Campus Ministry Resources for Parishes

Be aware that students will be going back at a variety of times (some start mid or late-August, some start as late as mid-September even) and that it could be a very good idea to do this blessing for a few weeks in a row. Maybe ask students who are headed of to school “this week” to stand and be prayed for.

As the new school year approaches, we want to ask God’s very special blessing upon all those of our community here that are heading off to college. Some will travel away from home while others will stay very close. For all though, this will be a time of great change as they encounter the world in new ways. They will meet many new people, hear many new ideas and learn much.

God Has created each of us for some definite service in life. He has committed to each of us individually something that He has not committed to anyone else. For so many young people, college is an important time where they figure out where God is calling them to serve, who God is calling them to be. Make the most of these days ahead of you- live fully, and learn well.

And so, we bow our heads and pray, “God we love these young college students who stand in our midst today. We know that You love them deeply as well and that Your Spirit is always with them. Hear our special prayer for them today. May they grow in knowledge through the classes they will take. May they grow in wisdom through the experiences they will have. Just as they pour themselves into life at their campuses, may the also pour themselves into life with You. There is much to learn at college, but there is infinitely more to know about You.

May they always be mindful of your mercy and ever mindful of our love for them. Protect them, and form them so that they will do Your work in this world, bringing love where there is hatred, faith where there is doubt, joy where there is sorrow and light into all the darkness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

COLLEGE-BOUND Aug-19-2005 (580 words) With photo. xxxn
Parish offers spiritual send-off for college-bound youths
By Chris Donahue
Catholic News Service

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CNS) -- Some of the college students who are part of the faith community of St. Bartholomew Parish in East Brunswick commute to classes, while others travel hundreds of miles to reach their home on campus. But no matter where their academic careers take them, the parish has tried to make the students feel connected to their Catholic faith, despite the temptations and challenges they face, through its Coffee and Conscience program. The program -- which recently ended its fifth year -- is a summer series for college students and the college-bound, said Carolyn Barszcz, parish council president. At the three weekly meetings, Msgr. Michael J. Alliegro, pastor, is joined by guest speakers in discussions focusing on maintaining a Catholic identity on campus, the principles of Catholic social teaching and putting faith into action. The final session of this year's Conscience and Coffee program concluded with a prayer service and send-off blessing Aug. 8. The day before, college students were honored and prayed for during the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Bartholomew.

Msgr. Alliegro said the series is also a good way to get students to continue be a witness for their faith, especially through Christlike behavior. "For many of them it's their first time away from home in terms of getting to church and the other things," he said. Patricia DePinto, 26, who will attend Rutgers University in New Brunswick, also has a career as a buyer for a clothing company. "It's a morale booster," DePinto said about the Mass. "It makes me feel a little bit better, a little more confident going into the whole situation, especially when you're working full time, going to school part time and then you have to plan a wedding" -- her own, next year.

Patrick Gaston, 18, who will attend Rider University in Lawrenceville, said it was nice to receive support from the parish and to know that "you have a lot of people behind you." Gaston has served as a lector, choir member and altar server in the parish.

Barszcz's 22-year-old daughter, Jacquelyn, a graduate of the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, participated in the Conscience and Coffee program while she was a student. Now an employee for a medical supply company, Jacquelyn maintains strong ties to the church, serving as a member of the parish council, eucharistic minister, religious education teacher and social committee member.

"It's very hard to maintain the Catholic identity" in college, she said. "People don't experience it until they get onto the campus. Then they see everything around them -- the wide variety of people, the different ethnic groups, the different religions that all come into play, and when you look at that and when you see that you have the security of always coming back to your own church, to see what people have offered you in your own town, it brings you closer to what you're involved in.

"Knowing they're praying for you helps," she added. "And when people do special things for you, you remember it more." Carolyn Barszcz said the program is worthwhile if it will help the students remember where their spiritual roots are. "At least they still feel part of the church," she said. "Whenever I send them anything, I include, 'You're known and loved at St. Bart's,' so no matter where they go, they're always part of St. Bart's and should feel comfortable and have a Catholic identity."

