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Seton Hall University
Mother Seton Statue in the Spring

Contemplative Community Week

Monday, October 5 – Friday, October 9

Depth. Connection. Wholeness.

We are excited to announce our sixth annual Contemplative Community Week for Oct. 5-9!  This is a week of presentations, meditation, prayer, and contemplative practices aimed at inviting the whole Seton Hall community to promote holistic well-being, enter into study more thoughtfully and deeply, and form stronger personal and communal bonds. Events and resources for the week will be shared in a variety of modalities—in-person and virtual, indoor and outdoor, synchronous and asynchronous. We are grateful to our co-sponsors for bringing this week to fruition: the Center for Faculty Development, the Center for Catholic Studies, University Libraries, and Campus Ministry. Continue below for the full week’s schedule, links, and additional resources. 

We are grateful to our co-sponsors for bringing this week to fruition: the Center for Faculty Development, Counseling and Psychological Services, Great Minds Dare to Care, Campus Ministry, Hillel, and Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. Continue below for the full week’s schedule, links and additional resources.

Monday, October 5

Healing Mass in Honor of St. Bernadette
5 - 6 p.m. |  Chapel of the Immaculate Conception
Join us for a special Healing Mass in honor of St. Bernadette and the visit of her relics to the Seton Hall Community. Click here to learn more.

Tuesday, October 6

Center for Vocation and Servant Leadership Faculty Retreat
9 – 11 a.m. | Chancellor’s Suite
The Heart of the University Retreat Series gives faculty and administrators of all faiths the opportunity for input and guided reflection. The series is co-sponsored by the Office of Mission and Ministry and the Center for Vocation and Servant Leadership. The first retreat will be given by Gloria Thurmond, Ph.D. on the theme of Carriers of Meaning: The University Community – Communal Intersubjectivity. Click here to learn more.

Contemplative Coloring
1 - 3 p.m. | Walsh Library Main Floor (ask at the Circulation Desk)
Join us for a mid-day break with some contemplative coloring. Materials and refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday, October 7

Walking Meditation
12 - 12:30 p.m. | University Green
Kelly Shea Ph.D. will lead a contemplative walk around the University Green. Meet at the seal.

“Falling Leaves Picnic” on the Green
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | University Green, seal
Bring your lunch and join us on the green. Dessert will be provided. We’ll meet at the seal. 

Thursday, October 8

Lonergan Symposium: “Lonergan and the Study of Christian Mysticism,”
9:30 – 12 a.m. | Chancellor’s Suite
Join us for presentations and discussion with Amy E. W. Maxey, Ph.D., Mary Frohlich, RSCJ, Ph.D., and respondent Kevin L. Hughes, Ph.D., on Lonergan, Bernard McGinn and the Christian mystical tradition. Click here to learn more.

Seton Hall Meditates
12:30 – 1 p.m.| Virtual
A virtual meditation session for faculty, staff and administrators. Click here to learn more.

Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony
5:30 - 7 p.m.| Walsh Library, Silent Study Room, Second Floor
Discover the art of tea with Tea Master Fengxiao Liu! This special event will introduce participants to the traditions of Chinese tea culture, with an emphasis on its spiritual and communal dimensions. Click here to learn more.

Friday, October 9

"Wang Fangyu: The Art of Community,"
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Walsh Gallery
Walsh Gallery presents The Art of Community, showcasing Chinese artworks from Seton Hall University’s professor Wang Fangyu. Click her to learn more.

More Contemplative Community Week Opportunities

Videos of previous Contemplative Community events
Check out the Contemplative Community YouTube playlist for talks on how mindfulness can improve your performance in various areas of work and life, how to use technology mindfully, a musical meditation and more.

Book Display at Walsh Library
Check out this display of books on mindfulness, contemplative practices and prayer, and a variety of other contemplative topics at the end of the reference book stacks on the second floor of the library (near the photocopiers and Dunkin Donuts).

Don’t want this week to end?
If you would like to keep learning about contemplation and/or continue/nurture a contemplative practice, consider the following:

  • Join the Contemplative Community Teams group (open to all) or the Contemplative Pedagogy Teams group (for faculty) to explore more resources and connect with others.
  • Join faculty and staff every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in Teams for a weekly guided meditation; check the Events calendar for the link.
  • Be on the lookout for announcements about Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 faculty development opportunities.
  • Join the Sant’Egidio prayer group which meets every Thursday 4 - 4:30 p.m. in the Xavier Hall chapel.
  • Download an app like Calm, Headspace, Hallow, or Integration.