Most students wouldn't use the word "peaceful" to describe their often busy and hectic lives. But this week, Marquette is calling all of campus to work toward building peace in their lives and the world around them during Mission Week 2005.

"Constructing Peace" is the theme for this year's Mission Week, which begins this week, said Stephanie Russell, executive director in the Office of Mission and Identity.

"Peace is something that is needed for us all personally, but also for a world that is marred with such war and conflict," said the Rev. Douglas J. Leonhardt, associate executive director in the Office of Mission and Identity.

Mission Week first began five years ago by the Rev. Dan McDonald, the first executive director in the Office of Mission and Identity, Russell said.

The week will offer students "ways to get creative about where to build peace," said Matthew Manning, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences and member of the Mission Week Steering Committee. "Peace can be in all things," including service, fellowship and justice, he said.

Student involvement in this year's Mission Week is "greater than ever before," Russell said.

The week of events begins today with "Mission Week Kick-Off" from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Union, Russell said.

There, the Natyarpana School of Indian Dance will perform, and students can taste ethnic Indian food, she said.

In addition, the Habitat Tool Drive, in which students can purchase and donate tools for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, will begin at this time, Russell said.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday and lasting throughout the week, the Faculty Commons will be open to all faculty and graduate students, Russell said.

"Research plays a very important role in what the university stands for," Leonhardt said. "So often research can be such an individual thing. The Faculty Commons will give teachers the opportunity to share research and make it more communal."

From 3:30 to 5 p.m. today, the "Third Annual Mission Week Symposium: Leaders Who Make a Difference in the Healthcare Field," sponsored by the College of Health Sciences, will take place in room 100 of Todd Wehr Chemistry Building, Russell said.

At 4:30 p.m. today, students can attend the "What if We Leave All the Children Behind? The Challenge of Teaching in the New Millennium" lecture in the AMU Ballroom B.

The lecture is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the School of Education and Teachers for Social Justice, she said.

From 12:30 to 12:55 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, students can visit the Chapel of the Holy Family in the AMU for "Peace Begins with Me: Retreats into Campus," Russell said.

On Wednesday, students can attend "An Evening with Thomas Merton: Mission and Spirituality in Our Daily Lives," a lecture given by Robert Deahl, Dean of the College of Professional Studies, Russell said.

The keynote speech of the week will be given by Arun Gandhi, grandson of the legendary Mahatma Gandhi, at 4 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre, Russell said.

At 10 p.m. Friday, students can attend Late Night Marquette, which will have a Mission Week theme, she said.

From noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, the College of Professional Studies is sponsoring "Forgiveness on the Path to Constructing Peace" in room 001 of Cudahy Hall, Russell said.

The Closing Liturgy will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Gesu Church, she said.

The Rev. Robert A. Wild will preside at the liturgy, Russell said.

"The week is designed for the students and faculty so they can appreciate that Marquette has a mission statement that has a lot of energy to it," Leonhardt said. "This will provide ways for them to experience what it is to be a Catholic, Jesuit school in our global village."

For more information and for a complete list of events planned for Mission Week, go to www.marquette.edu/missionweek.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Feb. 1 2005.