Catholic Campus Ministry Newsletter 2024 Issue 2

From the Chaplain

Fr. Tom’s Faves Favorite Hokie Tradition Tailgates at the Newman House

large crowds at Mass or St. Peter’s Square, yet so much of our faith is about what goes on in personal Our faith and Church is so big that we often only think of

Favorite Dad Jokes Q: What do you call a cow with two legs? A: Lean Beef!

relationships. “Accompaniment” is a word Pope Francis uses from time to time when encouraging Christians to walk with one another, assist each other in living out the faith, and sharing the faith with others who we encounter. Our human need for quality friendships and relationships is a big part of being a healthy person and reveals what is so important about our faith.

Q: What do you call a cow with no legs? A: Ground Beef!

Favorite Album from College Joshua Tree by U2

In the Gospels, we often see Jesus working miracles and transforming lives in one on one encounters or small groups. In Mark’s story of the healing of the blind man, Bartimaeus (10: 46 - 52), Jesus waits for him to call out over the crowds, and then he tells the man to approach. It is then that Jesus engages in a conversation with Bartimaeus face to face and invites the beautiful and very human statement, “Master, I want to see.” Now Jesus could have healed him from a distance, but he desires to have a personal encounters with each of us. At Newman, our small group Bible studies are our biggest ministry outside of Sunday Masses, and they are something we are particularly proud of. This year our five FOCUS Missionaries and the students they disciple lead 45 Bible studies made up of around 350 students. These students walk with one another as peers and accompany each other on the path to holiness. This model of guided discipleship allows our students to interact, to share their lives, and to encounter the Word of God in ways that speak to their hearts. One of the most gratifying moments I get to experience as chaplain is when a student knocks on my door after having an encounter with another student on campus - a student who desires to learn more about the Catholic Church and to better live their faith. Beginning with my time as a student in campus ministry, my time in community with Youth Apostles, and even now, I’ve witnessed how small Catholic communities not only help us to practice our own faith, but they inspire us to encourage others to grow deeper in theirs as well. Please pray that our Newman Community will continue to be a source of new encounters and accompaniment in faith.

Kathleen Calvin, Team Director Andrew DeCelle, Veteran Missionary Andy Eastman, Second Year Missionary Madelyn Bauer, First Year Missionary Nicholas Pluemer, First Year Missionary FOCUS Team Servant Leaders Stephen DeCelle, Student Campus Minister Tallie McGirr, Asst. Student Campus Minister Gia Rogers, Music Minister Nick Eastman, Community Minister Ryan Hepler, New Evangelization Minister Tibby Heard, Liturgy Minister Zach Moore, Outreach Minister RaeAnna Kelly, Communications Minister Virginia Fehrer, Formation Minister Sabrina Whearty, Service and Justice Minister

Prayerfully,

Father Tom Yehl, Y.A.

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