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The Mercy Center for Spiritual Life will hold its 14th annual Festival of Lights: A Jubilee of Mercy at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2 in Ochre Court. This multi-faith, multicultural gathering will celebrate the richness of God’s mercy and our determination to bring the light of mercy to the world.

The evening will include the lighting of the Hindu Diwali Diyas, the Jewish Menorah, the Christian Advent Wreath and the Muslim Fanoos. Sacred music and movement artists Christopher and Katherine Carbone will lead a participatory dance for mercy, and students from the Extensions Dance Company II will also perform.

In response to Pope Francis’ declaration of a Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Festival of Lights will be a time for members of the Salve Regina community to come together to pray, to sing, to reflect and to express in dance a desire for an outpouring of Mercy in our world.

The Festival of Lights anticipates the official beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy on Dec. 8, when the University community will gather at the gates of Ochre Court to celebrate our opening of the Jubilee with the theme “Mercy Empowers.”

“A celebration of mercy at an institution founded by the Sisters of Mercy is appropriate and exciting,” said Anna Mae Mayer, director of the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life. “The next year will be a wonderful opportunity for all of us to re-examine the gift of mercy in our lives and how we are able to make mercy manifest in whatever we do and in wherever we go.”

Two faculty members from the U.S. Naval War College will visit Salve Regina Wednesday, Dec. 2 for a candid conversation about U.S. strategy in the Middle East.

Sponsored by the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, “The Legacy: What’s Next for U.S. Policy in the Middle East?” will be held at 7 p.m. in the Bazarsky Lecture Hall.

Fourteen years after the attacks of September 2001 focused American attention on the Middle East, civil war, extremism and uncertainty in the region continues to vex U.S. policymakers and threaten U.S. interests.

What’s at stake? What can the United States hope to achieve in the region? What is the best path ahead for U.S. policy makers to consider? These and other questions will be addressed by Dr. Timothy Hoyt, professor of strategy and policy, and Dr. Hayat Alvi, associate professor of national security affairs.

As seating is limited, those interested in attending are asked to register online. For more information, contact the Pell Center at (401) 341-2927 or pellcenter@salve.edu.

Everyone knows about Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Now, Dec. 1 has been designated #GivingTuesday, and people across the globe are joining together in acts of giving as part of a new holiday tradition.

On #GivingTuesday, people everywhere – including retailers, charities, online organizations, community centers, individuals, families and more – come together with one common purpose: to help others and incentivize ways to give more, give smarter and celebrate the spirit of giving.

Salve Regina has joined this international celebration of generosity, and encourages members of the University community to make their annual gift on this day. Whether they support The SALVEfund, scholarships or a favorite Seahawk team, gifts impact the campus and the lives of students.

“We already have a day that acknowledges giving thanks, and we have two days to acknowledge deals and shopping, so this is a day to kick off the season of giving and encourage philanthropy,” said Alison Bognuda, annual giving officer, operations.

Salve Regina is encouraging alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends to consider giving back and supporting the University in celebration of #GivingTuesday. Make a gift online.

#GivingTuesday started after a group of friends, partners and philanthropy experts, led by the 92nd Street Y, came together to find ways to promote and celebrate the great American tradition of giving. Thought leaders in philanthropy, social media and grassroots organizing joined to explore what is working in modern philanthropy and how to expand these innovations throughout the philanthropic sector.

The Angel Trees, from which individuals pick a tag and purchase a gift item for a local child in need, have once again appeared throughout campus. All members of the Salve Regina community are invited to participate in the Angel Tree program.

Angel Trees are located in McAuley Hall, McKillop Library, Mercy Center for Spiritual Life, Miley Hall, O’Hare Academic Center, Rodgers Recreation Center, Wakehurst and the Center for Adult Education in Warwick. Gifts will benefit children in need through Child & Family, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, the Salvation Army and the Tashirat Orphanage in Mexico.

Tags on the trees list a child’s name, age and wish. Donors are asked to choose a tag from the tree, purchase a gift and return it in a gift bag or unwrapped to the Office of Community Service in Wakehurst, Room 201 by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Please make sure to attach the label to the gift.

This is the 12th year that Salve Regina is participating in the Angel Tree program. For more information, contact the Office of Community Service at (401) 341-2440 or community.services@salve.edu.