New Directions Activities: Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley

New Directions participants have many opportunities to relax, reflect and engage in fellowship with others through our social and spiritual activities. Through varied activities like the opening retreat, school liturgies and scheduled trips, students get to know each other and share ideas and perspectives, while also having quiet time for prayer and self reflection.

The Opening Retreat
Each semester begins with a silent, directed retreat, during which time each participant meets daily with a spiritual director. The quiet of the retreat and the experience of praying together provide an opportunity to slow down from the demands of ministry and travel, gain focus for one's sabbatical time and connect with other participants in the group. The dates for the upcoming opening retreats are August 21-26, 2005 for the fall semester, and January 16-20, 2006 for the spring semester.

Ongoing Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is central to the New Directions sabbatical. Participants choose a spiritual director from a qualified list that the school maintains, and they meet with their director regularly. The spiritual directors are companions on the sabbatical journey.

Faith-Sharing Groups
Participants often join faith-sharing groups, which meet regularly. During these sessions, each person reflects on how to integrate all that he or she is experiencing academically, socially and spiritually.

Recreation, Social and Community Life
New Directions students have many opportunities to participate in social activities, such as birthday parties, weekend trips and other social get-togethers and outings. Each month, a tour is arranged to a nearby location, such as the Napa Valley, the Monterey Aquarium and Yosemite National Park, where students can pray and play and renew mind and body.

On-Campus Liturgies
The Eucharist is celebrated daily, and New Directions students are invited to participate. Liturgies for the entire school are celebrated every Tuesday, and New Directions participants also celebrate together on a regular basis. Students have the opportunity to participate in a number of diverse parish liturgies on Sunday.