Holy Cross Mission in Hispanic Ministry Seminar

THEO 33969 / ILS 30803 / CSC 33969/ CST 33969

Seminar Learning Agreement

Immersion Dates: Saturday March 8 - Saturday March 14, 2009

Size: 10 students

(online application will be availible sometime in the fall)
Application Deadline: Thursday, January 22, 2009 (midnight)

Registration Period: January 25 - 28, 2008

Registration Deadline: January 28, 2008

Online Application: Apply Online

Bill Purcell

Seminar Director

Associate Director, Catholic Social Tradition and Practice

wpurcell@nd.edu

631-9473

Andy Sherwood

Holy Cross Seminarian

sherwood.12@nd.edu

235-1507

Erika Meyer

Campus Ministry Intern

Meyer.66@nd.edu

631-3389

Overview
Campus Ministry, the Center for Social Concerns, and the people of Nuestra Senora de Soledad Parish invite you to explore the many dimensions of Hispanic ministry. In particular, participants will experience the Church’s option for the poor through an immersion into the spirituality, culture and economy of the rural, southern California valley community of Coachella. This will include an exploration of the mission of the Priests of Holy Cross, who have collaborated in ministry with the lay people of the valley since 1973. And since this Seminar takes the shape of a pilgrimage, students will have opportunities to worship, pray, and reflect with the people of Nuestra Senora de Soledad Parish, a pilgrimage based in Coachella, California.

Students will experience life in Coachella in many ways, including going into the agricultural fields and meeting with resource people who make a difference in the lives of valley residents in terms of drug abuse, education, immigration, housing, etc. The Seminar will be conducted with a spirit of simplicity, including simple sleeping arrangements. Members of the parish offer the hospitality of their homes for part of the week to each of the Seminar participants. Although most everyone in the parish has Latino roots, many of the younger generations speak English. Finally, students will have an opportunity to recreate in the beauty of southern California.

Objectives and Course Requirements

The course requirements include: attendance at three preparatory sessions (TBA), assigned readings, participation in the on-site immersion and activities, one follow-up meeting (TBA) and a reflection paper due the night of the final class. Course packets will be available for pick up in Room 120 at the Center for Social Concerns at the beginning of the semester at the student pick up table (please note that the Center for Social Concerns is now located in building 1042 on the campus map, commonly referred to as the "Old Security Building"). You are responsbile for having completed the first assignment prior to attending the first class.

• To provide a spiritual experience in the context of Nuestra Senora de Soledad Parish for students with interests in ministry, Hispanic spirituality, and the option for the poor.

• To understand the mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross and its response through collaborative ministry to the Church-wide call for the option for the poor.

• To analyze and understand the contemporary situations of immigration and Hispanic inculturation in the United States, especially in light of Catholic social teaching.

• To integrate the site experience in Coachella with personal and spiritual understandings of the issues addressed in the seminar.

Application

• (online application will be availible sometime in the fall)

• By completing the application, you are agreeing to all requirements of the Holy Cross Seminar including those contained in this Learning Agreement. The application deadline is January 22nd (midnight).

• Saint Mary's College students must contact Sally Burns for application and registration instructions.

• The seminar is a one-credit hour course (THEO 33969/ILS 30803/CSC 33969/CST 33969) graded "S" or "U".

Registration

• Once you receive notification of Seminar selection (this should take place on Sunday, January 25th), you will register for the course on January 26, 27 or 28.  The registration deadline is Wednesday, January 28th. The course instructor will email instructions to expedite course registration.  Contact the assistant dean of your college if you are over the maximum number of credit hours allowed by your college or if you have a class time conflict.  The assistant deans of your college will be able to grant special approval. This course does not apply to overload. In the case that this course does cause an overload in your schedule, you will need to visit the Dean's office (not the Dean) of your respective college. Please do so as soon as possible because you must still complete registration by the registration deadline of January 28th at midnight. For information on who to contact in your respective Dean's office, please contact Paula Muhlherr.

• By registering for the course, students agree to complete all the steps as delineated in this Learning Agreement. All requirements are to be completed by late March 2009. Course credit will appear on the May 2008 grade report. Participation in and completion of the course is conditioned upon conduct according to the University policies as set forth in DU LAC.

Criteria for Selection

•  The Seminar is open to any student in good standing at Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College.   Admittance to the Seminar is based on a variety of factors.   The primary criterion is expressed interest in the goals of the Seminar. Preference will be given to upper class students who may have fewer opportunities to participate in the future.

•  We have a limited number of spots available.  While previous study in social justice issues is not necessary, all participants are expected to be acquainted with the Seminar theme and to demonstrate how they might contribute to a Seminar learning community.

Fees and Expenses

•  If you are accepted and you decide not to participate in the Seminar before January 30th, your student account will be charged a $40 cancellation fee.   If you are accepted and you decide not to participate in the Seminar after January 30th, your student account will be billed the full $100 Seminar fee.   (This is necessary because the Center has pre-paid expenses of the Seminar based on your acceptance into the program, and your acceptance may have precluded someone else from participating.) Students are required to bring spending money to assist with the cost of food.  The cost of air transporation is the sole responsibility of the student.  Van transportation will be provided once in California. The campus ministry intern will arrange airline reservations through Anthony Travel, but each student is responsible for payment of their own ticket.

• Limited financial aid is available through the Center for Social Concerns. You must apply prior to the first scheduled class. We encourage students to explore other financial aid options available on campus. Some types of financial aid available include the Learning Beyond the Classroom Grants (Arts & Letters students may apply for assistance with travel, seminar fee) and Rector's Funds that may be applied toward the seminar fee.

Withdrawal from the Course

•  You are required to notify the Seminar Director and the Seminarian if you are dropping this course. Final day to drop is Friday, January 30th.   To withdraw from this course, an Academic Course change form (obtained from the Center for Social Concerns), must be completed and signed by the Center's Director of the Seminar.   Saint Mary's students must complete the SMC drop-slip, signed by the student's academic advisor and the Director of Appalachia Seminar, and processed through the SMC Registrar.

•  Drops after January 30th and failure to follow proper withdrawal from course procedures will automatically result in a grade of "U."

Personal Vehicle Use & Insurance Coverage:

Note to students/faculty/staff regarding the use of personal vehicles:  If a personal vehicle is used during this seminar,  the vehicle owner acknowledges and represents that the personal vehicle is adequately insured and that in the event of an automobile accident, the personal automobile insurance will respond as primary insurance coverage.  In addition, the personal automobile insurance should provide coverage for any physical damage (comprehensive and/or collision) loss which may occur to the vehicle. The University will not respond to any claim for damages to the vehicle, whether insured or not insured, including deductibles.