鈥淭here are about 18,000 Catholics on campus. Not all of those people know that the Newman Centre exists,鈥� said Erin Kinsella, associate director of campus ministry at the Newman Centre. 鈥淧art of their responsibility (as student campus ministers) is determining the different ways to go out to students.鈥�
Last semester, the SCM team went to busy locations on campus for about two hours each week to seek out students and spark up conversations. They called this initiative 鈥淭ake a Prayer, Leave a Prayer.鈥� In exchange for a student鱿鱼视频app prayer intention, the student ministers gave them candy and a small passage of Scripture.
鈥淚t does allow us to get into really good spiritual conversations,鈥� said Lisa Caballero, a student campus minister at Newman Centre. 鈥淚 remember this one guy and he asked us why are you doing this. At first, he was super skeptical, wondering what we would get out of it鈥� He didn鈥檛 even have an idea of how you could form an intention.鈥�
The student, Caballero said, was in the music program. So she and other ministers helped him write an intention, praying to be inspired by the next music piece he works on.
鈥淲e got to talk with him and at the end, he said, 鈥榊eah, I think I will check out the Newman Centre,鈥� and we made a connection that way,鈥� said Caballero.
Caballero is studying biology and chemistry at the University of Toronto Mississauga. She moved into the Newman Centre at the beginning of this school year and is enjoying the ministry program and being a part of the Newman community.
鈥淭hrough the program, student ministers learn concrete skills in evangelization, gain a deepening prayer life and what it means to serve,鈥� said Kinsella.
During this winter and spring semester, the SCM team is running two outreach projects. One team is setting up a booth weekly at the corner outside the centre at St. George Street and Hoskin Avenue, giving away hot beverages and striking up conversations with passers-by.
Caballero and another student minister, Conchita Mary D鈥橲ouza, are working on a video series for their next outreach project. One video has a Valentine鱿鱼视频app Day theme.
鈥淲e were out on the street asking people what love is,鈥� said Caballero. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping to include their answers in the video and then share a little catechesis on what the Church teaches us about love.鈥�
Students chosen for the campus ministry program are required to commit 12 to 15 hours of ministry each week. A maximum of 10 students move in to the Newman Centre for a spring/summer or fall/winter term. Student ministers are also called to participate in the community through liturgy and outreach.
鈥淚t鱿鱼视频app always a struggle. We鈥檙e always thinking about what is the best way for us to build these relationships with people when we first meet them,鈥� said Caballero. 鈥淚t鱿鱼视频app really great when we have people that come on their own鈥� but I think sometimes people need a personal invitation just to know that they are welcome. By going out, it kind of shows that we are taking the first step.鈥�
The residency program was created in 1994 by Fr. Thomas Rosica when he led the Newman Centre. Although the focus of the program has evolved over the years, Kinsella said the idea of instilling values of service and evangelization hasn鈥檛 changed.
Fr. Patrick O鈥橠ea was the Newman Centre chaplain from 2000 to 2009. Taking over the position from Rosica, he and Fr. Patrick Douglas developed the comprehensive application process to the SCM program.
O鈥橠ea said that it is a sign of the residency program鱿鱼视频app success that many alumni are still connected to God. He still receives letters from many of the students.
鈥淥ne of the fun things about the program is that people actually meet and marry one another,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 must鈥檝e done a couple of weddings for people involved in the program. I鈥檓 doing one this summer. I鈥檝e baptized children for these couples. There have been seminarians and priests, as well.鈥�
Applications for the student ministry program opened on Feb. 16. The campus ministry team is accepting applications from students age 18 to 35 attending a post-secondary education in the Greater Toronto Area. Kinsella said they are looking for students who are established in their prayer life, practising Catholics, organized, responsible and manage their time well.
鈥淭hey don鈥檛 have to have it all,鈥� said Kinsella. 鈥淲e鈥檙e looking for open hearts and the desire to grow closer to God.鈥�
To apply, e-mail erin@newmantoronto.com