Religious Studies

The Religious Studies Program, which includes a minor course of study, is designed to engage students in the academic exploration of the nature and expression of religious experience form a variety of perspectives and contexts. Course selection includes the study of world religions, biblical criticism, spirituality, the study of the Catholic tradition in its historical, doctrinal and ecclesial contexts and inquiry into human experience as a resource for theological insight and development.

What makes Misericordia’s Religious Studies program stand out from all the rest:

The Religious Studies minor presents students with a cohesive and flexible program of study designed to:

• Increase students’ understanding and appreciation of the varieties of religious experiences and expressions
• Address current theological issues
• Correlate the students’ pursuit of theological inquiry with the development of faith, religious belief, moral responsibility and professional formation.

Job opportunities for Religious Studies include the following fields:

• Teaching
• Administration
• Business
• Law
• Medicine
• Non-profit organizations
• Communications
• Social Services
• Misericordia graduates have gone in the ministry, enrolled in Seminaries, entered religious life in the Convent of Capuchin of Nazareth Order, and have served as Mercy Volunteers and Jesuit Volunteers.

Ministry opportunities available for all students and working collaboratively with the university Campus Ministry Office:

• Student Leader Local Soup Kitchen
• Blue Chip Farms
• Adopt a Veteran
• Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm
• St. Joseph’s Day Care Center
• Adopt a Grandparent
• Immigrant & Refugee
• Mercy Center
• Habitat for Humanity
• Spring Break Service Trips
• Starry Knights
• Bible Study
• Hope & Healing
• CRS
• Serendipity Horse Farm (therapeutic riding program) 
• Kids on Campus (part of the Women With Children) 
• Liturgical Ministries: Choir, Lectors, Eucharistic Minister, Bible Study, Hospitality, Praise and Worship, RCIA, Retreats, Sacristans, and Students for Life.

Curriculum consists of a six (6) Course Sequence:

• Biblical Studies
• World Religions
• Intro to Christian Thought OR Theology of Church
• Theology and Human Experience OR Women & Spirituality
• Religion in America OR American Catholicism
• RLS Elective

Misericordia University serves the mission of the University by making visible the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy through advocacy, education and action. Campus Ministry reaches out with love and respect to persons of all faiths and backgrounds and invite students to join us in our mission through various faith based, service and social justice programs:

• Adopt-A-Grandparent at Mercy Center: Visit and provide social gathering for residents.
• Hospitality Ministry/Bagel Wednesday: Plan and coordinate hospitality events by Campus Ministry.
• Kids on Campus/WWC Program: Plan creative activities and games for children.
• St. Joseph’s Center in Scranton: Work with children with severe disabilities, infants to 9 years old.
• Theology on Tap: Gathering of students to discuss faith based topics.

For more information on these programs, please contact Chris Somers D. Min, M.S.W. at csomers@misericordia.edu or by calling (570) 674-6314.

• Adopt-A-Veteran: Visit with Veterans at the local VA Medical Center.
• Blue Chip Farm: Care for animals and help clean areas at the no kill animal shelter.
• Dinner for Kids: Volunteer to deliver meals to local families.
• Dorothy Day Catholic Worker: Engage in farm work, harvest, spin wool and make hats for homeless.
• Habitat for Humanity: Help build homes for local low income families with Habitat Chapters.
• Serendipity Therapeutic Riding Program: Engage with special needs children with an equine learning program.
• Soup Kitchen: Assist at St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen, serving meals or in the clothing bank.
• Spring Break Service Trips: Spend a week serving others throughout the country.
• Starry Knights: Tutor/mentor at an afterschool program at Noxen Elementary 2 days a week.

For more information on these programs, please contact Lindsey Riddell, MS at lriddell@misericordia.edu or by calling (570) 674-8041.

• Bible Study: Meet weekly to read and reflect on Bible passages and discuss the word of God.
• Catholic Relief Services: Students advocate to end human trafficking, climate change, migration and global hunger.
• Eucharistic Ministers: Share the Eucharistic meal with fellow worshippers.
• Faith and Fitness: Gather weekly to pray and work out together.
• Immigrant and Refugee Ministry: Work with refugee families and teach English.
• Lectors: Proclaim the Good News of our Lord through presentation of Scriptures.
• Liturgical Choir: Sing and play instruments at our weekend liturgies.
• Ministry of Hospitality at Liturgy: Pass out song books, assist guests, and straighten Chapel.
• Praise and Worship: Gather to pray and sing through worship.
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: Assist adults seeking to receive Catholic sacraments.
• Retreats: Retreat for Busy People – SEARCH Weekend (Feb.)
• Sacristans: Set up for liturgies and clean up afterwards at liturgical programs in Campus Chapel.

For more information on these programs, please contact Sean Farry, Campus Minister at sfarry@misericordia.edu or by calling (570) 674-6315.