News from RSL

Holy Week & Easter Worship Opportunities (March 23, 2026)

As we enter into the Christian Holy Week and Easter, please find information about local worship services below.

If you have any questions or want help with locating specific denominations or congregations, please get in touch with Chaplain Alex Hendrickson (hendrica@lafayette.edu)

Maundy Thursday – Thursday, April 2:

4:30 pm – Stations of the Cross in Colton Chapel

6:00 pm – First Presbyterian (333 Spring Garden St.)

7:00 pm – Cornerstone Evangelical Free (411 March St.)

7:00 pm – First United Church of Christ (229 Church St.)

7:00 pm – Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic (132 S. 5th St.)

7:00 pm – St. John’s Lutheran (330 Ferry St.)

7:00 pm – Trinity Episcopal (234 Spring Garden St.)

7:30 pm – College Hill Presbyterian (501 Brodhead St.)

Good Friday – Friday, April 3:

12:00 pm – College Hill Presbyterian (501 Brodhead St.)

3:00 pm – St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic (900 E. Washington St.)

3:00 pm – Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic (132 S. 5th St.) – Spanish-language Mass

7:00 pm – Trinity Episcopal (234 Spring Garden St.)

7:00 pm – St. John’s Lutheran (330 Ferry St.)

Holy Saturday – Saturday, April 4:

7:00 pm – Trinity Episcopal (234 Spring Garden St.) – Easter Vigil

8:00 pm – St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic (900 E. Washington St) – Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday – Sunday, April 5:

6:30 am – Easton Community Sunrise Service (Scott Park, 130 Larry Holmes Dr.)

8:00 am, 10:30 am – Greater Shiloh (403 Pastor Fred Davis St.)

8:00 am – Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic (132 S. 5th St.)

8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm – St. Jane Frances de Chantal Roman Catholic (4049 Hartley Ave.)

9:30 am – Trinity Episcopal (234 Spring Garden St.)

8:30 am, 10:30 am – College Hill Presbyterian (501 Brodhead St.)

10:00 am – Cornerstone Evangelical Free (meets this day at The State Theatre, 453 Northampton St.)

10:00 am – First United Church of Christ (229 Church St.)

10:30 am – First Presbyterian (333 Spring Garden St.)

10:30 am – St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic (900 E. Washington St.)

10:30 am – St. John’s Lutheran (330 Ferry St.)

11:30 am – Christ Community (510 West Burke St.)

12:00 pm – Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic (132 S. 5th St.) – Spanish-language Mass

No Catholic Mass or other Easter services will be held on campus. Please plan on attending one of the services listed above. If you would like to see a broader list of local congregations, please consult our website: https://religiouslife.lafayette.edu/off-campus-worship-opportunities/ 

Spirited Well-being (February 25, 2026)

Are you interested in participating in a pilot program that brings together mental health and spirituality? Fill out the form here to learn more!

Ramadan at Lafayette (February 5, 2026)

Dear Lafayette Community,

The Office of Religious & Spiritual Life would like to share updates on Ramadan, halal dining, Dean’s Verifications, and how to offer hospitality to our Muslim community members.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayer, self-reflection, and community. In 2026, the holy month is expected to begin and end on the following dates:

• Expected Start: The evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (with the first day of fasting on February 18).
• Expected End: The evening of Thursday, March 19, 2026.
• Eid al-Fitr: Expected to be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Note: Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, these dates are tentative and depend on the sighting of the new crescent moon.

What to Expect During Ramadan

During this month, many adult Muslims observe a fast from dawn until sunset. This involves abstaining from food, drink, and certain other physical needs.

Why is Ramadan observed?

Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is a time for believers to strengthen their relationship with God, practice self-discipline, and increase charitable acts (zakat) to empathize with those less fortunate.

How can I support Muslim colleagues and peers during Ramadan?

Consider holding food-related meetings after sunset or at least be aware that some folks may not be able to eat during daytime hours. Flexibility is key during this time, as some people observing Ramadan may experience fatigue, especially during the afternoon.

Dining Services & Ramadan

Religious Life and the Muslim Student Association board are once again working with Dining Services to have appropriate meals available for Ramadan. We are especially grateful to our student leaders for giving of their time to help achieve this goal.

Parkhurst Dining, Lafayette’s dining services provider, labels Halal meals with an “H” symbol on their nutritional information boards. Additionally, Parkhurst is working with Operations, Religious Life, and an external organization to prioritize integrity and inclusion by ensuring that Lafayette dining services meet strict Islamic dietary and ethical standards. This process will include some facility modifications to the Marquis dining hall kitchen over the summer of 2026. Details of the Marquis certification will be shared and the physical certificates will be posted once the external organization has approved.

Outside Restaurants 

Religious Life is working to compile and verify a list of local restaurants that offer certified Halal food. If you would like access to this list, please contact Chaplain Alex Hendrickson (hendrica@lafayette.edu).

Best Practices for Academic Settings

Supporting students during Ramadan requires an empathetic understanding of both the physical rigors of fasting and the month’s intense spiritual commitments. Fasting involves abstaining from all food and drink from dawn until sunset, which can lead to fluctuations in mental clarity and energy.

To foster an inclusive environment, professors should consider the following accommodations:

• Instructors are encouraged to be flexible. Students may struggle with late-afternoon exams or presentations due to low energy. Offering early morning assessments or rescheduling deadlines to times when students are better nourished can help maintain academic performance.
• For classes held during sundown, students may need short breaks for “Iftar” (breaking the fast with water and dates) and evening prayers.
• Observance varies by culture and individual health. Avoid asking students if they are fasting, as reasons for exemption (such as health or personal conditions) are private.

By offering these adjustments, faculty ensure that students can meet their academic obligations without compromising their religious commitments.

Dean’s Verification for Religious Observances

For religious observances that would require an absence from class, students can submit requests using the Dean’s Absence Verification form. Students should speak with their professors before submitting to determine if a verification is required and, if so, alternative plans for make-up work. If your request is granted, the student and faculty will be notified by email. 

Both students and faculty should review syllabi early in the semester to determine potential conflicts; please visit the Religious and Spiritual Life page for a list of major holidays happening this semester. 

Students who celebrate Ramadan do not have to wait until the start or end date has been determined to submit a request. If verification is no longer needed, students should attend class as usual. If you have questions about this process or religious observances in general, please contact Rabbi Alex Malanych (amalanyc@lafayette.edu) or Chaplain Alex Hendrickson (hendrica@lafayette.edu) in the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.

We wish our Muslim friends a blessed Ramadan. May this time of fasting bring peace, spiritual growth, and joy to your homes and communities.

Yours,

The Office of Religious & Spiritual Life