A common experience in postmodernity is disconnection from self, God, and others. This sense of alienation only increased during the pandemic and was shared alike among students, faculty, and community members. Although many may pursue modern strategies to alleviate estrangement and achieve deep connection, one should seriously consider the ancient wisdom of full-bodied engagement with the psalms where one allows the psalms to deeply engage oneself, others, and God along multiple dimensions of mind, heart, spirit, relationships, and experience. Unfortunately, few people, even the religiously trained, approach the psalms this way. In this presentation, we will not only cover the historical and theoretical contexts of full-bodied psalm engagement, but we will also approach the task practically so that attendees might begin such a practice on their own.

Learning about Jesuit education to be the best professor and employee at Gonzaga took an interesting route for Dr. Ellen Maccarone, Acting Vice President of Mission Integration. While a practicing Catholic, she attended only secular schools. But her desire to teach in Catholic Higher Ed and landing a teaching job at Gonzaga in 2005 propelled her to learn as much as she could about Ignatian pedagogy and spirituality.  So much so that the mission of Gonzaga animated her life and profession all the way to the Vice President’s Office. Come learn about the many ways the mission might animate your life—intellectual, academic, spiritual, and service-oriented, in this presentation and conversation. Discussion will also include various student, faculty and staff opportunities through the Division of Mission Integration available this academic year as well as other projects of the division.