VT Catholic Campus Ministry Fall Newsletter

From the Chaplain

Fall in Blacksburg never disappoints! We’ve been blessed with an above average number of sunny, cool days here in the mountains this year, and I rejoice that the fall foliage reminds us of what a wonderful thing it is to be a Hokie! We have seen large crowds at Mass, Sunday Suppers, and our Fall Retreat. Additionally, our new Wednesday Pour Into Others coffee house has been very busy. In so many ways, I have been able to see God at work in our Campus Ministry, in our students, and amongst our staff. One of the great gifts of being a priest, especially at Virginia Tech, is seeing young people discover their vocations. It has been a great privilege walking with students who are discerning a dating relationship, an engagement, and even a wedding. This year I’ve been at several Hokie weddings, including the wedding of the couple featured on the back page of our newsletter. It is a cause of joy when Catholic Hokie alumni return to campus for a game and are able to share their vocation stories with our Newman Community. Students discerning their vocations; Hokie weddings, consecrations, and ordinations; and alumni making the trip back to Blacksburg: these things all enrich our ministry. One of the amazing fruits of our Catholic Campus Ministry is the number of alums discerning priesthood and religious life. Over the past few years, we have witnessed a number of Catholic Hokie deacons and priests be ordained and seen recent alumni enter seminary or continue on their path of discernment. I’m proud of so many of these Hokies, and I rejoice that Newman is a place where students come to encounter the Lord and ponder great questions about God’s plan for their lives. Our Catholic Hokies are responding to the love of God, and the practice of their faith opens their hearts to how God might be calling them. They are trusting in the Holy Spirit and making courageous commitments to live their lives in service to God and family. I’m so inspired that these fruits of faith are being revealed; they are signs of God’s work in our ministry. Thank you for supporting us in this mission.

Servant Leaders Jules Fedak, Student Campus Minister Ben Rubinich, Asst. Student Campus Minister Hugh Grennan, Music Minister Nolan Conroy, Community Minister Margo Del Giudice, New Evangelization Minister

Megan Reese, Liturgy Minister Olivia Smaltz, Outreach Minister

RaeAnna Kelly, Communications Minister Clare O’Herron, Christian Formation Minister Cameron Pellei, Service and Justice Minister

FOCUS Team

James Lutz, Team Director Andrew DeCelle, Veteran Missionary Madelyn Bauer, Second Year Missionary Nicholas Pluemer , Second Year Missionary Lourdes Navarro , First Year Missionary

Prayerfully,

Father Tom Yehl, Y.A.

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