friendship

How can we become good friends?

"The only way to have a friend is to be one."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Friendship" (1841)

readings

Aristotle, "Nicomachean Ethics" (c. 330 BCE)
C. S. Lewis, “The Inner Ring” (1944)

refractor

Marlyn Batista is Rector of Cavanaugh Hall. A native of the Dominican Republic, she grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, and then studied at Northeastern University in Boston. She has served as a youth minister, worship leader, and high school teacher. While earning a Master of Divinity degree at Notre Dame, she discovered the joys of residential life as an Assistant Rector in Cavanaugh. Her “Basic Life Skills” YouTube series explains everything you need to know to thrive in a residence hall.

Zack Imfeld is a Director of Residential Life and oversees the areas of recruitment, hiring, and retention. He also supports the work of nine Rectors and their residence halls. Originally from Burbank, California, he earned a Master of Divinity degree at Notre Dame. He then served as the Rector of Morrissey Hall for seven years, focusing his ministry on bringing residents together around homemade food and fellowship. He enjoys smoking meats, watching the Portland Timbers, and walking the Camino de Santiago.

co-curricular events

Dating at Notre Dame w/ Prof. Mattison and Moreau Peer Leaders

Oct 1, 6

Dating is now...outdated. This event invites students into that project through a clip from "The Dating Project" movie, reflections from Moreau Peer Leaders about dating, and a discussion of impediments to and possibilities for dating at Notre Dame.

Note: If you attend this “Dating at Notre Dame” co-curricular event, then you may complete the associated Dating Assignment for the Called Life Lab and write about that experience. Learn more

"RED CUP" performance w/ Film, Television, and Theatre

Oct 11

Want a drink? "RED CUP" is a one-act documentary theatre performance inspired by written essays from Notre Dame students on drinking culture and friendship at college. Enter into the stories of a small group of Notre Dame students, and the profound effect alcohol has had in their lives and relationships. Learn more

called life life: taking initiative

Due in class by session 10: rest

Life Labs are engaging, interpersonal activities related to course topics that you complete on your own. You and your classmates will complete these activities during the same time period, enabling a shared communal experience.

This Life Lab invites you to practice taking initiative in friendship or community. Such action may be one way of responding to a calling to recognize the belovedness of others.

called life life: taking initiative

Additional Resources

Watch an illustrated introduction to Aristotle’s account of human flourishing as depicted in his Nicomachean Ethics.

Watch the documentary, Tolkien and Lewis, about how the writing of C. S. Lewis was shaped by his longtime friendship with the Catholic novelist J. R. R. Tolkien.

Watch a video by Residential Life on the benefits of community life on campus.

Read Pope Francis’s encyclical on the importance of friendship called Fratelli Tutti.