February 2-9, 2014 marks Catholic Students' Week, initiated by Canadian Catholic Campus Ministry. We asked two students involved in ministry at the Newman Centre Catholic Chaplaincy in Toronto to reflect on the importance of Catholic ministry on university campuses.
Nathan Fernandes, 2nd year Civil Engineering
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| Nathan Fernandes |
Before university, I attended a Catholic high school where my faith was very much intertwined with my studies. We learned through the lens of Catholicism. It was easy to get involved in clubs such as chaplaincy. In university, it takes more of an effort to live out the Catholic faith because there are other religions and viewpoints all around. At first, it took me a while to get involved because it was tough to adjust to the new academic setting. Since becoming involved with ministry at the Newman Centre, I have found it increasingly easy to live out my faith. Being a Student Campus Minister, I am totally immersed in all the wonderful events happening at the Newman Centre. It brings me a lot of joy to plan these events, participate in them and help bring people closer to Christ, which has helped me draw closer to Him as well.
Being able to openly share my faith with the people who come into Newman and the university students we encounter has made me realize I really love evangelizing! Living in this inspirational community, praying every week with one another and checking in with each other’s prayer life helps us all grow in holiness and experience fellowship. We complement each other in our ministries by bringing to the table all the unique gifts and talents that God has bestowed upon us.
During my first year of university, I was a bit lost in my faith. I found my program very challenging and began devoting the majority of my time to schoolwork. It is never good to lose that balance and put schoolwork above God. Living at the Newman Centre has taught me to live out my faith while also striving for balance between academics and social life.
During my first year of university, I was a bit lost in my faith. I found my program very challenging and began devoting the majority of my time to schoolwork. It is never good to lose that balance and put schoolwork above God. Living at the Newman Centre has taught me to live out my faith while also striving for balance between academics and social life.
Natalie Doummar, 1st year Christianity and Culture
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| Natalie Doummar |
Attending classes on a secular campus has made me realize how much I yearn to evangelize to my peers. In high school it wasn’t too difficult to live out my faith— it’s easy to be Catholic in a Catholic environment but university is a much more diverse environment. I am constantly being challenged, but I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily a bad thing—interreligious dialogue has only strengthened my faith.
In a society with a lot of differing viewpoints, it is often scary to speak out and defend one’s faith. Living at the Newman Centre, however, has been an immense blessing. I feel like a battery getting recharged. Living here is providing me with the courage, strength and knowledge to live and share my faith and to learn to be like Jesus. It’s so empowering to share my faith with others. Moving to Newman was the first time I had lived away from my family. That’s the most fun; it’s like constantly being on retreat! It is great to be surrounded with like-minded people who are strong in their faith; we can lean on one another when needed. The solidarity is so visible! We have become a family, accepting each other’s differences.
Overall, participating in all of the wonderful activities at the Newman Centre has helped me grow, carrying on my chaplaincy experiences from high school and developing them in university. Newman is definitely a central aspect of my university adventure and I consider it foundational in the building of my faith.
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| Newman Student Campus Ministers |