VT Catholic Campus Ministry 2026 Issue 1

Everyday Service Not only do our students serve on week-long spring break trips, but our ministry also provides daily opportunities for service through our Newman Service Squad. Hear about it from student Madie Clarke: “The Service Squad at Newman gives me the opportunity to bring other Catholic Hokies out into local communities to share our faith through service projects. It is an opportunity to go outside of our comfort zone, and truly encounter those living in poverty or experiencing hardship and to accompany them in faith. Being able to serve, even in small ways, has opened my eyes to the struggles of others and taught me more about being Catholic. Volunteering in the Blacksburg and Christiansburg communities shows another side of our mission: to evangelize, live out Christ’s teaching, and share the love of Christ with others through our actions. In college, it’s so easy to focus on myself, on my goals, and on my schedule. Serving has helped me to think of others more, to care for the needs of others, and to give my free time to those in need. Spending time with local kids, doing yardwork for local churches, and having dinner with homeless folk have been some of the most impactful and influential aspects of my college experience so far.”

(Evelyn, Madie, Brady, and Sy from left to right)

From Freshman to Fisher of Men

Our Bible Study numbers continue to grow each semester as new students answer the call to evangelize their peers. One of those students is freshman Piero del Castillo.

“My experience in FOCUS Bible studies has been great. I appreciate the organization and structure that I have been led through so far. I also greatly enjoy the friends I have made through my Bible study, since we are able to make time to actually talk about life and the faith. I really benefit from every meeting because I can see ways in which God is inviting me to be better and to accept his love and graces.

(Isaac, Piero, Kalib, and Matthew from left to right)

I wanted to start my own Bible study in order to serve others more in my life. When my Bible study leader asked me if I would be interested in leading one, I told him yes because I thought it would be super fun. For me this just felt like the next step.

It has been amazing and fulfilling being able to lead. The thought and hope of impacting even one person’s life through my study brings me joy and makes the time I put into each meeting more than worth it. I also didn’t realize how much I would learn by prepping for each study. Hearing what stood out to other people from the passages helps open my eyes to something I may not have realized about it. I have also, by God’s grace, gotten more formation through leading others in this way.”