Offer a Special Blessing at Mass	Parishes can offer a special blessing at Masses in August and September as students get ready to head of to college. View a draft.
Point the College Students to the Newman Center	Hundreds of campuses across the country- Catholic, non-Catholic, residential, commuter, community colleges- have centers, clubs, student organizations and campus ministers organizing Mass, classes, service projects, retreats, Bible studies, social events and many other opportunities for college students. To find out if your school has a Newman Center, Catholic Student Parish or any type of Catholic student outreach, you can go the website of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association a where they keep a listing of all the Catholic Campus Ministries throughout the country. The site is: www.ccmanet.org/ccma.nsf/campussites?OpenPage Or, be in touch with us- we know all about this stuff and can even help you get one started if your campus does not have any such programs. Take a look at the "Starting Campus Ministry" brochure.
Off To College Brochure/Flyer/Handout	Use ours (its a PDF), or craft your own.
Hang a Pennant	This is a very good, practical idea for parishes that have college campuses close by. The Catholic students are probably attending your church, but they didn't exactly announce themselves as being there. Go to the college bookstore, purchase a pennant and hang it in your narthex or lobby. Maybe add a sign with the pennant that says "Welcome."
Make "Faith Survival Kits"	These kits could include a Bible, a Rosary and a how-to-pray the Rosary booklet. How about a Catechism or some similar resource for youth (as an example, Saint Mary’s Press puts out a fine book called The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth). Phone numbers, contact information, email addresses… Get creative, have fun but be serious too. You may also want to make arrangements to send your students care packages in the mail around the times of mid-terms and final exams. They all pray a lot at those times!
Make Your Own Hopes Known	Parents, grandparents, friends, pastors, brother and sisters, anybody!- don't be afraid to share a few hopes that you have for this young person's faith. "I hope you will always be involved at Church." " I hope you keep growing in your Catholic faith." Demands or ultimatums become burdensome, but sharing a hope shows your care and concern for them and also shows that you value something deep in your own faith- it is not a burden to you.
Talk about Your Own Faith	The message of Jesus spread so quickly in the early days of the Church because the apostles and disciples were excited to share it with anyone they could. Tell this young person in your life why Jesus is important to you. Don't hide the times of doubt or confusion either. Real people have doubts about lots of things including God. It is totally acceptable when people doubt and wonder and question. Young Adulthood and the college years are naturally a time of great questioning. Be honest. God can handle doubts and questions.
Put a Message in Your Bulletin	Ask your pastor to craft a bulletin message and run it in the early part of August. He could remind the students that he is still their pastor while they are away at school and he could invite them to be in touch with him (share his email or instant message address, phone number). Most young people won’t likely end up calling, but knowing that they could if they needed to is a powerful thing.
Is Your Parish in the 21st Century?	Technology is no passing craze. Do you have a website? Is it up-to-date? Does it reflect the activities of your parish and show that you are a prayerful, active community? Do you use email? Do you use instant messaging? What about offering Podcasts of Masses, homilies or special events for people to download and listen to from their Ipod? Don't know what all that means? We may need to chat!
We Can Offer a Presentation or Discussion	Our staff in the Office of Campus Ministry can prepare a presentation for parents or students at your parish to talk about what going off to college means for a student's faith life. What should parents expect? What can students look forward too? What are the big questions and what are the trends and resources available? Call us at (815) 834-4022 or email us. No fees.
Organize Back-From-College Events	Host a pizza night, Theology on Tap, Faith at College discussion, or social event for college students at the parish when the students are back from campus for Christmas break or summer even. We have a letter from Cardinal George and Bishop Imesch that went out to priests about this very effort in November 2005. Read the article "College Bound" as an example of a successful summer program one parish was hosting for its young adults in college.

	Youth and young adults are dynamic people and sometimes parishes struggle with reaching them effectively. We're glad you are looking at this section of our web page. A little effort can go a long way in engaging the faith of young people. Sometimes they need a little patience, a place where they can ask hard questions from time to time and a community that challenges them and helps them grow. Here are some ideas- be in touch if you think you need some more. kodonnell@dioceseofjoliet.org (815) 834-4022

Ideas for Passing the Faith to College Students and Young Adults