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10 tips for college freshmen
BEATIFYING BEATIFYING JOHNJOHN PAULPAUL II II
Lettersoutline outline Letters bishops’ USUSbishops’ policypriorities priorities policy
AFRICA: A REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK AFRICA: A REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK
US NEWS US NEWS
Staying connected to your faith
Tension between personal Tension between personal holiness, public actions PAGE 5PAGE 5 holiness, public actions
ANALYSIS ANALYSIS
By MICHAEL SEAN WINTERS By MICHAEL SEAN WINTERS
By JENNIFER MERTENS
The U.S. bishops released The U.S. bishops released two letters to members of two letters to members of Congress late last month that Congress late last month that So, you’re a college freshman — finally on campus outline the “principles and prioutline the “principles and priorities that guide the public poland tasting the newfound freedom of undergraduate life. orities that guide the public policy efforts” of the U.S. Confericy efforts” of the U.S. ConferBetween going to student life events, professor meetence of Catholic Bishops. ence of Catholic The first Bishops. letter, signed by ings and library study marathons, you already found The letter, signedconferby BISHOP RUIZ the first newly installed BISHOP theence newly installed confertheRUIZ closest coffee shop. IKEA and Target are your new president, Archbishop Champion of poor and ence president, Timothy DolanArchbishop of New York, best friends. Maybe you’ve shrunk a few loads of launChampion of poor indigenous in and Chiapas, Timothy Dolan of New York, exhorts the lawmakers to proindigenous in Chiapas, dry or overslept without a parent knocking at the door. exhorts the lawmakers proMexico, dies at 86 PAGE 11 tect human life fromtoconcepMexico, dies at 86 PAGE 11 tecttion human life from concepto natural death. “Our Welcome to this new adventure, packed with opportunitionprayers to natural death.[are] “Our and hopes that ties for you to challenge and expand yourself in the classprayers and hopes [are] that this newly elected Congress thiswill newly elected Congress roomSPECIAL and theSECTION world beyond. As you navigate the indepenadvance the common SPECIAL SECTION willgood advance the the common and defend life and dence of college life, don’t forget to explore and nourish —NCR photo/Christina S.N. Lewis good and life and DEACONS dignitydefend of all, the especially vul—NCR photo/Christina S.N. Lewis Anna Mary Henrietta Nyangoma, general superior of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary in dignity of all, especially vulDEACONS your faith as well. During these formative years, lots of nerable and poor persons AnnaOngata Mary Henrietta Nyangoma, general superior ofexamine the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary inslain Rongai, Kenya, turns away as policemen the corpse of a watchman Letter to newly ordained; nerable and poor persons whose needs are critical in available for growing closer God. Ongata Kenya, turnswith away policemen examine the corpse of a watchman slain Letterpossibilities to newly ordained; on Rongai, the convent’s grounds Jan.as 14. new statistics onare deacons whose needsof are critical in this time difficult economic new statistics onmore deacons 1a-8a on the convent’s grounds Jan. 14. in Consider US; and the tipsPAGES below: thisand time of difficult economic policy choices.” PAGES 1a-8a in US; and more and policy choices.” The letters were dated Jan. 1. Hang out at your campus ministry center. Your The letters were dated 14 and released to the Jan. public college or university has a central place for you to get 14 and to the public Jan. released 18. Jan. 18. Dolan pledges to “seek ways plugged into faith life on campus. Catholic campus minDolan pledges to “seek ways to work constructively with istry centers, also called Newman Centers, are worlds in to the workadministration constructively and withthe thenew administration the of Congress andand others themselves, where you can find such offerings as small By CHRISTINA S.N. her door and demanded newgoodwill Congress others of to and pursue policies The men hit the picfaith groups, service opportunities, regular worship and LEWIS money, Levina Kawhich respect the dignity of all ture with knife, By CHRISTINA S.N. her door andSr. demanded goodwill to pursue policies The men hittheir the piclikwela grabbed a small,turebreaking even midnight pizza parties. Take LEWIS an afternoon: Walk human lifethe anddignity bring of greater it,knife, Kalikwela money, Sr. Levina Kawhich respect all with their —CNS/Tyler Orsburn ONGATA RONGAI, KENYA . In the likwela gold-veneered framed breaking justice our nation and peace told me. grabbed a small, human lifeto and bring greater it, Kalikwela in, check out the upcoming events, and connect with . picture of the Virgin told toof our world.” “TheyCatholic were asking ONGATA cool RONGAI,early KENYA morning In the hoursgold-veneered framed justice toAmerica our nationwalk and peace Students atme. The University amid COLUMN of fellow a whole community students and of Jan. 14, I was awak-ministers. Mary withVirgin the baby Je- “They second letter — signed me,” were said Kalikwela, her cool early morning hours picture of the to ourThe world.” asking the snowfall on the campus in Washington. COLUMN ened piercing sus. by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo “And of Jan. 14,or Iby was awak-screams. Mary with the baby JeThe second letter — signed me,”voice said cracking. Kalikwela, her I 2. Meet GUN yourCULTURE college chaplain campus minister. and again, the Galveston-Houston, head was telling them ened Again by piercing screams. sus. “They entered and I voice by of Cardinal Daniel DiNardo cracking. “AndI Ihave GUN offices CULTURE interests. For example, St. Louis University offers the MiSome have at the campus ministry or Newman Cenwomen screamed. held entered it,” the sister the pro-life committee; money. I have no Guns are tools Again and again, the “They and I told wasno of of Galveston-Houston, head telling them I have did not know it then, day, standStephen E. Blaire of money.” a very heldme it,”the thenext sister told of Bishop pro-life committee; no money. I have no Gunswith are tools cah Program (micah.slu.edu) — athesocial justice living ter — others may even live inwomen yourIscreamed. dorm! Find a chaplain but gunmen had brokenme the ingnext in her destroyed Stockton, Calif., That night the gunmen I did not know it then, day, stand- bed-money.” Bishop Stephen E. chairman Blaire of of limited use with a to very community in which undergraduate students study , pray and drop by introduce yourself. Usually , colleges and into thehad complex of the ing in room. “I said, ‘God, the justice andchairman human develmurdered onegunmen of the but gunmen broken her destroyed bedStockton, Calif., of That night the in our limited useworld Evangelizing we’re finished.’ And I murdered opment committee; and compound’s guards. into the complex ofSisters the ofreligious room. “I said, ‘God, thefind justice human develone ofWhatever the and serve together. it is, a and community that universities ministers from many different 16 in ourhost worldPAGE Mary, anSisters Africanoforder of just held it like Archbishop José H. Gomez While they did not physiwe’re finished.’ Andthis.” I opment committee; and of compound’s guards. 16 to listen, Evangelizing nourishes and challenges you. Got an idea for a new group? backgrounds PAGE ready support and walk with you Catholic sisters where She grasped the picture While Los Angeles, cally harm Mary, an African order of I just held it like this.” Archbishop Joséchairman H. Gomezofofthe they did the not sisters, physiwascampus spending the night. in both hands and held it committee dealt manhandled three, Chat with aharm campus minister about forming yourof—the own! during your college years. Catholic ministers may Catholic sisters where I She grasped the picture Losmigration Angeles, chairman callythey the sisters, Continued on Page 8 Continued ondealt Page 12 When the came to over her head. was spending the men night. in both hands and held it they migration committee three, 4. Sign upmanhandled for a theology or religious studies—course. coordinate weekly prayer services or small faith commuContinued on Page 8 Continued on Page 12 When the men came to over her head.
Sistersand andthieves thieves Sisters
Attack highlights all too common African violence Attack highlights all too common African violence
nities. They meet individually with students, host Bible studies and offer great snack food. As invaluable role models and guides, campus ministers can also offer specific resources and suggestions for getting involved on campus. By PAT MARRIN PAT MARRIN commu3. Join a small faith group orByintentional SAN ANTONIO . Sr. Mary McCauley, her silnity. It’s a great way to meetverother students interested framing a classic Irish face, . Sr. Mary SAN ANTONIO hair McCauley, her silcould easily seem to a diminutive nun in in reflecting together and ver growing closer God. Small hair framing a classic Irish face, her 70s looking at retirement after a couldof easily seemsuch a diminutive nun in groups can focus on any sort topic, as Scripture lifetime in the classroom or convent her 70s looking at retirement after a But circumstances or prayer, and they can belifetime a administration. specific women’s men’s in the classroom or or convent and, she would say, divine providence administration. But circumstances group. Your school may also offer the chance to live in put her at St. Bridget Church as pasand, she would say, divine providence toral administrator in May 2008, when community with students put who share similar values or her at St. Bridget Church as pas-
Be prepared for a whole new world to break open. Whatever your area of study, don’t hesitate to check out the course listings and find a topic that intrigues you. Whether it’s Christology, social justice or comparative religions, the intellectual challenge of the classroom deepen Sr. Mary will McCauley, left, stands with immigrants your faith in unpredictable ways. Sr. The church, ScripMary McCauley, left, Isabel Ampora and stands with immigrants ture, liturgy, the cross: Different elements three ofof her our four faith Isabel Ampora and children, who were will take on new meaning as we fully engage and three of her four stimuallowed to return to children, to whomeet were peers late our mind. You’ll also get the chance Postville, Iowa, Dec. 4, allowed to return to on a visa granted to who are similarly interested in growing intellectually . Postville, Iowa, Dec. 4, workers who were a visaone granted to best 5. Find a spiritual director. Hands on down, of the victims of crimes at the
mailed on Jan. 28.
d on Jan. 28.
Immigration: ‘Tell them to come to the church’ Immigration: ‘Tell them to come to the church’
hundreds of FBI and Immigration and toralCustoms administrator in May 2008, when Enforcement agents hundreds of FBI and Immigration and of swooped down on the tiny town Customs PostvilleEnforcement in northeasternagents Iowa to
—Judy Callahan, BVM
—Judy Callahan, BVM
workers who were Agriprocessors plant. victims of crimes at the Agriprocessors plant.
National Catholic Reporter
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 directors don’t really “direct” — but rather accompany you in discerning 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 directors 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 appreciation 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 opportunities. Be intentional about connecting with a multigenerational community. Make a difference by tutoring children, volunteering at a local soup kitchen or visiting a nursing 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
November 6-19, 2015
—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.
spring break service or solidarity trip abroad. These opportunities can connect you with the global church, build lasting friendships, and foster your understanding of another culture or spirituality. Oftentimes, Catholic universities offer service trips for students to learn and engage with a specific religious community ministering in another part of the world. You can guarantee that such experiences will be formative and impactful for years to come. 9. Plug into national and global Catholic organizations. There are tons of resources out there. If you’re reading this article, you’ve already connected with the National Catholic Reporter. Check out other Catholic publications and organizations. Pax Christi, for example, often has local 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 interest 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 nurturing 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
—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.
high school in Cincinnati. Her columns appear online at NCRonline. org/blogs/young-voices.]
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