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A. lternative
M. eans of
D. iscovering
G. od's Grace
Welcome to A.M.D.G.
This site is intended to help you learn more about our Service Immersion program for juniors at Jesuit High School. |
**Why is it called A.M.D.G.?**
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (“To the Greater Glory of God”): Alternative Means of Discovering Grace. We believe that our service immersion programs help us to better understand these two interpretations of A.M.D.G. They help us better discover how to glorify God, through discovering God in all peoples
*What are these immersion trips all about?
Our service immersion program offers rising seniors an opportunity to put their faith into action in a very challenging and real way. They are about responding to the Gospel call to serve those in need, while questioning the reasons behind why people are in need. While each immersion has its own unique slant, they all encourage participants to learn about living in solidarity with people and experiencing a different way of living, often without many material possessions.
Each trip has goals which are modeled on tenants of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps program: engaging in direct service for and with the people of the community we are visiting; living simply, while in community with fellow students and people of the local community; reflecting on social justice and Catholic Social Teaching issues pertinent to the community we are visiting; and reflecting through prayer at the end of each day as a means of noticing where and how God was acting throughout the day, and, further, how God invites us to respond.
Tyler Carson, who participated in the immersion trip to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation a few years ago, writes, “My idea of ‘social justice’ has been radically modified since the end of this trip. I know that while initiating change in the world is a goal for an immersion trip like this, the primary goal is to create change in ourselves. In the long run, this personal change really will make the world a better place. We become more prepared to bring love to every place possible, and with a higher purpose.”
*What trips are available to apply for this year?
Students can apply for ONE of the following immersion trips during the 2009 fall semester for summer 2010:
*San Francisco – Forum on Sept. 23 in the library @ 6 PM
*Urban Immersion Sacramento - Forum on Sept. 30 in the library @ 6
*Los Angeles – Forum on Oct. 7 in the library @ 6 PM
*New Orleans – Forum on Thursday, Oct. 15 in the library @ 6 PM
*Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota– Forum on Oct. 29 in the library @ 6 PM
*West Virginia - Forum on Nov. 3 in the library @ 6 PM
West Virginia Application due Nov. 13th in Christian Service
*When and where is the application due?
*Once an application is turned in what are the next steps?
All applications are due in Christian Service by November 6th. Please remember you can only apply to one immersion. Once a student has turned in his application he should also sign-up for an interview. Interview times will be posted in Christian Service.
*When do the trips take place?
Each trip takes place over the summer; most during the month of June. However, even though we start the process in October, the dates for the immersions aren’t usually secured until early in the 2nd semester.
*Do they fulfill my Christian Service requirement for senior year?
Yes! If you participate in an immersion, you do not need to take the “Christian Service” course senior year. THE IMMERSIONS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE TO JUNIORS!!
*When does the process begin and how do I apply?
The process begins in late September with the evening forums. There is an evening forum for each immersion trip; at this forum, alumni of the immersions will speak on their experiences and how the immersion affected them. Any junior who is interested should plan on attending these forums! All the forums are held in the library, at 6pm. After each forum, the application will be posted here for you to download
*Is there work required before the immersion?
YES! All of the immersions require reading, homework, and attendance at weekly or bi-monthly meetings. Additionally, each person who participates in an immersion is responsible to raise donations for the organizations that partner with us and help offset some trip costs.
*How much do the trips cost? Is there financial aid available?
Immersions cost anywhere between $600 and $1200, depending on the immersion. This information will be on each application. Yes, financial aid is available.
*How many students are selected for the trips?
Immersions groups are composed of 6-10 students, depending on the immersion.
*Who are the chaperones?
Each immersion has at least two Jesuit teachers or faculty who act as the immersion leaders and chaperones.
*What are you looking for in immersion participants?
The ideal participant is someone who is compassionate, empathetic, open to growth, hard working, flexible, spiritual (it is not a requirement that you are Catholic!), reflective and able to reflect with his peers, concerned about social justice, and passionate about instigating change in our world, while learning about, and serving, a specific population of people. Immersions require a lot of work and energy before, during and after, and they are not for everyone! That being said, they are life altering experiences for most participants. Students come back feeling enriched, renewed, and challenged to continue with the work they did.