Interfaith Community Gathers at First Annual UMass Boston Prayer Breakfast |
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John Joseph Moakley Award for Distinguished Public Service Presented to Thomas J. White |
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Interfaith Community Gathers at First Annual UMass Boston Prayer Breakfast |
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CM's Senior Executive Leadership Forum: Managing Exceptional Growth--The EMC Story |
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Research and Sponsored Programs Office Announces Quarterly Awards |
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Juliet Schor Speaks on "New Consumerism" as part of Earth Day Festivities |
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Nearly every workplace has them: incessantly ringing phones, endless meetings, and overflowing inboxes, both on deskspace and in cyberspace--all commanding immediate attention. The resulting stress can be overwhelming.
On March 29, at UMass Boston's first annual Prayer Breakfast, guest speaker Nancy Kehoe asserted that finding time for prayer during the stress of a workday is well worth the effort. A licensed psychologist and a member of the Religious Order of the Sacred Heart, Dr. Kehoe specializes in clinical aspects of religion and psychology. She began the breakfast by asking participants why they chose to attend.
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Jain Ruvidich-Higgins responded, "I think it's important to identify a thread that carries through all of the roles and activities in our lives, a thread that you can hold onto when you feel as though you're losing your direction. A spiritual life is something I believe can provide that." Others voiced a desire for a greater sense of connection with others. Community-building was one of the breakfast organizers' top goals. Sister Sung-Ae Kim of the Campus Ministry explained that organizers wanted to "reach out to build the interfaith community at UMass Boston." Dean of Students Stephanie Janey, whose office oversaw the event, added, "This program gave us some time to reflect and be reminded that spirituality can play an important role in the work that we do." During her presentation, Dr. Kehoe emphasized the importance of quiet reflection, and cautioned against a materialistic, unreflective pursuit of spirituality. "We have to wonder whether we are consuming things that tell us how to be more spiritual, without actually attending to what nurtures us," she said. Noting also a difference between simple escape or indulgence and spiritual rejuvenation, she suggested developing reflective moments through the preservation of quiet time, journal writing, meditation, and prayer. "We must ask," she added, 'What makes us feel connected? What makes us feel like peace-filled people? What feeds us?'"
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 From left to right: Bertha Hoskins, University Advising; Jain Rudavich- Higgins, Program for Women in Politics & Government; and Albis Mejia, Student Support Services at the Prayer Breakfast. (Photo by Harry Brett) |