THE IN AGGIELAND. Aggie catholics. St. Mary s Prepares to Welcome New Catholics! Spring 2012 St. Mary s Catholic Center College Station, Texas

Transcription

1 Spirit THE IN AGGIELAND Spring 2012 St. Mary s Catholic Center College Station, Texas Director of Campus Ministry Fr. David Konderla dkonderla@aggiecatholic.org Associate Pastor Fr. Will Straten 00 wstraten@aggiecatholic.org For a complete list of St. Mary s staff and their ministries: Aggie catholics gather in Houston! On February 25th, 220 Aggie Catholics, families and friends gathered at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart for Mass, followed by a barbeque dinner. Father David Konderla, director of campus ministry, Scott Blasik 10, former president of Texas A&M s Catholic Students Association, and current student Carolyn Ledlow 12 spoke about the ministry and programs of St. Mary s. Father David also presented Aggie Father Lawrence Jozwiak 80 with a framed Aggie Madonna, which is given to Aggie priests and religious. St. Mary s Prepares to Welcome New Catholics! During their college years, students make decisions that affect the rest of their lives. This Easter nearly 50 students will make the profound and life-changing decision to join the Catholic Church. Joining the Church can be a difficult journey, but these students do not travel alone. They have been prepared by the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). RCIA is the process through which they learn what the Church teaches, experience the Catholic community of St. Mary s, and participate in rites that demonstrate the Church s love, care and invitation to join. They are also accompanied by godparents and sponsors, as well as a 32-member RCIA team. At the Easter Vigil on April 7, the students will either enter the Catholic Church through the sacrament of baptism or by making a profession of faith if they have already been baptized in another Christian tradition. In addition, all will receive the sacrament of confirmation and make their first Holy Communion. Eden Morris 12 grew up in the Baptist tradition, and attended a non-denominational church. She was friends with Daniel Revier 12, but decided not to date him because he did not consider himself to be Christian. Five of Daniel s Aggie Catholic friends encouraged him to attend the Aggie Awakening #92 retreat. I was hooked. Catholicism just made sense, said Daniel. He took his newfound enthusiasm for the Catholic faith to Eden, who said, After going to Mass, I really liked the tradition, meaning and the physicality of the sacraments. She too became an enthusiastic RCIA participant. It feels like I m rediscovering my faith, said Eden. Not only did they find the truths of the Catholic faith, they also found each other, and are engaged to be married. Eden and Daniel agree, The RCIA program is wonderful and so is the community at St. Mary s. For more information about hosting an Aggie Catholic gathering, please contact Greg Gorman: (979) ggorman@aggiecatholic.org

2 From the desk of Fr. David The Catholic Church and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have been in the news a lot lately standing up for religious freedom the freedom to practice our faith and administer our institutions according to our beliefs. When we see this kind of encroachment by the state, it is easy to become fearful and discouraged. Yet, at St. Mary s, we have many reasons to go forward with hope. Every day I see faithful young Catholics, who not only strive to live their faith wholeheartedly, but also, by their words and deeds, are encouraging their friends and classmates to do the same. The result is that a HUGE group of students will join the Catholic Church this Easter. Our Aggie Catholic family and the entire Church are enriched when we witness these students freely choosing to be baptized and profess their faith as Catholics. They are making a counter-cultural statement; a statement that amplifies the voice of the Church in proclaiming our right to live our faith. The responsibility of Catholic campus ministry is to encourage all students to move beyond their initial baptismal yes. We endeavor to form them into the moral and ethical leaders our society so desperately needs. That is, we want them to become Apostles for the Church and World. Thank you for your prayers and financial support. Please pray especially for our graduating students that God will bless them as they take the leadership skills they developed at St. Mary s to their parishes, communities and chosen professions. May God richly bless you this Lenten and Easter Season! Stewardship a way of life Spring Scholarship Winner Plans to be an Architect One day I hope to build beautiful structures like the ones I saw in Madrid while attending World Youth Day, said Ann Marie Casteel 15, the winner of the 2012 Spring Tuition Scholarship. Ann Marie plans to enter the College of Architecture and pursue a degree in environmental design. The scholarship awards her $5,000 toward her goal! The scholarship is funded by a generous benefactor to honor those who support Catholic campus ministry. Members of the Living Faith Society, St. Mary s electronic monthly giving program (see pages 4-5), and those who make a one-time gift of at least $250 during the fall semester are eligible to enter. The 2012 winner was Cheryl Casteel, and she designated her daughter, Ann Marie, as the recipient. This scholarship will help me continue being a student at A&M something I love and am proud to be said Ann Marie. Leaving a Legacy Being a good steward means that we make plans for the material goods God has entrusted to our care. As you make these decisions, would you prayerfully consider remembering St. Mary s Catholic Center (tax ID ) or the Aggieland Catholic Foundation Inc. (a permanent endowment benefiting St. Mary s, tax ID ) in your will, as a life insurance beneficiary, or in your estate plans? For more information about these and other giving options, please contact Eileen Kuvlesky, (979) ; (ekuvlesky@aggiecatholic.org). Foundation Grants Help St. Mary s Reach More Students With so many students entering the Catholic Church this Easter, St. Mary s asked the Harry S. and Isabel C. Cameron Foundation for a grant to purchase Bibles and other educational materials for the RCIA program. Thanks to the foundation s generosity, St. Mary s is able to supply the students with Bibles and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Westerman Foundation came to the aid of St. Mary s Youth Retreat Team (SMYRT), students who travel to parishes to lead high energy retreats for middle and high school students. Interested in helping SMYRT enhance their outreach, the foundation graciously provided funding for Bibles and sound equipment. The Spirit in Aggieland 2

