Interfaith dinner to discuss nonviolence

CSB Campus Ministry is hosting an interfaith dinner and nonviolence discussion on Tuesday, Dec. 2, hoping to engage in a conversation surrounding peace.

Due to the violence our world experiences today, the Spirituality and Social Justice and the Interfaith leadership teams within Campus Ministry wanted to host a dinner that emphasizes the spirit of Benedictine hospitality and deep listening.

This is the first year an interfaith dinner and dialogue will be offered.

This dinner and conversation are centered on the Benedictine Charism of Peace, hosted and planned by two of the student leadership teams.

Both student-led teams thought it important to do something that fosters community and a willingness to have tough conversations on what it means to practice peace.

CSB Campus Ministry has a mission of helping foster the spiritual growth of all students through reflection, acts of service and worship.

Consisting of five student led leadership teams, their mission is influenced by the Catholic tradition and rooted in Benedictine values.

These values include awareness of God, community living, dignity of work, hospitality, justice, listening, moderation, peace, respect for persons, stability and stewardship.

The Benedictine values promote the creation of a welcoming community that embraces diversity and new perspectives.

Cindy Gonzalez, the Director of CSB Campus Ministry, spoke upon the formation of this event and how it came to be.

Gonzalez said the idea came to life through a meeting with student ministry teams and a desire to do something that would bring together the CSB+SJU community.

Throughout the past year, these teams have had conversations on how to best have a conversation based on all the violence that has occurred within our country, bringing together different perspectives around campus.

Gonzalez mentioned that this dinner is beneficial due to the creation of a community discussion that stems from the worldview of spirituality, justice and interfaith, ultimately including all students.

The Spirituality and Social Justice team and the Interfaith Leadership team members nominated one student whose presence they think would be beneficial to enrich a conversation on the subject of peace.

Through these nominations, the evening of dinner and dialogue will be filled with a shared meal, thoughtful conversation and communal reflection on the Benedictine commitment to peace and justice.

“We see the gifts [the nominated students] contribute quietly and powerfully share with our CSB+SJU community and we believe that their voices would offer wisdom shaped by both their service here on campus and the values that they embody beyond campus life,” Gonzalez said.

Attendee and CSB senior Ana Dailey said she is excited to attend the dinner.

“I am most looking forward to a chance to be still and listen to the insights of my classmates. We live in a very tumultuous world, and I am eager to sit down and reflect on the deeply Benedictine value of peace as a community,” Dailey said via email.

SJU junior attendee Bangaly Kaba said he is also looking forward to attending.

“My hope is to engage insightful conversation, getting to know more about how people I attend school with think about the world,” Kaba said via email.

The creation of a warm, reflective space is most important to Gonzalez in this inaugural dinner and dialogue.

She said that this dinner isn’t meant to change the minds of those attending, but rather promote listening with an open heart, hearing from a variety of unique perspectives and lived
experiences of those in attendance.

According to Gonzalez, CSB Campus Ministry wants to know how everyone is doing, how the violence of our world is being digested during this season of their lives and what ideas they have regarding worldwide peace.

Gonzalez said the students attending are the voices of tomorrow, making it all the more important that they show up authentically as themselves, ready to listen with the ear of their heart.

Since this is the first year this interfaith dinner is being hosted, Gonzalez shared her hopes and excitement about the event.

She said that the student led teams are composed of Bennies and Johnnies who care deeply about one another and want to hear from students across campus, and that these qualities will allow the dinner to succeed and become a yearly event.

“I think the variety of interests, the variety of leadership capabilities and roles across campus will really bring a diverse richness to this dinner dialogue,” Gonzalez said.