• The theme for Mission Week 2009 is iAct:Consequences of Faith.
• The whole university community is invited to reflect on how individuals' actions impact them and others.
• The keynote speaker for this year is Shirin Ebadi, a human rights activist from Iran.

Marquette's Mission Week 2009 focuses on the consequences of faith and justice in our community and around the world.

It also offers an opportunity to step back and see how each individual is impacted by Marquette University, said the Rev. Douglas Leonhardt, S.J., associate director of University Mission and Identity, who presided over an all-university Mass Sunday to kick off the week.

In his Homily, Leonhardt said, "That's precisely what we are doing in Mission Week, stepping back from our day-by-day business as students, faculty and administration, and taking a long view of who we are as a Jesuit, Catholic University and how this impacts us as individuals."

The purpose of Mission Week is tied to this year's theme: "iAct: Consequences of Faith." Leonhardt said individuals are challenged to decide whether or not to accept the impact God has on their lives. When they do, they see that faith has consequences for themselves and others around them, he said.

The Office of International Education is one of multiple campus offices sponsoring events this week, such as book and poetry discussions.

"When one examines faith, we have to examine cultural exchange. Our offices facilitate those cultural exchanges," said Susan Whipple, assistant director of OIE.

Janelle Smith, a freshman in the College of Health Sciences, said she appreciates Marquette's emphasis on "Cura Personalis" and "Men and Women for Others."

"Not many universities stress the importance of ethics and faith in the professional world. That is what makes Marquette, Marquette," Smith said.

The events for this week are meant to reflect the consequences of faith and justice. The Mission Week keynote speaker is Shirin Ebadi, a human rights activist and first female judge in Iran, who will speak Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Union Monaghan Ballroom. Students and faculty got the last of free tickets for the event last week. For those without tickets, there will be about 150 extra seats in AMU 157 to view a simulcast of Ebadi's speech, Leonhardt said.

Other events include the State of the University Address by University President the Rev. Robert A. Wild, S.J., at 3 p.m. in the Monaghan Ballroom Tuesday. Clarence Page, a Chicago Tribune columnist, will give the William R. Burleigh Media Ethics Lecture on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the Monaghan.

The planning for the events of Mission Week began in early September, Leonhardt said.

He said the planning committee was made up of faculty from various departments and offices of the university including Campus Ministry and the Office of Student Development. Although the committee was in charge of much of the planning, other groups are part of Mission Week because it is a celebration of the whole school, Leonhardt said.