Thanksgiving and Advent Blessings

Author: Rev. Gerry Olinger, C.S.C.

Dear Students,

As we begin to celebrate Thanksgiving and the upcoming Advent season, and with the end of the semester quickly approaching, I write simply to offer a few reflections and words of encouragement in the midst of this busy season.

This is an exciting and joy-filled time of year. While many of you are preparing to travel home to spend Thanksgiving with family and loved ones, others may be looking forward to a few days on campus with a slower change of pace. The first signs of the holidays are starting to show, and we are already looking ahead to how we will enjoy the Christmas Break and next semester’s classes. At the same time, we are seeing the weather become colder and the skies turning mostly gray. We are aware of the ways others in the world and in our communities may be hurting, and are perhaps experiencing challenges or suffering ourselves. It is important to name and acknowledge these kinds of apparent contradictions because in doing so we are also invited to recognize where we might find—and where we might bring—sources of light and hope.

Read More

Rev. Pete McCormick, C.S.C., named assistant vice president; 3 Campus Ministry staff members elevated to directors

Author: Kate Morgan

Rev. Pete McCormick, C.S.C., director of campus ministry at the University of Notre Dame, has been named the inaugural assistant vice president for campus ministry. Three current Office of Campus Ministry assistant directors have also been promoted to director positions. 

As assistant vice president, Father McCormick will lead the University’s faith formation, spiritual life and liturgical offerings of undergraduate, graduate and professional students within the Division of Student Affairs. Additionally, he will continue to oversee the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, provide pastoral support to all faculty and staff and guide the mission of the Office of Campus Ministry in collaboration with the division strategic plan. 

Read More

Inclusive Campus Student Survey Results

Author: Rev. Gerry Olinger, C.S.C.

Dear Students,

I hope these past few weeks have been exciting, rewarding, and filled with opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit as you engage in your coursework and campus life.

At the start of the semester, I invited us to consider what it might mean to engage intentionally in reflection in community. Finding space and time amid busy schedules can be difficult, but our willingness to do so—to reflect, prayerfully, on the constant input we receive and to do so in the context of community—is absolutely essential to the good work we are able to do at Notre Dame and beyond.

Read More

Welcome Home

Author: Rev. Gerry Olinger, C.S.C.

Dear Students,

I hope this message finds you settled in and preparing for your first full week of classes! I am thrilled to write today to welcome you to another academic year at the University of Notre Dame.

As you may know, I serve as the University’s Vice President for Student Affairs. If you are not familiar with the work of Student Affairs, our team comprises more than 250 professional staff from an array of offices

Read More

Fall COVID-19 Update

Author: The Division of Student Affairs

Dear Students,

For those of you who are new to the University, welcome to Notre Dame. For those of you who are entering another academic year, we look forward to your return to campus. 

Today we write to share an overview of the University’s COVID-19 policies. Given the University’s high vaccination rate, and in consultation with public health officials and partners across the region, the University’s COVID protocols will remain unchanged from those announced

Read More

Welcoming You to Your New Home

Author: Rev. Gerry Olinger, C.S.C.

Dear Students,

I am thrilled to add my welcome to the many offices, staff, faculty, and students who have been in touch with you this summer as you prepare to begin your journey at Notre Dame. I write on behalf of myself and my colleagues in the Division of Student Affairs, and to share a bit about the community you will join in just a few short weeks.

Read More

Notre Dame statement on weekend shootings

Author: Notre Dame News

“The University of Notre Dame community mourns and prays for the families and friends of those killed and injured in senseless shootings this past weekend in Buffalo, New York, and Laguna Woods, California.

“The racial animus that inspired the murders in Buffalo is the antithesis of all that we as a people stand for, as was the targeting of members of the Asian American community while at church. We pray for an end to the divisive rhetoric that has led to a growing and unacceptable environment of hate and violence that is tearing at the fabric of our nation.

Read More