Exploring Faith: A Look at Weekly Exploration Offerings

Catholic Mass, held every Sunday at 3:00 PM, is a central part of Lawrenceville’s spiritual scene. The service offers the traditional aspects of Catholic Mass, such as readings from the Bible by student lectors and sermons from a priest, while also offering space and time for a sense of community to flourish. For regulars, Catholic Mass at Lawrenceville is a way for them to stay connected to their faith, even while they are away from home. However, Paula Clancy P ’11 ’13, a faculty advisor of Catholic Mass, stresses that “there is something for everyone, whether you’re a regular or have never attended Mass before.” 

Clancy further details that one of her favorite parts of Mass is the “sharing of the peace,” when attendants greet those around them with a gentle “peace be with you.” She finds the sacred moment a testament to the strong community formed during Mass. Especially within our fast-paced lives, Clancy feels that it is important to take a moment to “remember that we are all loved.” As a tip for students during the upcoming major assignments week, she urges us to look towards the support and uplifting power of our community in times of stress. Clancy emphasizes that anyone can be a part of the Catholic Mass community, and encourages all those who are interested to attend.

Every Friday before sundown, Woods Memorial Hall is filled with the joyous singing of Kabbalat Shabbat. For those unfamiliar with Kabbalat Shabbat, it is a Jewish ritual of welcoming the Sabbath, a day of rest in honor of God’s creation of the world. Led by our own Lauren Levy H ’97 ’01 ’12 P ’01 ’02 ’09, the exploration provides a fun opportunity for students, regardless of their religious beliefs, to “be together” and “relax” after an arduous week at school. During Kabbalat Shabbat, students can expect to drink grape juice and eat challah bread, a type of special braided bread eaten specifically during Sabbath. 

Kabbalat Shabbat is just one of many opportunities “for students to get away from the craziness of life at Lawrenceville”. Levy explains that one of the core values in observing the Sabbath is stepping away from work. Echoing that same sentiment, Levy offers a tip for students during finals week to take “away time” or “‘me’ time” amid all the academic stress. If you want to find some time to relax or just hang out and have fun, Kabbalat Shabbat is a great place to meet new people and learn about Jewish culture. 

Early Thursday mornings are graced by Phil Jordan’s P’24 calming Buddhist Meditation sessions in the chapel. The zen meditation is characterized by its quiet, mindful atmosphere, accompanied by walking and chanting, a form of meditation that combines the physical aspect of movement with meditative awareness. Jordan, who has been leading this exploration since 1997, comments that while there are a few regulars, Buddhist Meditation attracts a “wide range [of participants], not always from the Buddhist tradition.” He encourages all interested students to join him for a short break in their busy schedules. Though not every meditation is a completely self-transforming experience, Jordan notices that “almost everyone leaves feeling more themselves.” 

Held weekly at 6:00 AM, Jordan sympathizes that waking up in time for meditation can be challenging. However, he finds value in the “purifying” aspect of the experience that comes with a little “extra effort and adventure.” The commitment that is required ensures that everyone is dedicated to the goal of meditation, but Jordan also realizes that some—day students in particular—may not be able to make the early time. He is currently working on additionally hosting Buddhist Meditations on Monday evenings. Jordan hopes that many more can join these truly fulfilling meditative sessions.  

The Ecumenical Worship Service held every Sunday at 4:30 PM is yet another exploration students can take part in without conflicting with their commitments during the week. Led by Violet Lee, the short service allows “all Christian denominations to come together” and focuses on inclusiveness regardless of religious background. Lee believes that the school chapel, in which the service is held, provides a “sacred space to reflect and meditate” for both students and faculty. She hopes attendees “come together “in the spirit of unity and prayer” and take away something that is both “a source of upliftment” and “an opportunity to think critically” about our actions within our community. 

Lee offers a tip on how students can practice upliftment and critical thinking, especially during the next week. Noting that every major religion relies on some form of text, Lee suggests that students find a religious text every day to “gain inspiration” and use it as a mantra to gain perspective on their everyday lives. Lee encourages students to “look forward to each day”, and that “they can make it” even though certain challenges may seem daunting. If you happen to be free on Sunday afternoons and can spare just thirty minutes of your weekend, the Ecumenical Worship Service is definitely worth going to. In addition, Lee also recommends students explore a diverse range of other exploration offerings, such as those hosted by the Muslim Students Organization.