Mission, Campus Ministry & Social Action
The Department that assists faculty, administrators, staff and students to develop and sustain their participation in the Lasallian Catholic mission of Manhattan College.
The Office of Mission supports the Manhattan College community in their understanding and realization of the distinctive academic and societal mission of the College and its Lasallian Catholic identity. The office works to ensure that the five Lasallian principles of higher education, faith in the presence of God, a respect for all people, a quality education, an inclusive community, and a concern for the poor and social justice, are present in our campus community. Together and by association, the schools, departments, and programs of the Manhattan College community are assisted in their efforts to realize, promote, and integrate the distinctive Lasallian Catholic identity of the College as they fulfill the College’s strategic plan. The Office of Mission supports Lasallian and Catholic formation programs, the Lasallian Educator Awards, and consultation efforts across the campus. It is also involved in Manhattan College's status as a Laudato Sí University.
Rooted in the Lasallian Catholic tradition, the mission of Campus Ministry & Social Action (CMSA) is to promote faith, service, and community throughout Manhattan College. Inspired by faith and zeal, we accompany students, faculty and staff to encounter, engage, reflect, and act in the world and to find meaning and purpose on their life and faith journeys.
If you want to engage your faith in action in the world, CMSA is the place for you!
Campus Ministry & Social Action provides opportunities for spiritual development, community engagement, service opportunities, and reflection on social justice. CMSA offers programs that include prayer, liturgies, meditations, discussions, retreats, lectures, social justice immersion trips, local community service projects, and social events.
CMSA strives to serve students of all religious traditions. Several student LIFT Retreats are offered each year for ecological spirituality, Kairos, new students, seniors, and women in spirituality. Days of Recollection for faculty and staff are offered during Advent and Lent. Our Catholic community celebrates the Eucharist on Sunday evenings in the Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers and on weekdays in the Chapel of the Holy Infancy. CMSA journeys with members of the campus community interested in becoming Catholic or completing their Sacraments of Initiation. For Jummah, an Imam is available on Fridays for the pastoral care of our Muslim students.
One-time service opportunities are open to the entire student body throughout the year through the Service on Saturday Program. Students who are interested in regular service opportunities at one of our local non-profit partners can participate in the LoCo Program. The annual Mission Week of Service invites the campus community to participate in both on and off campus service projects with local community partners along with seminars and celebrations to highlight the College’s Lasallian heritage each April. CMSA also sponsors LOVE Trips, the Lasallian Outreach Volunteer Experience. Through these social justice immersion experiences, students participate in domestic and international immersion trips during winter and spring breaks and the early summer. On the trips, students are immersed through experiences with the local community. Participants learn about issues such as disaster relief, climate change, immigration, hunger and more. Students are encouraged to bring what they experience back to campus to engage in local service and advocacy. Recent experiences have taken place in Pachuca, MX, New Orleans, Flint, El Paso, Camden, Chicago and Bethlehem in the Holy Land.
Through CMSA, Manhattan has been designated a Catholic Relief Services “Global Campus" in recognition of the College’s commitment to international relief and development work. CRS runs the Lenten Rice Bowl drive, advocacy days, and campus-wide awareness of pressing international justice issues. Manhattan College also has the distinction of being the first Fair Trade College in New York City and the fifth in the country. The department often sponsors a program called a Slice of Social Justice in which students are invited to hear speakers on current issues and enjoy a slice of pizza, pie or cake. Agape Latte is a coffee house that occurs several times each academic year that combines music, food and a reflection by a faculty member about their faith journey.
CMSA and the Voter Engagement Committee work to promote and expand civic life on and off campus through the expansion of nonpartisan civic engagement, voter registration, and voter education efforts. “Jaspers Vote” is our Manhattan College campaign to get more Jaspers to register and vote every year.
Campus Ministry and Social Action has two convenient locations: Cornerstone, located in Miguel Hall, room 209, and the Social Action Suite, room 2.03, in the Kelly Commons. Students are always welcome to drop in and enjoy the comfortable lounges, get the latest information on programs and see the staff members who are available for conversation, consultation and pastoral counseling.
For more information: https://inside.manhattan.edu/student-life/cmsa/index.php