The Catholic Campus Ministry at Monmouth University is heading in the right direction for a reshaping, revival, and relaunch of the club for this 2015-2016 academic year.
With an average of about eight people per week attending weekly Sunday mass last year, members of the Catholic Campus Ministry were ecstatic to have such a large turnout on the first mass of the school year, having around 20 attendees.
Sophomore business finance administration major Darby O’Kane, who is the Secretary and the head of Publicity for the club says, “It was so awesome to see so many people come to Mass. It was a big difference from last year and it’s really cool that people were interested in becoming a part of the club. I have high hopes for it this year.”
The main focus of the Catholic Campus Ministry is to serve the students, faculty, and staff at Monmouth University as well as build a strong community through Christianity and faith.
“Most importantly,” says sophomore biology major and Catholic Campus Ministry President Emily Beyer, “we are trying to fulfill God’s plans for this group and ministry.”
With the promotion of faith formation, leadership, personal development, and evangelization, the Catholic Campus Ministry urges anyone interested to participate with them in worship, prayer, volunteer service, and their upcoming events with faith and fun. The Catholic Campus Ministry is welcoming Christina D’Averso, the new Campus Minister. She is a graduate of Villanova University and The John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, who received her Masters in Theology. She is eager to work with everyone at Monmouth University to grow spiritually, as well as on a personal level.
“I am here as a resource for the campus community and willing to speak to students not only about faith, but about personal struggles,” says D’Averso. She is “excited to meet and work with the students, faculty and staff at Monmouth University to assist them with spiritual growth and fellowship.”
Some events that the Catholic Campus Ministry has planned for the month of September are open to interested members as well as all of Monmouth University. These events include a Bible Study/Lectio Divina on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 8:00 pm and a Welcome Back BBQ on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 5:00p.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
“It is really important to us that everyone feels welcome at the Catholic center and at our events, and we want to create a group that people want to come back to and be a part of ” says Beyer, “We are really trying to get the word out and grow our membership.”
Mass is held weekly on Sunday nights at 7:00p.m. in the Catholic Center, located behind Birch Hall/the Health Center, where they encourage anyone to come and celebrate liturgy. Father Mark Nillo , who is Chaplain as Red Bank Catholic High School is the Sacramental Minister for Monmouth and says Mass each week.
Not only does the Catholic Campus Ministry hold events, and Mass, but they also have ample opportunities for volunteer service. They offer opportunities at St. Jerome School and Parish in West Long Branch that include tutoring the school children and engaging in pro-life at the Parish.
They also work with the Missionaries of Charity with their homeless and afterschool programs as well as their soup kitchen, and with Interfaith Neighbors also helping with their soup kitchen and meals on wheels.