3 Vocation Station A Religious Calling (pictured clockwise) Deacon Alvero Interiano 03 was ordained a transitional deacon for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on May 14, Deacon Charles Vreeland 05 was ordained a transitional deacon for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter on March 17, 2012 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska. Jesuit Deacon Brian Reedy 03 will be ordained a priest on June 9, 2012 at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. Brian Park 03 will be ordained a transitional Deacon for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis at the Basilica of St. Mary on May 5, Daughters of St. Paul Visit St. Mary s. St. Mary s hosted a meeting of the regional vocation directors of the Daughters of St. Paul during the week of February 6. Also known as the Pauline Sisters, they are dedicated to evangelization through media and social communication. Three postulants accompanied the vocation directors from the United States and English-speaking Canada. In addition to their meetings during the day, the sisters spent their evenings giving presentations and visiting with students. They also managed to have a lot of fun and quickly adopted the Texas Aggie Spirit! Seminary Sprinters Burn Up the Road. Nine young men and St. Mary s associate pastor Father Will Straten 00 embarked on a 1,800 mile roadtrip from January The travelers visited seminaries, abbeys and monasteries in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Louisiana. I felt there was no better way to learn about different religious orders and priestly life than to actually travel and visit them, said Colby Jackson 14. William Hayes 14, agrees, stating, Meeting with younger priests allowed me to place myself in their shoes and discern if I could one day become as dedicated as they are to a great cause. It was inspirational to meet devoted, happy and enthusiastic men praying for our Church and the entire world. Thousands of Aggies Observe Ash Wednesday The Bible and our Catholic heritage teach us that ashes are a sign of repentance, penance and conversion. At St. Mary s, Ash Wednesday was also one of the busiest days of the year as 5,000 students, faculty and staff embraced this ancient penitential practice. Throughout the day, St. Mary s distributed ashes at nine Masses. In addition to the church, Mass was celebrated in the Activity Center to accommodate the crowds, Rudder Theatre on the campus of Texas A&M, and at Blinn College. To reach out to those who do not typically attend Mass, student greeters welcomed all and passed out information about the Spring Semester programs and activities at St. Mary s. The Spirit in Aggieland 3

4 Two Retreats Challenge and Form Young Adult Catholics Busy Students Retreat: A Retreat in the Midst of College Life. From February 12-16, approximately 100 students were on a different kind of retreat the Busy Students Retreat. While fulfilling their responsibilities, the students spent 30 minutes a day in private prayer and 30 minutes a day in personal spiritual direction. They were also encouraged to attend Mass and participate in group prayer. The REVOLUTION Retreat. The REVOLUTION, a St. Mary s group that focuses on Blessed John Paul II s Theology of the Body teachings, sponsored a retreat February 3-5 at Holy Rosary Parish in Frenstat. The 90 students and staffers focused on the theme: Bearing the Torch: Love & Purity of Heart. Fourteen priests and religious from 13 different communities visited St. Mary s and served as spiritual directors. In addition to the spiritual benefits, the students also enjoyed learning more about the priesthood, religious life, and the history and work of the religious orders represented. The relaxed format included time for presentations, personal prayer, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and fun. Jake DeBolt 12 said, I really enjoyed the content and format. The retreat made a big impact on me. Howdy to Keith Myers 01! Keith has joined the staff as a Development Officer, focusing on the Houston area. Keith comes to St. Mary s from Pope John XXIII High School, where he served as Director of Institutional Advancement. If he looks familiar, he is not only a member of the Fightin Texas Aggie Class of 2001, but also served as Assistant Director of Development at St. Mary s from Welcome back Keith! LIVING FAITH SOCIETY One of the most significant ways you can contribute to St. Mary s is to join the Living Faith Society. An electronic monthly donation drafted directly from your checking account or credit card reduces fundraising overhead, helps with on-going operational expenses, makes donating simple through automation, allows you to budget a donation over time and provides a stable donation base. The Living Faith Society was formed in 1999 and today, nearly 850 members, including current and former students, parents and friends of St. Mary s donate automatically a set amount they determine on the same day of every month. It s easy because you don t have to remember to bring money to Mass. It s helpful because you can set your budget and keep your bookkeeping simple. It s rewarding because not only are you helping to keep this great ministry growing, you will also receive the Living Faith Devotional four times a year. This popular devotional provides a different scripture verse and short meditation for each day. You can increase, decrease, hold or discontinue your contribution at any time simply by calling St. Mary s. Please fill out this form to join the Living Faith Society and contribute to St. Mary s ministry. Thank You! Please clip and fill out the information on the other side. The Spirit in Aggieland 4

