Interfaith Service Challenge

The University of the Incarnate Word is one of about 250 universities in the United States committed to interfaith service as part of President Obama's Interfaith Challenge under the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.The President said, "The particular faith that motivates each of us can promote a greater good for all of us. Instead of driving us apart, our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife and to rebuild what has broken; to lift up those who have fallen on hard times." Listen to the President

Under the leadership of Dr. Lopita Nath, a number of faculty members, UIW Mission and Ministry, and two student leaders, Marty Battafarano and Sarah Hanson, gathered ideas for the UIW proposal that focuses on service to refugees and advancing interfaith ideas and cultural dialogue through education. Read highlights of the 2011-2012 proposal.

Dr. Lopita Nath and Sister Martha Ann Kirk of UIW joined presidents and their representatives from about 250 universities on August 3, 2011 at the White House Eisenhower Executive Office Building to open a year of activities in response to President Obama's Interfaith Challenge. Read more.

Service Projects and Reflections on These

Over a hundred students in various classes were involved in service-learning projects and working with the Refugee Resettlement program in collaboration with Catholic Charities as community partner. Service projects with refugees during 2011 have included Meet the Mission. Read more. Arts and Crafts from Around the World, a fair with UIW students making refugee friends. Read more.

Students of Dr. Lopita Nath's Refugee class, Dr. Emile Clark's World Literature class, and Dr. Tanja Stampfl's World Literature class were meeting regularly with refugees to build relationships with them. These students and faculty presented an Interfaith Community Program describing classes involved with Interfaith Service. Read more.

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Students in the Honors Program on a Social Justice and Service trip to the Rio Grande Valley helped and were enriched by refugees at La Posada Providencia. Read more.

The History Club organized a Toiletry Drive to help provision the refugee apartments when they arrived. The students donated generously. The total value of the donations was about $1,000.

See some of the UIW community's contact with refugees

Interfaith Dialogue and Educational Events
An Interfaith Student Organization has been organized and meets regularly. Read more. Many Interfaith dialogue and educational events have been held. September 11, 2011 UIW students presented in a city-wide interfaith service hosted by the San Antonio PeaceCENTER. Students shared pantomime and song based on Micah 4, "Everyone beneath their vine and fig tree shall live in peace and unafraid. They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall know war no more." On September 21, the community hosted the United Nations International Day of Peace with prayers from many traditions.

The National Optometric Student Association chapter at the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry has had three interfaith programs beginning with a celebration of Eid. Read more. Internationally acclaimed Rabbi Jack Bemporad and numerous speakers and twelve programs were shared within the October Season of Justice and Peace. Read more.
The Institute of Interfaith Dialog and UIW Liturgical Outreach hosted a Friendship and Dialog Dinner with civic and religious representatives from the city. Read more.

The Interfaith Council sponsored a panel on "How do you teach your children about your faith?How do you teach them about other faiths?" organized by Marty Battafarano and Rev. Trevor Alexander of UIW Mission and Ministry. Read more.

The InterACTION, a newsletter from the Interfaith Council shares news of events and service

The January Edition of InterACTION

The February Edition of InterACTION

The March Edition of InterACTION

The April Edition of InterACTION

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Affirmation from President Obama. After receiving midyear reports of campus activities, at a prayer breakfast President Obama spoke of our responses as an example,  “Colleges across the country have answered our Interfaith Campus Challenge, and students are joined together across religious lines in service to others.” The President’s complete remarks are posted at whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/02/remarks-president-national-prayer-breakfast

Read the UIW Mid-year report of Interfaith Service Activities.

UIW leaders in the challenge joined others at St. Edward’s University in Austin to exchange ideas.

 

The Asian New Year was celebrated at UIW on January 24, 2012, in Marian Hall Ballroom. While observing the Chinese New Year, which is "Year of the Dragon," UIW traditionally celebrates the meeting of many Asian cultures.The traditional Tea Ceremony, Tai Chi, the Lion Dance, the Chinese lantern dancer, an Asian Fashion show, a Bollywood Dance, song, and food will be enjoyed. The UIW International Program's Institute of World Cultures hosts the event.

Dr. Syafaatun Almirzanah presented "When Mystic Masters Meet: Towards a New Matrix for Christian-Muslim Dialogue" February 7, 2012, 7 p.m., Marian Hall Ballroom. Professor Almirzanah will focus  focued   on the approaches of a Christian and a Muslim spiritual master of the past, Meister Eckhart and Muhyi al-Din Ibn al-`Arabi, and how they might help us enter into dialogue today. Dr. Almirzanah is a Professor of Islam and Middle Eastern Politics and Diplomacy at The University of Indonesia, Jakarta. She is the Founding Director of the La Convivencia Center for Human Rights and Religious Values. As a response to this successful presentation by Dr. Almirzanah, Narjis Pierre, leader of the San Antonio Muslim Women’s Association, will lead a monthly discussion on “When Mystic Masters Meet” starting in March at VivaBooks  vivabooks.com.