Franciscan University Households

[friendofJPII]

Hi Everyone,

I am posting this note to ask you thoughts on the HH system at FUS. I am not a recent graduate, so I'm not sure what the situation is like now, but honestly, based on what I observed when I attended FUS, I have mixed feelings about them. Please note that I am not posting this to debate, but rather to spark a discussion about HH life at FUS based on my experience, if and how the system should be improved, how they affect the student body, and if they are still necessary.

While some say that HH had a very postive impact on thier life, I personally feel that they add an element of excusivity and "cliquey-ness" to campus life, however indrectly so. While I don't think most FUS students intend to form cliques or make others feel left out, the sheer nature of HH life lends itself to that reality. Most HHs have many commitments, and some members are (were) chastised for missing commitments, even if they had a good reason (although should students have to "answer" to other students in regards to how they spend their free time?). I was not in a HH for most of my time on campus, and I did feel "out of the loop" during that period, as did others I talked to who were not in HH. I don't believe at a vibrant Catholic University such as ours, anyone should ever feel that way. I also felt that some people took HH too seriously, as if one was joining a religious order. I often felt like I had to have this (somewhat unnatural) bond and loyalty to my "sisters"...moreso than to my dear friends back home? I went to another Catholic University that did not have HH or Greek system before attending FUS, and while its Catholicity was far from orthodox, it was a very open, accepting, and friendly campus. There were not organized "friendship groups" people were free to make friendships as they pleased. I can understand why Fr. Scanlon initiated them intially, but given that the spiritual life of the school has really taken root, are these segregated groups stilll necessary?

Again, I'm just raising questions here, I understand that others may have different thoughts and experiences, and I would be really interested in hearing them.--Friend of JP II

Edited July 8, 2008 by friendofJPII

[Apotheoun]

When I was working on my MA at FUS I didn't belong to a Household: (1) because I was too old, and (2) because as a Byzantine Catholic the spirituality of the Households is quite particularized to the tradition of the Latin Church. Nevertheless, my interaction with young people who were members of Households was always good, and I generally saw them as beneficial.

[friendofJPII]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1595037' date='Jul 8 2008, 10:51 AM']When I was working on my MA at FUS I didn't belong to a Household: (1) because I was too old, and (2) because as a Byzantine Catholic the spirituality of the Households is quite particularized to the tradition of the Latin Church. Nevertheless, my interaction with young people who were members of Households was always good, and I generally saw them as beneficial.[/quote]

Here are some ways HH life might be improved, imo

a) less commitments--leaving more time open to make new friendships and do volunteer work.

b) less waiting time for intents---I remember I had to wait months, hoping I would be accepted by the group.

c) anyone who wants to join HH should be allowed to--I've heard stories of people being rejected.

d) NO SAVING SEATS at mass--I abhore the practice of saving seats in general, but at mass it is reallly shallow.
We are all untied in the Eucharist, we don't have to sit together.

[the_rev]

I am unfamiliar with what households are at FUS. I'm transferring there in the spring but will be living in the Pre-Theologate program. Is it like fraternies or sororities? I'm confused.

[puellapaschalis]

What's HH?

[friendofJPII]

[quote name='puellapaschalis' post='1595052' date='Jul 8 2008, 11:08 AM']What's HH?[/quote]


They are Christian fraternities and sororities.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='friendofJPII' post='1595044' date='Jul 8 2008, 09:58 AM']d) NO SAVING SEATS at mass--I abhore the practice of saving seats in general, but at mass it is reallly shallow.
We are all untied in the Eucharist, we don't have to sit together.[/quote]
I don't really have a problem with sitting at Mass (or the Divine Liturgy) in a group. When I attended the school I was a part of a group of students from the Trinity East dorm who "caravanned" over to Weirton to attend the Byzantine liturgy every Sunday (and feast day) morning. Sitting together -- at least in our case -- tended to emphasize the familial bond that had developed among us, and no one in the parish took offense at it. We normally sat on the Theotokos side of the Church.

[EstoVir_TheWay_4]

I haven't experienced FUS "Households" first hand, but they seem very intense. Who keeps them in check? Is there is campus minister or something appointed to the spiritual formation of each one?

[friendofJPII]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1595054' date='Jul 8 2008, 11:10 AM']I don't really have a problem with sitting at Mass (or the Divine Liturgy) in a group. When I attended the school I was a part of a group of students from the Trinity East dorm who "caravanned" over to Weirton to attend the Byzantine liturgy every Sunday (and feast day) morning. Sitting together -- at least in our case -- tended to emphasize the familial bond that had developed among us, and no one in the parish took offense at it. We normally sat on the Theotokos side of the Church. [/quote]

if everyone walks into together, then okay, but you should never tell someone they can't sit next to you at mass.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='friendofJPII' post='1595058' date='Jul 8 2008, 10:13 AM']if everyone walks into together, then okay, but you should never tell someone they can't sit next to you at mass.[/quote]
Sometimes a few people would arrive later than the main group, and they still came and sat with us, and no one at the parish took offense at this.

