Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality | Fall 2024 Newsletter

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THE MURPHY CENTER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF MISSION AND MINISTRY

Retreats and Programming for Fall 2024

The Murphy Center, founded in 2014, is celebrating 10 years of opportunities to deepen one’s prayer life and find God in all things The graces of our ministry and mission encourage participants to discern how and where God might be inviting greater openness to growth; leading to an increase in faith, hope and love All are welcome!

Monthly Spiritual Direction - An ongoing invitation for people of all faith backgrounds to continue your prayer journey and discover where and how God is inviting you All seekers welcome – no religious background necessary

Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL) - This 32-week adaptation of the Spiritual Exercises begins in September and ends in May with participants committing to daily prayer, monthly meetings with other participants, and frequent meetings with a Spiritual Director who will act as a guide through the Spiritual Exercises

Ten-Week Ignatian Encounter - Once a week for ten weeks, this one-on-one prayer journey walking with a trained spiritual director is available to students who are interested in deepening their relationship with God No prior experience with Ignatian spirituality is necessary

Aging With Grace - Open to retirees of all faiths, Aging with Grace meets weekly on zoom beginning September 18 Assigned readings and personal reflection guide participants through an exploration of the spiritual dynamics of growing older Participants will be asked to purchase The Wisdom of Tenderness by Brennan Manning Registration fee for this program is $40 To register by mail, contact NMigacz@fairfield edu

Men’s Spirituality Group - The Men’s Spirituality Group meets monthly on Saturday mornings at MCIS Those gathered, spend time reflecting upon a piece of scripture and then sharing how it is reflected in their lives

Advent Retreat for Women - Mark your calendar! The Women’s Advent Retreat is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Registration information will be sent out in early November

Advent Reflections – You are invited to join our online Advent Reflection series beginning the first Sunday of Advent These audio reflections are free and open to faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep More information and registration will be sent out in November

AMDG Retreat - MCIS offers a three day silent retreat, February 28-March 2, 2025 held at Mercy by the Sea in Madison, CT A limited number of spaces are available for faculty, staff and students The retreat includes daily meetings with a spiritual director and presentations of key aspects of Ignatian Spirituality Please contact MCIS to register

For more information and to register for programs, email mcis@fairfield edu

The Center sees close to 500 people monthly for spiritual direction

The Murphy Center is located in a building that formerly housed the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, a religious order fairfield.edu/map 1 2 3

Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality @murphycenterfairfieldu

The Center leads over 500 student athletes facilitating 20 retreats every year for every team

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality As I look back over my eight years with the Murphy Center, one word comes to mind: GRACE Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner, S J defines grace as God’s gift of God’s very being freely given to us Through grace, we participate in the very heart of God That is what I witness day in and day out Seekers coming to the Murphy Center for spiritual direction and spiritual programming who encounter the gentle touch of the living God in their lives In this process, the seekers deepen their relationship with God and become more free to love those that they encounter in their day-to-day lives To witness this transformation is a huge blessing for the staff of the Murphy Center and our spiritual directors Thank you to all who have come seeking to deepen their relationship with God You are a gift to us and God delights in you! Peace,

MEET THE JESUITS

THREE QUESTIONS FOR... Rev Brendan Coffey, S J , English and Theology Teacher, Fairfield Preparatory School

What have I done for Christ?

BeforeenteringtheSocietyofJesusin2015,IwasahighschoolEnglishteacheratmyalma mater,St Joseph’sPrepinPhiladelphia,thenatSt AugustineHighSchoolinSanDiegoand RegisHighSchoolinNYC AsaJesuit,I’vealsoworkedinhospitals,innercityhighschools,a women’sprisonandaparish Duringmyregency,IwasassignedtoteachTheologyandEnglish atFairfieldPrep ThoseexperienceswereaninvaluablecontextformystudiesinTheologyat FordhamUniversityandtheJesuitSchoolofTheologyofSantaClaraUniversityasIprepared forordinationtothepriesthood

What am I doing for Christ?

IwasordainedapriestonJune8,2024andamcurrentlyassignedtotheFairfieldJesuitCommunitywheremy primarymissionisteachingEnglishandTheologybackatFairfieldPrep IalsoassistwithMassesatPrep,Fairfield UniversityandSt AnthonyofPaduaparish It’sanhonorandathrilltoservethiscommunityIlovesomuchinthis newsacramentalcapacity

What ought I do for Christ?

WetalkalotaboutbrotherhoodatPrepinthesamewaythattheUniversityspeaksbeautifullyaboutmenand womenforandwithothers Thoseconceptscanturnintoemptycatchphrases,butweknowwellthatourstudents yearnforthemtomeansomething toberealinthewaythattheirdesiresforconnectionandpurposearereal Our studentsdesireacommunitythatknowsandlovesthem Theydesiretobeimmersedinastorythathelpsthem makesenseoftheworld,givestheirlivesvalueandhope,andtakestheirdreamsseriously Astheirservantand guide,IoughttohelpthemseehowtheessenceofthatcommunityistheBodyofChrist,ourChurchandhowthe fullnessofthatstoryistheGospel;theGoodNewsJesusproclaimeannouncingtheKingdomofGodhereonearth TobecaughtupinthatcommunityandthatstoryistorecognizehowmuchourdreamsandGod’sdreamsalign a testamenttothedivinelovethatwillalwaysexceedourwildestimaginations

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