The Center for Religion creates a lifelong connection among different religious traditions by focusing on common bonds and shared values. It fosters respectful, rigorous engagement while considering how local, national and global perspectives affect our view of the world. As Father Jordan says to those who participate: “The only faith you need to bring is good faith.”
What do you get when you combine compassion and action at the Center for Religion? You get CompACTION: Compassion in Action, a vibrant student group that uplifts the community with service projects to make the world a better place. This year, CompACTION is partnering with IRIS, a Connecticut-based nonprofit that helps with refugee resettlement in the United States. Other CompACTION programs include leadership development for real-world skills that are both transferrable and morally meaningful.
At its core, the Center for Religion addresses questions and issues that communities of people have struggled with for thousands of years. By bringing these conversations into a contemporary context, students learn about themselves and their place in the 21st century. One recent program included people who lost loved ones in the mass shooting at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina in 2015. The visitors spoke of forgiveness and faith in extraordinary times.