[friendofJPII]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1595062' date='Jul 8 2008, 11:15 AM']Sometimes a few people would arrive later than the main group, and they still came and sat with us, and no one at the parish took offense at this.[/quote]

yeah but say someone walked in who didn't know anyone....they would be afraid to sit next to you guys. I remember when I wasn't in HH walking into the Church during HH mass where entire pews were saved for HH members and feeling very awkward.

Edited July 8, 2008 by friendofJPII

[Apotheoun]

The solution to this perceived problem is to simply get rid of pews entirely. There are no pews at the Russian Orthodox Church where I attended vespers, and so there is no "seat saving" of any kind going on there.

[nowak.chris]

[quote name='the_rev' post='1595051' date='Jul 8 2008, 01:06 PM']I am unfamiliar with what households are at FUS. I'm transferring there in the spring but will be living in the Pre-Theologate program. Is it like fraternies or sororities? I'm confused.[/quote]

When Fr Scanlan took over the university it was a party school (my dad drove across the state from dayton when he was in college). He kicked out the greek organizations and substituted a Christian alternative. At times membership in HH's was mandatory, now it is not (except for pre-the's).

They are a cross between fraternities and small faith groups, attending Mass together once a week, having a weekend prayer service, and other commitments based on a common spirituality. They also tend to form most of the intra-mural sports teams, live on the same wing/floor of the dorm, etc.

HHs organize around different things, most around some aspect of spirituality (Watchmen of Zion have a devotion to Divine Mercy, Brotherhood of St Francis...St Francis). Others around some other aspect (Brothers of the Eternal [s]Racket[/s] Song around brotherhood, AMDG around "Braveheart",... or so it seems)

For you things will be a little different: the pre-theology program has its own households which operate a little differently (No such thing as household commitments, they are program requirements, for example). My guess is you will enter as a Stoner (Living Stones HH), the fresh/soph Pre-The household. From there you may move down to Koinonia. Electi Mariae is for non-traditional/graduate pre-the's. (I doubt that this has changed at all, but it has been 3 years since I was out there).

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1595080' date='Jul 8 2008, 10:29 AM']The solution to this perceived problem is to simply get rid of pews entirely. There are no pews at the Russian Orthodox Church where I attended vespers, and so there is no "seat saving" of any kind going on there.

[/quote]
+J.M.J.+

[StColette]

I never had a bad experience with any of the people in households. I lived on wing with two households. They were really awesome girls and made everyone feel very welcome. Of course their commitments take up a lot of time, they usually have a designated holy hour, rosary, etc. These commitments are like any other club. They take up time. You are expected to be in order to fulfill your commitment. I mean, I would not join the works of mercy team and then not be expected to fulfill certain obligations. Households are definitely not for everyone. They do take up a lot of time. If you are taking 18 credit hours a week, don't join a household because you'll never find time to do everything you need to do.

I never felt that they were clique-ish. I was always very welcomed by a number of them. I lived on wing with the Lambs and the Angels. They are both wonderful households. Very closeknit, which isn't wrong. I lived in Scotus for a semester, which only houses 16 girls. We all grew very close, and it was almost like having a little household.

Now some people will kinda powertrip and take things to the extreme. That I do not agree with.

As for sitting together at Mass, why not lol My group of friends and I always sat together at Mass. At times we were definitely a big enough group to be considered a household. At the same time, where does it matter where you sit at Mass, even if you don't know anyone. You aren't there to socialize you are there to worship God not the person sitting next to you lol As for people asking you to sit next to you and you tell them no because you are saving a seat for someone isn't wrong at all. I save a seat for my husband each time we go to Mass. He's the youth minister and thus has to greet everyone at the door, which can make finding a spot difficult unless I save him a seat. Also for campus Masses, which are absolutely packed all the time, I don't think it's wrong to save a seat. Especially for the 12:05 Mass which you practically have to sprint for after your class in order to get there in time.

[quote]AMDG around "Braveheart",... or so it seems[/quote]

ROFL!!!

I lived in Clare Hall for a semester, which is connected to Kolbe Hall (boys dorm) and AMDG had their common room in Kolbe. They were an awesome group of guys. Knights of the Holy Queen were also in Kolbe. They gave all the girls in Clare Hall roses one day with cute little notes attached to them. The Kolbe household guys were absolutely awesome!!

[quote]I haven't experienced FUS "Households" first hand, but they seem very intense. Who keeps them in check? Is there is campus minister or something appointed to the spiritual formation of each one?[/quote]

Each household has a Professor, Priest, Sister, or Brother that is the advisor.