueden incluir la organización de programas en las residencias estudiantiles, dirigir pequeñas comunidades de fe, ayudar a dirigir retiros, servir como lectores, músicos y ministros de la Eucaristía en la misa, planificar proyectos de servicio y mucho más.

Para obtener información sobre cómo convertirse en un Secretario entre iguales, póngase en contacto con la Pastoral universitaria.

Retiros

La Pastoral universitaria ofrece dos retiros al año. Cada semestre, los alumnos tienen la oportunidad de participar en un retiro nocturno ofrecido por la Pastoral universitaria. En nuestros retiros pueden participar alumnos de todas las religiones y de ninguna. Por favor, póngase en contacto con la Pastoral universitaria.

Viajes de servicio y misión

Durante las vacaciones y el verano, la Pastoral universitaria ofrece a los alumnos la oportunidad de servir, aprender y crecer a través de experiencias misioneras. Si desea obtener más información sobre la participación en cualquiera de estas oportunidades, póngase en contacto con la Pastoral universitaria.

Vacaciones de invierno (Filipinas)

La Universidad de St. Los alumnos de Francis tienen la oportunidad de unirse a otras universidades para viajar a Bacolod, Filipinas. El objetivo principal de la misión es construir una casa con la organización Gawad Kalinga. Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. (GK) es un movimiento con sede en Filipinas que aspira a acabar con la pobreza de 5 millones de familias. Los alumnos que asisten también dialogan con universitarios locales y pasan tiempo con familias del pueblo.

¿LE INTERESA? Comunicarse con la Pastoral universitaria

Vacaciones de primavera (Utah)

En colaboración con el Rec Club, los alumnos tienen la oportunidad de viajar a Utah para realizar un viaje de servicio ayudando a alumnos y veteranos con discapacidades físicas a disfrutar del esquí y el snowboard.

¿LE INTERESA? Comunicarse con la Pastoral universitaria

Bodas

Los exalumnos y otros amigos selectos de St. Francis se pueden acoger al programa St. Joseph Chapel para la celebración de su ceremonia nupcial. La pareja de novios debe incluir al menos un exalumno/a y debe ser una ceremonia de boda católica aprobada por la Diócesis de Joliet. Si está interesado en casarse en St. Joseph Chapel, póngase en contacto con la Pastoral universitaria.

Equipo de la Pastoral universitaria

Dr. Michael Poradek
Vicepresidente de Misión
Integración y Secretaría
mporadek@stfrancis.edu
815-740-2622

Fr. Michael Jennrich, OFM
Capellán
mjennrich@stfrancis.edu
815-740-3385

Sr. Gayle Rusbasan, OSF
Secretario de Universidad
grusbasan@stfrancis.edu
815-740-5074