Center for Spirituality and Social Change
Kathryn Racine-Jones, M.Div., Director
kracinejones@ndnu.edu
(650) 508-3761
Location Hours/Appointments Mission Statement
Staff Spiritual Direction Community Based Learning
Services, Programs, and Opportunity for Involvement
Location
The Center for Spirituality and Social Change is located on the first floor of Julie Billiart Hall, just inside the door that the long wooden ramp accesses.
Hours/Appointments
The Center is generally open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm.
To schedule an appointment with Kathryn, please call 508-3761.
To schedule an appointment with Fr. Tom, please call 508-4132.
To schedule an appointment withAmber, please call 508-1069.
Mission Statement
Guided by the spirit of the Sisters of Notre Dame, the Center for Spirituality and Social Change seeks to:
honor the many religious traditions and spiritual paths in our community by providing diverse opportunities for tending the sacredness in ourselves, each other, and the world
&
work and learn collaboratively with community partners to bring about a more just society and positive social change.
We are a community of students, staff, and faculty who work together to support this vision.
About the Symbol
The Center for Spirituality and Social Change’s symbol, the vesica piscis, is an important symbol for many spiritual paths. The vesica piscis signifies the mediation of two distinct entities, as when two extremes complete and depend upon one another to exist. One circle may signify the breath of spirit, which is eternal; the other may signify the body, which is forever changing and adapting. In the context of The Center, the vesica piscis signifies the two distinct areas that we work with, yet it also speaks to the intersection and complementary nature of spirituality and social change.
Staff
Kathryn Racine-Jones, M.Div., Director. Kathryn was initially drawn to the area of spirituality and social change through her study abroad program in Chiang Mai, Thailand where she explored the spirituality of former child prostitutes. After spending three years living, teaching and counseling in rural Japan, and a fourth year cycling across Eurasia, deep questions of spirituality, social justice, religion, culture and mysticism drew her to The Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California where she received her Master of Divinity in May 2004. She is currently deepening her practice of spiritual direction at The Mercy Center’s Spiritual Director’s Institute. She is particularly drawn to questions of identity, authenticity, life-path and how individuals and communities are called to bring about positive social change and a more just world.
Fr. Tom Splain, S.J., Chaplain. Tom Splain, S.J. is a Jesuit priest. He grew up in Burlingame and, since entering the Jesuits, has lived in Bolivia, Paraguay, Hawaii, Fiji and Rome. His major academic interest is the connection between rituals and culture. He is presently doing research on what people experience when they go through a Catholic funeral rite.
Amber Mazza, Graduate Assistant. Amber was born in Michigan. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. After college she attended 7 centers Yoga Arts in Sedona, Arizona and completed a month long yoga intensive. She is now a 200 hour yoga instructor. Currently she is studying Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy at NDNU.
Each year a number of students also provide valuable leadership as spiritual events coordinators, community involvement coordinators, and liturgy coordinators. For 2006-2007 the student leaders are:
Community Involvement Coordinators:
Elin Kjolseth
Ismat Yassin
Mass Coordinator:
Shaun Ferreira
Spiritual and Social Justice Events Coordinator:
Emmy Gandeza
Spiritual Direction
The purpose of spiritual direction is to cultivate one’s ability to discern the presence of the Divine in one’s life — to notice and appreciate moments of wholeness, to maintain an awareness of the interconnectedness of all things, to explore ways to be open to God [or a higher power] in challenging and difficult moments as well as in joyful ones. The director serves as a companion and witness, someone who helps you (sometimes with questions, sometimes just by listening) to discern the sacred where you might have missed it and to integrate that awareness into your daily life. (slightly adapted from Rabbi Jacob Staub’s definition of spiritual direction on the Spiritual Directors International website)
If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please contact Kathryn.
Services, Programs and Opportunity for Involvement
Spiritual Development
Confidential Spiritual Direction*
Meditation Class
Weekly yoga classes
Weekly liturgy in the chapel as well as interfaith and other community liturgies
Various retreats, including the Leadership Retreat, Contemplative Retreat, Outdoor Adventure Retreat and Busy Person’s Retreat
Social Change and Community-Based Learning
Learn and Serve grant program for students interested in community service
Resource center for community service and community-based learning
Community Service and Social Justice Immersion Programs
Support for First Year Experience Community Based Learning
And more…
Knitting Circle and Labyrinth Walks, in collaboration with Health and Wellness
Various speakers, films, concerts and programs addressing issues related to spirituality and social change
Casual counseling, conversation, hot tea, and a comfy, quiet get-away on campus.
To get involved or find out more about our programs, please contact Kathryn Racine-Jones at kracinejones@ndnu.edu or by phone at 508-3761, or drop by and look at the current offerings on the bulletin board.