US Jesuit institutions to honour James Foley on 41st birthday

James Foley

The death of James Foley two months ago was a tragedy felt across the world. To members of the Jesuit network here in the United States, we lost one of our own: a proud alumnus of Marquette University whose love for and pride in his alma mater is seen in his widely-read piece, “Phone Call Home.” Foley’s death at the hands of ISIS is a stark reminder that life is precious and that our prayers for peace are needed now more than ever.

This weekend, when Foley would have celebrated his 41st birthday on Saturday, 18 October, Jesuit colleges and universities across the country will join his family in solidarity, as they celebrate his life at a memorial service.

Rev Michael J Sheeran, SJ, president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) said: "Earlier this month, we invited our 28 member institutions to offer a Mass or inter-faith prayer service for peace in honor of James Foley's contributions toward justice and freedom of the press, and in memory of all others who have died this year at the hands of ISIS. With the support of the AJCU Board of Directors and James' alma mater, Marquette University, we are proud to lead this initiative that unites our Jesuit colleges and universities in solidarity, and honors the memory of a Jesuit alumnus who was a true man for others and an American hero."

Beginning tomorrow, 16 October, the following Jesuit colleges and universities will offer Masses, intentions or prayer services for James Foley (institutions are listed in alphabetical order):

Canisius College: Rev Michael Tunney, SJ (Director of Mission and Identity at the College) will say Mass for the Canisius Board of Trustees on Saturday, 18 October, and will include a tribute to Foley in his homily. Foley will also be remembered during the homily of the College's weekly 9.30pm Mass on Sunday, 19 October at Christ the King Chapel.

College of the Holy Cross: Foley will be remembered on Sunday, 19 October at the College's 4.30pm. Interdenominational Service and 7pm Catholic Mass. As part of this remembrance, copies of Foley's piece, "Phone Call Home," will be distributed as people leave the worship services. Both services will take place in the College's Mary Chapel (lower level of the St Joseph Chapel).

Creighton University: St John's Parish at Creighton will honor Foley during two Liturgies: 5pm Mass on Saturday, 18 October and 10.30am Mass on Sunday, 19 October. Foley will be remembered in the homilies at both Masses and during the Prayer of the Faithful. Before the Masses, there will be an explanation about the tributes during the Call to Worship.

Fordham University: On Sunday, 19 October, Fordham will remember Foley in the Prayer of the Faithful and offer a prayer for world peace during all of the University's Sunday Masses at both the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses. At the 8pm Student Community Mass at the University Church at Rose Hill, the University will invite Jesuit concelebrants to take part in the Liturgy, as well as student leaders, in prayerful remembrance of Foley. After Communion, the entire congregation will process together to the wayside crucifix shrine outside of the Church, where congregants will pray the prayers of commendation for his soul and sing the In Paradisum from a funeral Mass. The Mass will end with a prayer for world peace. (Masses at the Rose Hill campus will be held at the University Church at 11am, 5pm and 8pm; Mass at St Paul the Apostle Parish adjacent to the Lincoln Center campus will be held at 5:15 PM.)

Georgetown University: Georgetown will remember Foley and others killed in war at an interfaith prayer service on Tuesday, 21 October (location TBD).

Gonzaga University: On Friday, 17 October, Gonzaga will celebrate the daily Mass for Foley at the University Chapel.

Le Moyne College: On Sunday, 19 October, Le Moyne College will offer the 11am and 7pm Masses for Foley in the Chapel of the Madonna della Strada.

Loyola Marymount University: Loyola Marymount will offer prayers for Foley during both of the University's Masses on Sunday, 19 October at the Sacred Heart Chapel on campus (10am and 8pm). The University will also include Foley’s name during the Litany of Remembrance (Lux Aeterna) during all of the Sunday Masses on the Feast of All Souls on Sunday, 2 November.

Loyola University Chicago: On Thursday, 16 October Loyola University Chicago Chaplain Rev John Murphy, SJ (who shares a close mutual friend with Foley) will preside during the 5.15pm Mass at the University's Madonna della Strada Chapel.

Marquette University: Marquette will remember Foley during the Prayer of the Faithful during Masses on Sunday, 19 October at the Church of the Gesu (4pm) and the Chapel of the Holy Family (8pm and 10pm). Marquette held a memorial service for Foley in August, which was attended by over 1,000 people.

Rockhurst University: On Thursday, 16 October 11am Rockhurst will host an ecumenical prayer service entitled “Living in Solidarity" at the University's Convocation Center. On Sunday, 19 October 16pm Sunday student Mass at St Francis Xavier will be offered in memory of Foley and others whose lives have tragically ended at the hands of ISIS. The petitions, prayers, homily and music for this Mass will be a plea for peace and justice in the world.

Saint Joseph’s University: Saint Joseph's University will offer the 11am Mass on Sunday, 19 October at the Chapel of Saint Joseph in memory of the life of Foley.

Saint Louis University: This week, Saint Louis University will offer all of the residence hall Masses and prayer services in memory of Foley’s life. In addition, the daily Mass at St Francis Xavier College Church on Friday, 17 October will be offered for him. After fall break (when students return to campus), the University will offer its student Mass at St.Francis Xavier in Foley's memory on Sunday, 26 October at 9pm. This Mass (accompanied by discussion, education and information) will be part of the University's Campus Ministry Faith and Justice Speaker Series, which examines the many ways that faith impacts civic engagement with issues of justice, locally and internationally.

Saint Peter's University: Saint Peter's University will incorporate a prayer for Foley and all brave journalists who have given their lives to report from war zones around the world into the weekly student Mass on Sunday, 19 October at 5pm at St Aedan's: The Saint Peter's University Church. It will be celebrated by Rev Michael Braden, SJ, Vice President for Mission and Ministry at the University.

Santa Clara University: On Sunday, 19 October, Santa Clara University will host a prayer vigil for peace at 8.30pm in front of the University's Mission Church. This will precede a 9pm Mass at the Church that will be offered in memory of Foley.

Seattle University: Seattle University will offer its Masses on Sunday, 19 October for Foley at the Chapel of St Ignatius on campus at 11am and 8pm. The University's Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Rev Peter B Ely, SJ, will preside at the Masses.

Spring Hill College: On Sunday, 19 October, Spring Hill College will pray in a special way for Foley and for all who have lost their lives to war and violence and all who serve others and are in harm’s way, at both the 11am and 9pm Masses at St.Joseph's Chapel on campus.

University of Detroit Mercy: The University of Detroit Mercy will offer Mass for Foley on Sunday, Oct. 19th at 9:00 PM, in association with the feast of the North American martyrs, at the Jesuit Community Chapel, which will be open to students.

University of San Francisco: On Sunday, 19 October, at the 8pm Mass at St Ignatius Church, the University of San Francisco will offer a Mass of Peace for Foley with Presider Rev Sonny Manuel, SJ (Director of the University's St Ignatius Institute).

Xavier University: Xavier University will offer the student Masses at 4pm and 10pm on Sunday, 19 October at Bellarmine Chapel in thanks for the life of Foley.