January 28, 2016

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Week to focus on environmental issues in light of Laudato Sí

MILWAUKEE — Marquette University's annual Mission Week is Sunday, Jan. 31, through Friday, Feb. 5.

Margaret Swedish will present the opening address, "What do we mean when we call the Earth 'Sacred'?," Monday, Feb. 1, at 4 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave. Swedish served for 25 years as co-coordinator, then director of the Religious Task Force on Central America and Mexico in Washington, D.C. She wrote Living Beyond the 'End of the World': A Spirituality of Hope and co-wrote Like Grains of Wheat: A Spirituality of Solidarity.

Additionally on Monday, Feb. 1, the Playback Milwaukee Theatre Co. will present an interactive sharing of experiences using a type of improvisation in which stories from audience members are heard and enacted on the spot with words, movement and music.

These two events, along with other select Mission Week events, are open to the public.

Other select Mission Week events open to the public include:

• Tuesday: Peter Mayer, songwriter, will be in concert singing about interconnectedness and the human journey.
• Wednesday: Michael Mehling, executive director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a research scientist at the MIT Energy Initiative, will discuss Laudato Sí, the Paris Agreement and the role of normativity in addressing climate change.
• Thursday: Waukesha's request to divert water from Lake Michigan is the topic of "On the Issues" with Mike Gousha. Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly and Racine Mayor John Dickert will discuss the impact the diversion would have on Waukesha County, Milwaukee and Racine.
• Thursday: First Nations Elder Josephine Mandamin, known as the "Water Walker," will discuss the spiritual relationship between indigenous people and water. Mandamin has walked around each of the Great Lakes – more than 10,000 miles.

A full schedule of speakers and events, along with ticket and registration information, is available online.

About Mission Week:

Each winter, the Marquette community pauses to reflect on the university's Catholic, Jesuit mission. Mission Week is the time set aside to recall Marquette's larger purpose and the Ignatian heritage and spirituality that guide the community throughout the year.

The week will begin Sunday, Jan. 31, at 11:30 a.m. with a Mass at Church of the Gesu that is sponsored by Campus Ministry and Church of the Gesu.