Sursum Corda
Lifting Hearts since 1992
History
Sursum Corda, meaning "Lift Up Our Hearts," trace their origins to Georgetown University's Sursum Corda organization. They were established at Loyola Marymount University in 1992 as a co-educational service organization rooted firmly in the Jesuit ideal of being "men and women for others." Sursum Corda emphasizes the importance of service and the fervent desire to serve others in the Greater Los Angeles Community.
Mission Statement
Recognizing the need for a comprehensive and active service organization comprised of Loyola
Marymount University students, Sursum Corda, a Latin term meaning “lift up our hearts” is rooted firmly
in the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for humanity. Using this ideal as a foundation, Sursum
Corda emphasizes the importance of service and the fervent desire to serve others. The importance of this
mission is to inculcate the love of humanity through the practice of service, and enjoyable participation in
the community on a personal level, thus developing in each member the love of humanity.
About Sursum Corda
- Members of Sursum Corda are asked to complete at least 75% of their service requirement through off-campus service and 25% for on-campus service.
- Membership in Sursum Corda is co-educational.
- Sister Agnes Marie Schon, CSJ, served as the first moderator from 1992-1997. Father Donald Merrifield, SJ, served as the first chaplain.
- Sursum Corda has a foundation and history connected to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and the Jesuits.
2011-2012 Off-Campus Service Commitments
SAGE/Nickerson Garderns: Sage is an afterschool program for underprivileged elementary-level kids within the Watts community. Sursums help the children of Sage with homework, enjoy play time together, read to the kids, help students with arts & crafts, and assist the teachers whenever and where ever needed.
LAMP South Central: South-Central LAMP (Los Angeles Ministry Project) believes that "together we can be a light in the darkness ... nurturing presence in the everyday lives of women and their families.” Sursums can care for young children and infants while mothers take English-as-a-second-language classes.
Guadalupe Homeless Project: As a part of the Dolores Mission in East LA, GHP is a shelter for immigrant men to stay for 90 days, providing breakfast and dinner, help in finding jobs and services such as references, transportation, English classes and various workshops. Sursums spend time with these men, developing frienships and helping them adjust to their new lives.
PDR/Sunbridge Convalescent Home: Sunbridge is a convalescent home that focuses on the physical, emotional and social needs of its residents and patients. Sursums spend time visiting different residents each week to play games, talking about family, share stories, and develop long lasting frienships.
Feed the Hungry: Sursums can join Campus Ministry every Tuesday to prepare sack lunches and deliver them to homeless people in the local area, such as Venice and Santa Monica.
Beach Clean Up: In an effeort to presevre our local enviornment, Sursums spend time each week walking the beaches of Docweiler picking up trash along the shore while enjoying good company and converstaion.
SC Special Project & Social Justice Event: Every Fall the org choses a service project that has been planned, presented and implemented by Sursums. The special project chosen always benefit one of Sursum’s service placements. Sursum also sponsors Hunger Awareness Month (HAM) to bring the issue of hunger within LA to the LMU community by promoting CSA’s Hunger Banquet, hosting a campus-wide canned food drive, and raising money to donate through HAM t-shirt sales.
SC Fun Facts!
- The uniform colors of the Sursum Corda are navy blue, crimson, and white!
- Sursum Corda is the largest of all the service orgs with over 60 members!
- Every year Sursums compete against one another in an all-night Sursum Survivor full crazy challenges, team work, strategy, and all out fun!
- Every fall we have our Founders Day Formal
- We have a Sursum sword and shield. The sword’s name if Facio, which is Latin for “being of service” which we knight Sursums with every meeting!
2012 Sursum Corda Officers
President: Ed Gillman
Vice President: Kendra Breunling
Secretary/Member Relations: Rita Lis
VP for Service: Laurel Goycoolea
VP for Finance: Sage Vargas
VP for Special Projects: Geanna Flavetta
VP for Social Justice: Alisa Dwyer
VP for Spirituality: Will Shaffer
Moderator: AJ LaPan
Chaplain: To be determined
Feel free to CONTACT us about any Sursum questions at sursumcordalmu@gmail.com
Sursum Corda Prayer
Lord, lift up our eyes that we may
See those in need;
Those who hunger for your
Friendship;
Those who crave your light.
Lord lift up our ears that we may
Hear those who call for help;
Who speak your name.
Lord, lift up our arms that we may
Carry the downcast.
Build the broken,
Touch the lonely.
Lord, lift up our hearts that we may
See your face
Hear your call
Do your will. |
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