(35 years ago) Rockhurst Goes Coed! - Rockhurst University

A beautiful morning begins just steps away from the group’s campsite.On our adventures, conversationsswirled around books, movies, volunteerexperiences, environmentalissues and the occasional lake monster.But in the evenings, we sataround the fire with our hard-earnedmacaroni-and-cheese dinners andshared more serious discussionabout conservation and sustainability,and how these issues are regardedby religions around the world. Openeyedprayer, group reflections andsacred silence brought to light thetrue meaning of our trip.The journey home brought us tothe front door of the Jesuit NovitiateHouse in St. Paul, Minn. After ringingthe bell, someone made a jokeabout the girls coming to “tempt theyoung novices.” But as we lookedaround at each other — dirty,disheveled, tired and reeking fromfive days without a shower — we hadto laugh at what a ridiculous ideathat was. We toured the twin citiesand visited with the inspiring men ofthe novitiate who’ve dedicated theirlives to serving others.Our quest also led us through alandfill and a wind farm, where westudied both extremes of the conservationspectrum.In the van, we each announcedour own personal covenant to helpprotect the environment. Covenantsincluded riding a bike more often,reducing the amount of disposableproducts used and getting more seriousabout recycling.“There’s nothing like beingaround 10 other inspiring people fora whole week,” said sophomoreAnna Licata, whose experience onthe SuperNatural Christians Retreatsealed her decision to move closer toschool and work as a way to reduceher gasoline consumption.“It has broadened my perspectiveon this issue that I was rather indifferenton before,” she said.Discussion topics included how tobe better stewards of the environment.Recycle. Reuse. Buy more recycledproducts and fewer disposableones. Drive less often. Volunteer forenvironmental projects.“The Bible says we have dominionover nature, and people tend to turnthat around as an excuse to exploitnature,” she said. “This trip remindedme of the duty and responsibility wehave to protect the environment andnot exploit it.”This fall, we’re teaming again toorganize a conservation initiative oncampus. By becoming better stewardsof the environment and sharing thismission with others, we hope to takesome small step in preserving theworld in the way God intended.What a super, natural way to live.Find out MoreCampus Ministry sponsors theSuperNatural Christians retreat everyother May. For more information,visit www.rockhurst.edu/retreats.On the way home, the group joined the men of the Jesuit Novitiate Housein St. Paul, Minn., for Mass.16 ROCKHURSTFALL 2005