10 tips for college freshmenStaying connected to your faith

By JENNIFER MERTENS

So, you’re a college freshman — finally on campus and tasting the newfound freedom of undergraduate life.

Between going to student life events, professor meet-ings and library study marathons, you already found the closest coffee shop. IKEA and Target are your new best friends. Maybe you’ve shrunk a few loads of laun-dry or overslept without a parent knocking at the door.

Welcome to this new adventure, packed with opportuni-ties for you to challenge and expand yourself in the class-room and the world beyond. As you navigate the indepen-dence of college life, don’t forget to explore and nourish your faith as well. During these formative years, lots of possibilities are available for growing closer with God.

Consider the tips below: 1. Hang out at your campus ministry center. Your

college or university has a central place for you to get plugged into faith life on campus. Catholic campus min-istry centers, also called Newman Centers, are worlds in themselves, where you can find such offerings as small faith groups, service opportunities, regular worship and even midnight pizza parties. Take an afternoon: Walk in, check out the upcoming events, and connect with a whole community of fellow students and ministers.

2. Meet your college chaplain or campus minister. Some have offices at the campus ministry or Newman Cen-ter — others may even live in your dorm! Find a chaplain and drop by to introduce yourself. Usually, colleges and universities host ministers from many different religious backgrounds ready to listen, support and walk with you during your college years. Catholic campus ministers may coordinate weekly prayer services or small faith commu-nities. They meet individually with students, host Bible studies and offer great snack food. As invaluable role mod-els and guides, campus ministers can also offer specific resources and suggestions for getting involved on campus.

3. Join a small faith group or intentional commu-nity. It’s a great way to meet other students interested in reflecting together and growing closer to God. Small groups can focus on any sort of topic, such as Scripture or prayer, and they can be a specific women’s or men’s group. Your school may also offer the chance to live in community with students who share similar values or

interests. For example, St. Louis University offers the Mi-cah Program (micah.slu.edu) — a social justice living community in which undergraduate students study, pray and serve together. Whatever it is, find a community that nourishes and challenges you. Got an idea for a new group? Chat with a campus minister about forming your own!

4. Sign up for a theology or religious studies course. Be prepared for a whole new world to break open. What-ever your area of study, don’t hesitate to check out the course listings and find a topic that intrigues you. Wheth-er it’s Christology, social justice or comparative religions, the intellectual challenge of the classroom will deepen your faith in unpredictable ways. The church, Scrip-ture, liturgy, the cross: Different elements of our faith will take on new meaning as we fully engage and stimu-late our mind. You’ll also get the chance to meet peers who are similarly interested in growing intellectually.

5. Find a spiritual director. Hands down, one of the best

By PAT MARRIN

SAN ANTONIO . Sr. Mary McCauley, her sil-ver hair framing a classic Irish face,could easily seem a diminutive nun inher 70s looking at retirement after alifetime in the classroom or conventadministration. But circumstancesand, she would say, divine providenceput her at St. Bridget Church as pas-toral administrator in May 2008, whenhundreds of FBI and Immigration andCustoms Enforcement agentsswooped down on the tiny town ofPostville in northeastern Iowa toround up hundreds of undocumented— mostly Guatemalan — workers at akosher meat-processing plant. Alertedto the raid, McCauley put out theword to the workers and their fami-

lies, “Tell them to come to thechurch.”

For many, the Postville story hascome to exemplify the human tollexacted by a failed immigration poli-

cy and the challenge to churches torespond with courage and compas-sion on an issue of decisive impor-tance to our national identity — and

Continued on Page 13This

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28.

REPORTERNATIONAL

CATHOLICT H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S S O U R C E

www.NCRonline.org FEBRUARY 4, 2011 Vol. 47, No. 8 | $2.95

Immigration: ‘Tell them to come to the church’

By CHRISTINA S.N.

LEWIS

ONGATA RONGAI, KENYA . In thecool early morning hoursof Jan. 14, I was awak-ened by piercing screams.Again and again, thewomen screamed.

I did not know it then,but gunmen had brokeninto the complex of theEvangelizing Sisters ofMary, an African order ofCatholic sisters where Iwas spending the night.

When the men came to

her door and demandedmoney, Sr. Levina Ka-likwela grabbed a small,gold-veneered framedpicture of the VirginMary with the baby Je-sus.

“They entered and Iheld it,” the sister toldme the next day, stand-ing in her destroyed bed-room. “I said, ‘God,we’re finished.’ And Ijust held it like this.”She grasped the picturein both hands and held itover her head.

The men hit the pic-ture with their knife,breaking it, Kalikwelatold me.

“They were askingme,” said Kalikwela, hervoice cracking. “And Iwas telling them I haveno money. I have nomoney.”

That night the gunmenmurdered one of thecompound’s guards.While they did not physi-cally harm the sisters,they manhandled three,

Continued on Page 8

ANALYSIS

By MICHAEL SEAN WINTERS

The U.S. bishops releasedtwo letters to members ofCongress late last month thatoutline the “principles and pri-orities that guide the public pol-icy efforts” of the U.S. Confer-ence of Catholic Bishops.

