Santiago Living Learning Community
Santiago Community is a direct response to students’ desire and need to live with others who share their values; namely, Faith, Service, and Community. Santiago Community is a living community at Saint Mary’s College for Seniors and Juniorsthat is rooted in these foundational themes. Participants in Santiago Community share with other students both personal Individual Commitments and Shared Community Experiences with a focus on Faith, Service, and Community. Community Leaders, two student participants from the Community, provide leadership and support for the Individual Commitments and Shared Experiences of Santiago Community. It is sponsored by the MIssion and Ministry in partnership with the Office of Residence Life, Resident Advisors, Resident Directors, and other departments on campus.
Participants live together in Ageno Hall West and engage in an off-campus overnight Retreat at the beginning of the year. The Retreat is a fun, community-building experience where each person will have time to reflect upon their Individual Commitments to faith, service, and community for themselves this year. The Community also allows time on the Retreat to agree upon Shared Experiences for the Community during the year. Organization of the Shared Experiences and support to each person in their Individual Commitment are led by the Community Leaders and include the involvement of all Community Participants. The following are the framework and examples of the Shared Experiences for the Community:
Faith
- Ongoing monthly faith experience (regular Community faith sharing, Mass together, XALT, etc.)
- Support to an on-campus faith experience (Mass of the Holy Spirit, Liturgy of Lights, plan a prayer service for campus community around particular theme that is important to Community, etc.)
Service
- Support to an off-campus service project (Fall Into Service, Day of Service at Saint Martin de Porres, De Marillac Academy, Lasallian Educational Opportunities [LEO] Center, etc.)
- Participation in an on-campus service project (sponsor a booth at the Halloween for Kids or Carnival for Kids, etc.)
Community
- Ongoing monthly Community Night (share a meal, celebrate birthdays, invite campus guests, community and faith experiences might be combined, etc.)
- Dinner with Lasallian Community and the Brothers Communities each semester
- Celebration with Lasallian Community at the end of the semester
Rising seniors and juniors who want a meaningful and fun community experience in Ageno Hall West with other students who value faith, service, and authentic community are saying “yes” to the Santiago Community. Contact the Mission and Ministry Center at (925) 631-4366 or mmc@stmarys-ca.edu with any questions or input.
