Being Catholic @ College
 

A Guide for Your First Year of Transition

 SAVE the DATE - Off to College - Freshman Survival  July 18, 2012 6:00 - 9:00 pm 

Congratulations!  You are on your way to college!  Whether you are planning to attend a four year or two year institution your experiences as a Catholic on campus will be exciting and challenging.  Just as you will grow in your academic knowledge, so too should you grow in your understanding and expression of your faith.

To do this well, you will need to connect with other Catholic students, faculty and community.  Being a part of the People of God always calls us into community to assist in living our lives as disciples. Here are some ideas to help you make a connection with a community:

Before you arrive on campus:

• Go to your college’s website to see if there is a Catholic campus ministry at your school.
• Depending on the kind of institution you will be attending, sometimes Catholic Groups are listed under student organizations and clubs or student affairs
• If you are attending school in the Diocese of Buffalo, go to the Buffalo Campus Ministry page
• If you are attending a college outside the Diocese of Buffalo go to the website of the diocese in which your school is located to find out about their campus ministry programs or visit the Campus Ministry Links provided by the Catholic Campus Ministry Association.
• Find the name of a local parish
• Ask your youth minister, contact the Young Adult Ministry Coordinator or Campus Ministry representative to help you find a community
• We'll help find your Campus Ministry too!  Click here for the College Connection Program.
• Download a copy of Your Life At College:  10 Suggestions For Living Your Catholic Faith While in College

When you arrive on campus:

• Ask around to see if anyone is planning on going to church-remember that you can invite others so that no one has to go alone!
• Try going to different types of gatherings...even if you've never tried a particular way of praying or volunteering, stretch yourself!  Sometimes there's free food & drink too!
• If there isn’t a Catholic student club on your campus, start one up! Remember that you are called to be a force of transformation!
• Use all of your gifts and be open to learning new things about yourself.
• Find out if events are being held at other campuses or parishes and bring a group over...contact the local campus ministry or student organization and plan joint events
• If you are living at home, consider starting a faith sharing group for young adult Catholics—resources and ideas are available through the Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, contact Laurie Marshanke at lmarshanke@buffalodiocese.org

When you come home:

• Tell your home parish about your experiences, especially seniors in high school  
• Talk with other students who are on break to see what they are doing on their campuses - borrow ideas!  
• Participate in local events - send your email address to lmarshanke@buffalodiocese.org to recieve more information.

Local & National College Campus Ministry Links

Diocese of Buffalo Catholic Campus Ministry

Catholic Campus Ministry Association

National Catholic Student Coalition