By Rory McNelley, Education and Enrichment Coordinator

Last Wednesday, Xavier’s Division of Mission and Ministry hosted the first Mission Dialogue dinner with student leaders from across campus, joining together in dialogue about how Xavier’s mission affects students’ view of current events. 

Xavier’s Division of Mission and Ministry oversees a number of different programs on Xavier’s campus including the Center for Faith and Justice (CFJ), Center for Mission and Identity (CMI), Center for Ignatian Belonging, the Eigel Center and Saint Peter Faber Academy. 

This dinner was centered around immigration and refugees. Attendees shared a meal and spoke in groups at tables with one faculty supervisor. 

“After eating, we went into a deep discussion at our tables about what Xavier’s mission is and how it relates to current issues. It was a challenging topic to talk about, but very eye-opening while also helping me connect with more peers on a deeper level,” first-year communications and criminal justice major Lanie Rauch said. 

Fr. Eric Sundrup, Vice President for Mission and Ministry and host of the event spoke briefly at the beginning about Jesuit values that shaped the discussion. Sundrup cited the presupposition which implies assuming positive intent when listening to a peer’s commentary and explained Catholic social teaching pillars which framed the conversation. 

“The purpose of these dinners is to create a space where student leaders from across campus can learn and practice engaging complex, and often contentious, political and social issues through a mission-centered lens. I begin by offering context on how our Jesuit Catholic mission invites us to approach these topics, then move into small-group conversations that foster thoughtful dialogue among peers,” Sundrup said. 

In small groups, tables were given five questions to guide discussion about how Xavier’s Jesuit mission shapes conversations about immigration and refugees on and off campus. Student leaders were urged to be empowered by the conversation and continue discussing Xavier’s mission with their peers. 

“It was a great opportunity to have an honest conversation about our Jesuit Catholic identity in the context of the challenges we face in our country and our world. I’m excited to be part of this effort to explore how our mission can guide us in making a meaningful difference across our campus and beyond,” junior computer science major Noah Garczewski said. 

The dinner comes after political conversations across the country have become emotionally charged and turbulent. Disagreements between the papacy and the presidency have put Catholic social teaching at the center of political discussion. Student leaders were provided a safe space to have their idea challenged by their peers in thoughtful discussion rather than heated debate.

“The goal is to help all of us grow more comfortable engaging political and social issues from a mission perspective—with one another, with professors and with external partners,” Sundrup said.

The Jesuit Catholic mission at Xavier is a critical part of its institutional identity and the identity of its student body. Facilitating discussion around how this identity shapes student’s ideas of the world is one of the main goals of the Division of Mission and Ministry. The Mission Dialogue dinner was just the beginning of their work to engage students in social and political conversation on campus.