The first letter, signed bythe newly installed confer-ence president, ArchbishopTimothy Dolan of New York,exhorts the lawmakers to pro-tect human life from concep-tion to natural death. “Ourprayers and hopes [are] thatthis newly elected Congresswill advance the commongood and defend the life anddignity of all, especially vul-nerable and poor personswhose needs are critical inthis time of difficult economicand policy choices.”

The letters were dated Jan.14 and released to the publicJan. 18.

Dolan pledges to “seek waysto work constructively withthe administration and thenew Congress and others ofgoodwill to pursue policieswhich respect the dignity of allhuman life and bring greaterjustice to our nation and peaceto our world.”

The second letter — signedby Cardinal Daniel DiNardoof Galveston-Houston, headof the pro-life committee;Bishop Stephen E. Blaire ofStockton, Calif., chairman ofthe justice and human devel-opment committee; andArchbishop José H. Gomez ofLos Angeles, chairman of themigration committee — dealt

Continued on Page 12

Letters outlineUS bishops’

policy priorities

—NCR photo/Christina S.N. Lewis

Anna Mary Henrietta Nyangoma, general superior of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary inOngata Rongai, Kenya, turns away as policemen examine the corpse of a watchman slainon the convent’s grounds Jan. 14.

Sr. Mary McCauley, left,stands with immigrantsIsabel Ampora andthree of her fourchildren, who wereallowed to return toPostville, Iowa, Dec. 4,on a visa granted toworkers who werevictims of crimes at theAgriprocessors plant.

—Judy Callahan, BVM

AFRICA: A REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

Sisters and thievesAttack highlights all too common African violence

SPECIAL SECTION

DEACONSLetter to newly ordained;new statistics on deaconsin US; and more PAGES 1a-8a

BISHOP RUIZ Champion of poor andindigenous in Chiapas,Mexico, dies at 86 PAGE 11

COLUMN

GUN CULTURE Guns are tools with a very limited use

in our worldPAGE 16

US NEWS

BEATIFYINGJOHN PAUL IITension between personalholiness, public actions PAGE 5

By PAT MARRIN

SAN ANTONIO . Sr. Mary McCauley, her sil-ver hair framing a classic Irish face,could easily seem a diminutive nun inher 70s looking at retirement after alifetime in the classroom or conventadministration. But circumstancesand, she would say, divine providenceput her at St. Bridget Church as pas-toral administrator in May 2008, whenhundreds of FBI and Immigration andCustoms Enforcement agentsswooped down on the tiny town ofPostville in northeastern Iowa toround up hundreds of undocumented— mostly Guatemalan — workers at akosher meat-processing plant. Alertedto the raid, McCauley put out theword to the workers and their fami-

lies, “Tell them to come to thechurch.”

For many, the Postville story hascome to exemplify the human tollexacted by a failed immigration poli-

cy and the challenge to churches torespond with courage and compas-sion on an issue of decisive impor-tance to our national identity — and

Continued on Page 13This

issue

was

mail

ed on

Jan.

28.

REPORTERNATIONAL

CATHOLICT H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S S O U R C E

www.NCRonline.org FEBRUARY 4, 2011 Vol. 47, No. 8 | $2.95

Immigration: ‘Tell them to come to the church’

By CHRISTINA S.N.

LEWIS

ONGATA RONGAI, KENYA . In thecool early morning hoursof Jan. 14, I was awak-ened by piercing screams.Again and again, thewomen screamed.

I did not know it then,but gunmen had brokeninto the complex of theEvangelizing Sisters ofMary, an African order ofCatholic sisters where Iwas spending the night.

When the men came to

her door and demandedmoney, Sr. Levina Ka-likwela grabbed a small,gold-veneered framedpicture of the VirginMary with the baby Je-sus.

“They entered and Iheld it,” the sister toldme the next day, stand-ing in her destroyed bed-room. “I said, ‘God,we’re finished.’ And Ijust held it like this.”She grasped the picturein both hands and held itover her head.

The men hit the pic-ture with their knife,breaking it, Kalikwelatold me.

“They were askingme,” said Kalikwela, hervoice cracking. “And Iwas telling them I haveno money. I have nomoney.”

That night the gunmenmurdered one of thecompound’s guards.While they did not physi-cally harm the sisters,they manhandled three,

Continued on Page 8

ANALYSIS

By MICHAEL SEAN WINTERS

The U.S. bishops releasedtwo letters to members ofCongress late last month thatoutline the “principles and pri-orities that guide the public pol-icy efforts” of the U.S. Confer-ence of Catholic Bishops.

The first letter, signed bythe newly installed confer-ence president, ArchbishopTimothy Dolan of New York,exhorts the lawmakers to pro-tect human life from concep-tion to natural death. “Ourprayers and hopes [are] thatthis newly elected Congresswill advance the commongood and defend the life anddignity of all, especially vul-nerable and poor personswhose needs are critical inthis time of difficult economicand policy choices.”

The letters were dated Jan.14 and released to the publicJan. 18.

Dolan pledges to “seek waysto work constructively withthe administration and thenew Congress and others ofgoodwill to pursue policieswhich respect the dignity of allhuman life and bring greaterjustice to our nation and peaceto our world.”

