Mission Week wordmark

1. Limited tickets still available for Mission Week keynote tomorrow

Immaculée Ilibagiza, who was a 23-year-old engineering student when the Rwandan genocide began in 1994, will deliver the keynote, "Forgiving the Unforgivable," at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the AMU, Monaghan Ballroom. Her personal story of the Rwandan genocide reflects a depth of suffering beyond what most people will ever experience. Yet, in the midst of losing nearly everyone dear to her and being threatened to the point of death, she now stands as beacon of forgiveness of others.

Limited tickets are available to faculty, staff and students, and can be picked up in the AMU, Brooks Lounge. A reception and book signing will follow the keynote address.

This year's Mission Week theme cuts to the core of the human experience. The ability to forgive after tragic events affects individuals' spiritual, psychological and social development in profound ways. Mission Week 2014 will examine the theme of forgiveness in many forms, from the interpersonal to the international. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the Mission Week 2014 website.

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2. Lecture to focus on Christian forgiveness

Rev. James Voiss, S.J., will deliver "Rethinking Christian Forgiveness: Theological, Philosophical, and Psychological Explorations," Monday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. in the AMU, Monaghan Ballroom. Sometimes what individuals think they know about forgiveness is just one part of the picture. Father Voiss will draw on multiple disciplines and perspectives to think creatively about forgiveness and how a changed perception might allow individuals to become more forgiving people.

This event is sponsored by Alpha Sigma Nu. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the Mission Week 2014 website.

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3. Morning prayer will be held every day during Mission Week

Begin each day of Mission Week with a brief interfaith prayer experience, focusing on one dimension of forgiveness. Morning prayer will be held from 8:10 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in the AMU, Chapel of the Holy Family, each day of Mission Week. The daily morning prayer for tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 4, "Forgiveness Within Our Families," is co-sponsored by the Department of Social and Cultural Sciences and Campus Ministry.

The St. John's Bible will be on display during the week, as a source of reflection and inspiration. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the Mission Week 2014 website.

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4. Next book discussion on The Sunflower will be held tomorrow

The Marquette community is encouraged to read The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness, which includes responses from 53 women and men from around the world who have, in one way or another, wrestled with the dilemma of whether or not to forgive others. Some of the individuals featured are notable global figures and others are anonymous victims of war and injustice.

A series of book discussions will be held throughout Mission Week. The next book discussion will be held Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Raynor Memorial Libraries' Beaumier Suites, and is sponsored by Raynor Memorial Libraries.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the Mission Week 2014 website.

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5. Videos and projects related to forgiveness on display throughout Mission Week

The Faber Center will offer "Jesuit Voices, a series of video reflections by members of the Jesuit community on what Marquette's mission means to them and the value of Ignatian spirituality for people today.

An exhibit of The Forgiveness Project, which works at a local, national, and international level to help build a future free of conflict and violence by healing the wounds of the past, will be on display in the AMU, second floor rotunda. The traveling photo exhibit, "The f Word: Images of Forgiveness," tells the stories of people whose lives have been shattered by violence, tragedy and injustice and who are learning to forgive, reconcile or move on.

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6. Join Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee for networking event with area leaders

Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee and CIRCLES will present a networking event, "Conexiones," Thursday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m. in Zilber Hall. Roundtable discussions will follow the networking portion of the event. Roundtable topics include:

  • "Philanthropy: What it Means for Your Career and Your Community," led by Deanna Singh, executive director of The Burke Foundation

  • "Growing Your Dreams: Entrepreneurship in Milwaukee," led by James Pucci and Todd Duval, district sales managers at American Family Insurance

  • "Race, Age, Income and Education: How Does Milwaukee Measure Up?," led by Theresa Beaumier, research assistant for community partnerships at The Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and Rafael J. Acevedo, Jr., senior donor services officer at The Greater Milwaukee Foundation

  • "New Trends in Marketing," led by Rev. Nicholas Santos, S.J., assistant professor of marketing

  • "Preparing for Your Financial Future," led by Jamie Delgadillo, Bus Ad '96, financial adviser at Northwestern Mutual

  • Are you truly a leader in your community? A conversation for students," led by Christine Hill, executive director of Future Milwaukee

Register online by Monday, Feb. 10.

For additional information, contact Kelli Rael, senior engagement officer in University Advancement, at (414) 288-6586.

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7. Libraries hosting information sessions on using RefWorks for bibliographic citations

Raynor Memorial Libraries will offer various information sessions to teach students about the bibliographic management and citation tool, RefWorks. RefWorks allows students to export references from article databases, create bibliographies and generate in-text citations. The sessions will take place in Raynor Memorial Libraries, 227, on the following dates:

  • Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

To register, contact Rose Trupiano, librarian, at (414) 288-5998.

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8. Yale professor to deliver lecture at this week's Department of Chemistry colloquium

The Department of Chemistry will hold a colloquium Friday, Feb. 7, at 4 p.m. in Wehr Chemistry, 121. Dr. Gary Brudvig, professor of chemistry at Yale University, will present, "Water Oxidation Chemistry of Photosystem II and Artificial Systems." Refreshments will be served at 3:45 p.m. in Wehr Chemistry, 121.

For additional information, contact the Department of Chemistry at (414) 288-3515.

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9. Mission Week daily reflection: Forgiveness of ourselves

Each day of Mission Week, Dr. Michael Dante, director of the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality, will offer a reflection to echo the theme of the morning prayer. The Faber Center has also developed video reflections for the campus community, which are available on the Faber Center website.

As the campus community begins Mission Week 2014, Dante explores the freedom that comes from forgiving ourselves:


The psychiatrist and author M. Scott Peck has a line that has stayed with me for many years. Paraphrased it says, "The truth will set you free, but you will be mad as hell first." This saying seems apt as we think about the topic of forgiveness of self. There are times of life, when we are confronted with the truth of who we are and how we have acted. It may happen during a retreat, a quiet afternoon of solitude, attending a worship service, or a frank conversation with a friend or colleague. No matter how it happens, the person we believed we are no longer matches what we are seeing. We come to know the ways in which we were not kind, acted in petty, small, and self-absorbed ways. We may realize how our agenda steamrolled over others people and their ideas. In effect, we come face-to-face with the reality of sin in our lives.

This encounter is often hard to experience but, with an open heart and mind, such experiences can be liberating and life giving. How? First, we come to realize we cannot forgive ourselves alone. We may try and give ourselves a pep-talk, but those strong emotions of guilt or feeling embarrassed don't leave us so easily. These moments of truth telling require, instead, a deep and profound encounter with Love. As we come to experience the love of God, we slowly come to realize that even our less noble qualities, actions, and attitudes are both known and accepted. God sees our limitations and liabilities and still remains with us. This profound experience of acceptance and mercy is powerful. The judgment we expect to receive is not given. Rather, we are embraced and enveloped by love. This love is not a "free pass." Rather this encounter with love is a heart-breaking moment of transformation. It gives us the freedom also to love, accept, and forgive ourselves. We are able to acknowledge our failing and move forward in hope. So, it is precisely in the encounter with Divine Love that we come to know the truth of who we are and are led to an even deeper reality of forgiveness and freedom.

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