‘Prayer for Unity’ Series Begins this Sunday

A new monthly prayer service for University faculty, staff and students begins this weekend.

Presented by Spiritan Campus Ministry and Duquesne Athletics, the first monthly Prayer for Unity service will be held this Sunday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. and will last approximately 15 minutes. It will be held on Rooney Field with socially-distanced seating marked.

“The idea for the prayer service originated with Jerry Schmitt, our head football coach,” said Athletics Director Dave Harper. “After internal discussions, the idea took hold with campus. We feel this is a means of focusing on unity as a campus and the role we all can play in these challenging societal times. We hope coming together once a month and focusing on unity allows everyone to participate and results in purposeful reflection.”

The Rev. Bill Christy, C.S.Sp., University chaplain and director of Spiritan Campus Ministry, will lead the prayers at the service.

“As we continue through the fall semester, there is a real need to stay focused. We need to stay focused on our COVID precautions, we need to stay focused on our academics, we need to stay focused on building community and we need to stay focused on our commitment to racial justice,” said Christy. “All these need our Unity. A prayer series centered on Unity helps us maintain our focus on who we want to be as a University.”

Attendance will be limited to a safe number of attendees, and individuals will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Check-in begins at 6:30 p.m. All attendees must show a Duquesne ID and have their temperature checked prior to entry. Once admitted, individuals will be guided to an assigned seat. All attendees are reminded to wear masks and observe other COVID-19 prevention protocols.

At the end of the Prayer for Unity service, there will be a remembrance for Marquis Jaylen “J.B.” Brown, who passed away on the same date in 2018. His mother, Dannielle Brown, has been invited to attend, along with her family members.

Each month, the Prayer for Unity service will feature an invited guest pastor from the community to participate. Services will be held at Rooney Field (weather permitting) and will be held virtually when necessary.