By Anna Corbett, Opinion Editor
Campus Ministry is a big part of what keeps Newman's Catholic identity alive, its organizers say, and recently, they’ve been working to expand the group’s reach to a wider Newman demographic.
Father Ed Herzog, who is in his first year as director of Campus Ministry, has collaborated with the group’s student-run board to help it expand and find new members.
One of those board members, junior Nathan Galicia, said that the group’s goal this year has been to bring in more students in hopes of expanding the love that Catholicism is meant to exude, even those who don’t identify with the Catholic faith.
“Although Campus Ministry mainly involves Catholicism, we want to grow our community,” Galicia said. “We are Catholic, but we want to give all Christians the opportunity to join our community.”
One of the many things that Campus Ministry has implemented is a committee that allows students to put more time and energy into events that can bring in more people. Galicia is the committee’s retreat coordinator and says his goal is to create a safe space for students to feel welcome and a part of Campus Ministry. This year, the goal was to expand the invitation to students outside of Campus Ministry.
“By reaching out to other school populations, we’re following the example set by Jesus, who reached out to all people, particularly those who didn't feel welcome by the religious establishment of his time,” he said “The aim is to invite all students, not just those already practicing the Catholic faith, to experience the transformative power of the gospel.”
One of the big events that Campus Ministry puts on every semester is a service trip that any Newman student can participate in.
“This trip offers students a chance to step outside their usual campus environment and engage in hands-on service work while also deepening their faith through shared experiences and community,” Herzog said.
Galicia said he also hopes a wider array of students will participate in the group’s Cor Ad Cor (Latin for heart-to-heart) retreat, scheduled for April 11-13 in Reading. This retreat is a time for participants to grow spiritually and develop community before the Easter season, he said.
Campus Ministry also hosts planned events at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday, free to all students.
“I think that there has been an unintentional separation between our group and others,” Galicia said. “The Campus Ministry organization has become a close group that has sadly pushed others away in the past. My goal is to bridge that gap and bring others back into the mix.
“We have a small but mighty community that has the desire to grow our relationships and community.”
PHOTO: Courtesy, Father Edmund Herzog
