The Catholic Chaplaincy and the Catholic Student Association (CSA) have scheduled a number of events in the coming weeks, including a visit by Albany Roman Catholic Bishop Howard J. Hubbard and Ash Wednesday services.
The Ash Wednesday Catholic liturgy with distribution of ashes is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. in Memorial Chapel. Guest speaker is human rights activist and facilitator Lucrecia Oliva of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Guatemala, who leads the organization’s work in addressing migration, human trafficking and human-rights abuses. Oliva’s visit is part of a U.S. tour to promote Operation Rice Bowl, an annual Lenten initiative that raises millions to support food-security projects in 40 countries.
Lenten simple suppers are scheduled for five Fridays: Feb. 15, 22 and 29, and March 7, and 14, 6-7 p.m. in Hale House at Everest Lounge. Students will have a meatless soup and salad supper and discuss religious and spiritual topics of interest, including why Christians fast during Lent, what Catholic thinking can contribute to greater environmental responsibility and recent Union student participation in the New Orleans community service mini-term.
“Students who come to the dinners are invited to sacrifice the meal swipe for their regular Friday night dinner and donate it to the work of Catholic Relief Services,” said Catholic Chaplain and Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies Thomas P. Boland Jr.
Bishop Hubbard, who has led the Albany diocese since 1977, comes to campus Sunday, Feb. 17, for a dinner and discussion with students, faculty, staff and guests. Afterward, he will preside and preach at the 7:30 p.m. liturgy at St. John the Evangelist Church on Union Street before joining the CSA for its regular post-liturgy social hour in the Breazzano House seminar room.