5 2012 Winner s Choice Raffle The lucky winner gets to choose either: $10 $25 $100 $250 $500 $1, Chevy Sonic Sedan 2012 Chevy Colorado Work Truck $15,000 Scholarship One (1) ticket Three (3) tickets Fifteen (15) tickets Forty (40) tickets Eighty-five (85) tickets One hundred eighty-five (185) tickets After $1,000 in tickets, each additional ticket: $5. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER AND WIN Catholic Student Association Nick Balser, President Father David Konderla, Director of Campus Ministry ENTRY ORDER FORM You can also order tickets online at I want ticket(s). (Make checks payable to St. Mary s) I have enclosed a check in the amount of $ Please charge my credit card: MC VISA DISC AMEX Credit Card #: Exp. Date: / Signature: Date: PLEASE PRINT Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Birthdate: Home Phone: Spring 2012 Raffle Guidelines: The drawing will be held at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on April 26, Winner need not be present to win. Proceeds benefit St. Mary s Catholic Center at Texas A&M University. All entries received after April 26, 2012 will be considered a donation. Suggested donations for tickets are listed on this order form. No limit on the number of tickets sold. The winner of the raffle is responsible for Tax, Title, and License; IRS withholding applies. Employees of St. Mary s Catholic Center, or their dependents, or their immediate family members dwelling in the same household are not eligible to win. No donation necessary to enter the drawing. One such ticket available per household. Ticket may be obtained by written request only, stating No Contribution with a business size, self-addressed stamped envelope. All entries must contain name, mailing address and phone number to be valid. Visit for complete rules. Ticket sold by (student or organization): PLEASE NOTE! If you purchase tickets and would like your stubs returned to you, you must enclose a business size, self-addressed, stamped envelope. Otherwise you will be entered in the drawing and your portion of the ticket will be held at St. Mary s Catholic Center. LIVING FAITH SOCIETY AUTOMATIC CONTRIBUTION AUTHORIZATION FORM CONTACT INFORMATION NAME ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP HOME PHONE CELL PHONE MONTHLY GIFT INFORMATION GIFT AMOUNT $ per month SCHEDULE St. Mary s will draft your account on the 5th of each month unless you prefer the 20th. I prefer the 20th. AUTHORIZATION I authorize St. Mary s Catholic Center to process this gift until otherwise instructed. Signature: PAYMENT OPTIONS CHECKING ACCOUNT BANK ROUTING # ACCOUNT # - OR - VOIDED CHECK ATTACHED CREDIT CARD VISA MASTERCARD AMERICAN EXPRESS DISCOVER # EXP. DATE / The Spirit in Aggieland 5

6 Spirit THE IN AGGIELAND St. Mary s Catholic Center at Texas A&M University 603 Church Avenue College Station, TX (979) SAVE THE DATES! Saturday, April 14 Hoedown Pro-Life Fund-Raiser Thursday, April 26 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Raffle Drawing Get your raffle tickets now! Profile in Faith Erica Gentsch 13 Meteorology Major The enthusiastic, friendly campus environment drew me to Texas A&M, and my cousin told me a lot of great things about St. Mary s. When I attended the Welcome Weekend retreat for incoming freshmen, I learned about Kappa Theta Beta (KTB), an inclusive Catholic sorority. Today, I am blessed to serve this wonderful group of women as KTB s president. KTB offers me fellowship and a way to bond with other Catholic women in an environment that supports my faith and moral character. Our sisterhood focuses on serving the Lord through spiritual, service and social activities. Catholic Social Justice Teachings in Seven Days! Aggie Catholics and friends spent the week of March focusing on the seven key principles of Catholic Social Teaching. One teaching was highlighted each day, with a focus on living these principles in the real world. On January 23rd, Aggie Catholics and friends demonstrated their commitment to the Catholic social teaching of respecting the life and dignity of the human person by participating in the Rally for Life in Austin. The day included Mass, a peaceful and prayerful march to the Capitol, and a party at the University of Texas Catholic Center. KTB enthusiastically supports the charitable work of the Church. One way we live this calling is to join with the Knights of Columbus to raise money for the Good Samaritan Gabriel Life Center. Our annual Hoedown benefit (April 14) not only provides funding, it also draws Aggies and the community together for a fun time! Through St. Mary s sponsored organizations, students like me have the opportunity to develop our leadership skills and develop an ethic of service which we will use to serve God after graduation. Thank you to all our benefactors, who have helped make St. Mary s THE BEST Catholic campus ministry in the nation! As Father David says, St. Mary s is truly forming Apostles for the Church and World!