The second letter — signedby Cardinal Daniel DiNardoof Galveston-Houston, headof the pro-life committee;Bishop Stephen E. Blaire ofStockton, Calif., chairman ofthe justice and human devel-opment committee; andArchbishop José H. Gomez ofLos Angeles, chairman of themigration committee — dealt

Continued on Page 12

Letters outlineUS bishops’

policy priorities

—NCR photo/Christina S.N. Lewis

Anna Mary Henrietta Nyangoma, general superior of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary inOngata Rongai, Kenya, turns away as policemen examine the corpse of a watchman slainon the convent’s grounds Jan. 14.

Sr. Mary McCauley, left,stands with immigrantsIsabel Ampora andthree of her fourchildren, who wereallowed to return toPostville, Iowa, Dec. 4,on a visa granted toworkers who werevictims of crimes at theAgriprocessors plant.

—Judy Callahan, BVM

AFRICA: A REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

Sisters and thievesAttack highlights all too common African violence

SPECIAL SECTION

DEACONSLetter to newly ordained;new statistics on deaconsin US; and more PAGES 1a-8a

BISHOP RUIZ Champion of poor andindigenous in Chiapas,Mexico, dies at 86 PAGE 11

COLUMN

GUN CULTURE Guns are tools with a very limited use

in our worldPAGE 16

US NEWS

BEATIFYINGJOHN PAUL IITension between personalholiness, public actions PAGE 5

November 6-19, 2015

—CNS/Tyler Orsburn

Students at The Catholic University of America walk amid the snowfall on the campus in Washington.

things you can do for yourself. Especially at a time in life when you’re making big choices about your future, it’s such a gift to have someone walk with you through all the ups and downs of young adult life. Despite the name, spiritual direc-tors don’t really “direct” — but rather accompany you in dis-cerning God’s presence and calling in your life. They’re like a chaplain, but one with whom you can talk regularly and intentionally. Don’t be afraid to meet with a few spiritual di-rectors until you find one that fits. To learn more, check out Spiritual Directors International at www.sdiworld.org.

6. Explore other faith traditions and denominations. The high school bubble has popped and the world’s your limit. Take these years as a perfect opportunity to learn about other religions beyond your own. Attend a worship service, study group or interfaith event. Seek out and build friendships with people of diverse religious backgrounds. Developing awareness and respect for other religions is critical in today’s pluralistic world. As we grow in apprecia-tion for the connections between and uniqueness of various faith traditions, our own Catholic identity can be enriched.

7. Get off campus and serve your local community. There’s a world beyond the hundreds — or thousands — of 18- to 22-year-olds on your college campus. It’s great to connect with peers, but don’t lose sight of the many gifts offered by people younger and older than yourself. Explore Catholic organizations and service opportuni-ties. Be intentional about connecting with a multigenera-tional community. Make a difference by tutoring children, volunteering at a local soup kitchen or visiting a nurs-ing home. Don’t get totally caught up in insular college life — continue to expand and explore the world beyond.

8. Take an alternative spring break trip. Want to make a difference this spring break? Sign up to participate on a

spring break service or solidarity trip abroad. These op-portunities can connect you with the global church, build lasting friendships, and foster your understanding of an-other culture or spirituality. Oftentimes, Catholic univer-sities offer service trips for students to learn and engage with a specific religious community ministering in anoth-er part of the world. You can guarantee that such experi-ences will be formative and impactful for years to come.

9. Plug into national and global Catholic organiza-tions. There are tons of resources out there. If you’re read-ing this article, you’ve already connected with the National Catholic Reporter. Check out other Catholic publications and organizations. Pax Christi, for example, often has lo-cal university chapters that discuss and engage Catholic social teaching and justice work. Some organizations like the Jesuit Volunteer Corps are geared to support students in living out their faith beyond college. Whatever your in-terest area, talk with a campus minister or get online — there are more resources out there then you may imagine!

10. Carve out time for yourself. Talk a walk. Visit the chapel. Journal. Run. Meditate. Whatever it is, take some time just for you. Get to know yourself — your gifts and struggles, hopes and calling. You can get involved in all sorts of faith-based activities, but at the end of the day, it still comes down to how you are able to be real before God. Learn how to take individual time to reflect on your life, yourself and your relationship with God. Nothing else can substitute. This kind of interior reflection is crucial to nur-turing your faith through college and the years beyond.

[Jennifer Mertens recently completed her Master of Divinity from

the Catholic Theological Union. She teaches religion at a Catholic

high school in Cincinnati. Her columns appear online at NCRonline.

org/blogs/young-voices.]

NaTIoNal CaTholIC REpoRTER November 6-19, 2015

—CNS/St. Louis Review/Lisa Johnston

People pray at the Newman Center-Catholic Student Center on the campus of Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.

—Courtesy of the Micah Program

First-year students Kathleen Miller and Jacob Mitchell, members of the Micah Program at St. Louis University, serve at a work day with New City Fellowship in North St. Louis.

For more independent news, visit NCRonline.org. To subscribe to National Catholic Reporter, visit NCRonline.org/subscribe or call 1-800-333-7373.