Joyfully Supporting the Mission of St. John Catholic Student Center: “Carrying to This World a Ray of His Light”

During his 2013 World Youth Day address, Pope Francis spoke the following words to millions of young Catholics: “You, too, dear young people, can be joyful witnesses of His love, courageous witnesses of His Gospel, carrying to this world a ray of His light.” This heartfelt message encourages young people to participate fully in the faith and reassures all of us that we can expect great things from the future of our Church. With this in mind, campus ministry programs seek to keep Catholic college students engaged with their faith. Here at St. Francis Xavier, we are happy to help our neighbor, St. John Catholic Student Center, fulfill this important mission!

“We have a number of parishioners who Students gather for the St. John work or volunteer at the St. John Catholic Catholic Student Center Sunday Mass. Student Center,” says Fr. Brian O’Brien. “The biggest ministry St. Francis Xavier parishioners provide is food. Food for college students is a big draw and a big way to build community. We also have parishioners who serve on the St. John Finance Council and the St. John Building Committee, and our priests frequently cover Masses and hear a lot of Confessions as well as serving as spiritual directors for OSU students.”

In addition to our priests and parishioners lending their time and talent to the St. John community, St. Francis Xavier has contributed the use of our physical space to the campus ministry as well. Our parish has hosted St. John events on our sand volleyball court, as well as in our youth center and parish hall. The St. John community will be moving into the old St. Francis Xavier space temporarily during the course of their new building project.

The relationship between the St. Francis Xavier and St. John communities is a great benefit for both our parish and our entire local area.

“Stillwater is a college town, so the students are critical to the life of the community,” Fr. O’Brien says. “Parishioners at St. Francis Xavier are enlivened and inspired by the faith of the college students. We have a number of students who help with religious education, youth group, and our preschool. We also have two St. John students on our parish staff, working in communications and facilities.”

As Fr. O’Brien points out, statistics show that if a young person is going to leave the faith, it will happen when they are between the ages of 16 and 24. Therefore, the college years are a critical moment in time for their spiritual growth and well-being. For this reason, our parish seeks to support Fr. Kerry Wakulich, the FOCUS ministries, and the St. John staff in any way possible.

With our two faith communities working together, all of us at St. Francis Xavier and St. John enjoy a closer walk with Christ and envision a strong and vibrant future for our universal Catholic Church!

“St. John Catholic Student Center is good for St. Francis Xavier and St. Francis Xavier is good for St. John,” Fr. O’Brien says. “The priests work well together, the staffs work well together, and the people are so supportive of both parishes.”