One of the many Baptisms at St. Mary's Catholic Center at Texas A&M |
by Jacqueline Burkepile, Register Correspondent
Friday, May 24, 2013.
In his address to youth at World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002, Pope
John Paul the Great said, "Dear young people, let yourselves be taken
over by the light of Christ, and spread that light wherever you are."
Young Catholics at universities throughout the country extend this
light by answering questions concerning the Catholic faith in Protestant
and secular environments. Students from Baylor, Duke, Texas A&M and
the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) explained to the
Register how they keep the faith in college.
At Duke University, just-graduated senior Amy Wigger said that faith
was her priority, especially attending Sunday Mass. She tried to attend
one daily Mass per week, maintained a daily prayer life and used
resources the Duke Catholic Center had to offer.
"Making friends in the Catholic Center has proven an invaluable
resource for my faith," said Wigger. "Having friends with whom to
discuss my faith allowed me to grow in faith and holiness, in ways that
have been both unexpected and beautiful."
"It forces me to take my faith seriously and spend
time learning how to defend it."
Marcel LeJeune, assistant director of campus ministry at Texas A&M,
said the greatest test of faith he sees is the culture’s attack on
young people.
"Our youth are taught relativism and utilitarianism on a broad scale,"
said LeJeune. "Too many Catholic leaders and parents let the culture
have the upper hand. We need a renewal of evangelization and formation
of disciples in our families and parishes."
St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M in College Station is home
to one of the largest campus ministries in the country. Several students
from St. Mary’s explained how they remain strong in faith at a public
university.
Texas A&M’s newly graduated Troy Menendez said daily prayer was most important.
"Prayer is central to our lives as Catholics and must form the center of any spirituality," he said.
Menendez stressed that the Catholic community at St. Mary’s helped keep him grounded.
"Having a vibrant community challenged and encouraged me to continually seek after holiness in everything that I do," he added.
Katie Smith, also a new graduate of Texas A&M, said her greatest
challenge occurred when the faith was rejected or frowned upon in the
classroom.
"If my faith was challenged in the classroom, occasionally I raised my
hand and spoke about my own beliefs," said Smith. "However, if the
professor did not always welcome the Catholic opinion, I remained silent
and looked up the Catholic teachings that were challenged in order to
reinforce my own beliefs."
Father Paul Rospond, campus minister at UCLA, said many students
discover they are in an atmosphere where faith is not taken for granted.
He said the ultimate challenge is developing a deeper understanding of
the Catholic faith and learning to be a witness in a secular
environment.
"Through our preaching, spiritual direction and mentoring, we campus
ministers have the amazing opportunity to address a word of faith to our
young adults as they discern who they are, what they believe and how to
grow in relationship with friends, family and God," said Father
Rospond.
Kaitlin Collins, a M.A./Ph.D. student in Hispanic linguistics at UCLA,
is a student leader at the University Catholic Center. She said
ignorance is the greatest trial she faces, but she also considers it as
an opportunity to grow in faith.
"I am proud of my faith and where I come from; it’s just hard because I
feel as if I am always explaining myself," said Collins. "If someone
stumps me with a question or accusation about the faith, it is ample
opportunity for investigation."
Father Daniel Lu, chaplain and director at St. Peter’s Catholic Student
Center at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, said students are tempted to join Protestant ministries but blessed because they are welcome to speak of God openly.
Meredith Hale, who just completed her junior year at Baylor, said the Christian atmosphere strengthens her faith.
"I enjoy being able to interact with Christians of all different
denominations and share our common faith in the Trinity," said Hale.
"Learning about our differences and choosing that fullness of truth for
me, in communion with the Catholic Church, wouldn’t be the same anywhere
else."
Alex Scheibner, who just earned a master’s degree from Baylor,
converted to Catholicism in college. He said his faith is challenged by
his peers, but almost always in a charitable and loving fashion.
"This provides an excellent opportunity to educate our Protestant
brothers and sisters about the Catholic faith and challenge them to
re-examine what they believe about Catholicism," said Scheibner. "As one
who converted to Catholicism during college and coming from a
Protestant background, I can attest to God’s ability to use Catholic
students for his glory."
In terms of encouraging those struggling with faith in college, he
suggests that students examine the sources of meaning and purpose in
their lives.
"I am confident that they will discover the emptiness and lack of
fulfillment found in a life focused on secular achievement," said
Scheibner. "Growing to love and be loved by God, and allowing that love
to spill into all other areas of life, is the only path to true
happiness and fulfillment in life. It may be difficult to accept at
times, but God really is the only thing in our lives that is forever."
Matt Swaim, producer of EWTN Radio’s Son Rise Morning Show and co-author of the new publication Your College Faith: Own It!, also encouraged students to keep their faith strong.
"Stay connected with the sacraments. Read books that ground you. Find
someone older than you who has asked the same hard questions you have
and still came to the conclusion that the Church is the sanest place to
be," said Swaim. "If you use this time as an opportunity for radical
personal growth, you’ll look back on your college years with increasing
gratitude as you progress in your adult life."
Jacqueline Burkepile writes from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/stay-catholic-at-a-non-catholic-university/#ixzz2VChC3Eto