S.T.E.P.: Serving Together Engaging Our Purpose

Campus Ministry is committed to service. “We stand in solidarity with local, regional and global communities. We live out a call that is reflective of our Catholic and Benedictine heritage and identity to work toward the common good."

Are you aware of a local organization that is in need of service or volunteers? Is that group found on our list of service sites? If not, please let us know! We want to make our students aware of as many local service opportunities as we possibly can. Please send all information and requests to Carrie Roberts, director of Campus Ministry, at cankeny@ben.edu

S.T.E.P. Locally 

Our Benedictine tradition calls us to care for our community. Our students are engaged at a number of different local nonprofits throughout the year. Click here to see a list of all the organizations our students have served. Where are you being called to serve?

Every first and third Wednesday of the month we host a potluck dinner at Catholic Charities Hope House Transitional Housing. It is an opporunity to provide a meal for someone in need, and learn from the residents of Hope House. If you are intersted in being a part of our Hope House Dinners contact Carrie Ankeny, cankeny@ben.edu 

 
 

S.T.E.P. Nationally

National service opportunities allow students to expand their commitment to service throughout the country. In the past, Benedictine students have worked at a mission parish with Native Americans in Wisconsin and built and repaired homes in Louisiana destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.National trips are offered during the winter, spring and summer break periods so that students do not have to miss class. More information about these trips can be found below.

Sacred Heart Mission Parish, Hopkins Park, IL

The people of Sacred Heart Mission Parish and the surrounding community of Hopkins Park struggle with abject poverty. Benedictine University has partnering with the parish for years and for nearly a decade has sent students there to help make life a little easier for residents such as distributing food or helping residents with household chores.

During the holiday season, Campus Ministry sponsors a collection of various items to try and provide the people of Hopkins Park with presents they can enjoy. Students who participate in this trip gain a greater perspective on life and form bonds with the spirited and friendly people of Hopkins Park.

Baldwin, MI

Baldwin is located on the west side of Michigan. Each May our Scholars students work on improving homes and visit with those in the community. 

Misericordia, Chicago, IL

Misericordia is a 31-acre residential community serving individuals with developmental disabilities. It offers a wide variety of programs and currently serves more than 600 children and adults. To learn more about Misericordia’s mission, visit www.misericordia.com. Please contact Carrie Ankeny, cankeny@ben.edu with any questions. 

Spring Break Service

For the health and safety of our community, and the community we serve, we will not be having an in person service experience during Spring Break 2021. 

 
 

 

S.T.E.P. Internationally

Benedictine University currently offers international service opportunities through a partnership with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet. Two trips are currently available: one to the Philippines at the end of the fall semester in January and one to Bolivia at the end of the spring semester in June. More information about University mission trips offered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet can be found by visiting dioceseofjoliet.org/missions.

Sucre, Bolivia

The University Mission to Sucre, Bolivia began in 1995 through the efforts of Sr. Dolores Zemont, O.S.F., at the University of St. Francis. In 2001, it was expanded by the diocese’s Peace and Social Justice Ministry to include students from all three of the diocese’s Catholic universities: Benedictine University, Lewis University and the University of St. Francis. In partnership with the diocese’s Peace and Justice office, students from the College of DuPage, Elmhurst College, Joliet Junior College and North Central College are also included in this mission opportunity.

While in Sucre, students serve at several orphanages, day care centers, a hospital built by the diocese and two psychiatric centers.

STEP to Bolivia dates:  We are currently postponing our international service opportunities for the health and safety of our communuty, and the community we serve. 

Bacolod, Philippines

Benedictine Campus Ministry has joined the diocese the past dozen years on mission trips to Bacolod, Philippines. The primary goal of the mission is to build a house with the Gawad Kalinga organization. Students who attend also dialogue with local university students and spend time with families in the village. 

STEP to the Philippines Dates: We are currently postponing our international service opportunities for the health and safety of our commmunity, and the community we serve. 

 

 

 
 

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Student Ambassadors

CRS Student Ambassadors serve to strengthen our relationship with the international humanitarian nonprofit organization Catholic Relief Services. They also educate the Benedictine community on global poverty and injustice, and advocate for the poor and marginalized.

Events organized on campus include Fair Trade sales and the Lenten Rice Bowl Feast Friday programs.

To learn more about CRS, visit www.crs.org.