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October 5, 2023Oklahoma college campus ministries strive to assist students navigate a mixture of academic pressure, peer influence and personal discovery. Rooted in Christ’s love, these ministries offer a supportive community, acceptance and lifelong friendships.
For many students like Macy Lewallen, a junior majoring in psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), the presence of a campus ministry like the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) has been a transformative force.
"The biggest thing is that it teaches me what prayer looks like and how to maintain it with a busy schedule. And what virtuous friendships look like and how they can be maintained after college,” Lewallen said.
Lewallen emphasized the importance of daily Mass, prayer, adoration and community gatherings like "Sunday Supper," where students come together to share a meal and build spiritual bonds. Through these experiences, Lewallen discovered not only the significance of prayer but also the profound impact of a Christ-centered community.
Campus ministries like Broncho Catholic, where Lewallen is involved, strive to meet students where they are in their faith journey. They create an inclusive environment where individuals from various denominations are welcome, fostering open-mindedness and meaningful conversations about faith.
Emily Sanchez, coordinator of campus evangelization at UCO, shares the ministry's mission. She emphasized that it is not just about creating a gathering space for like-minded individuals but a place of encounter with Jesus. Sanchez explained how their campus ministry makes the sacraments, prayer and adoration available to students as well.
Father Alex Kroll, parochial vicar Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond and chaplain for the UCO campus ministry, highlighted the importance of investing in college students. He acknowledged the critical role that this stage plays in the formation of lifelong disciples. It's a time when students make crucial decisions about their faith and future.
"It's important to accompany young people through the college experience," Father Alex said. "Jesus often doesn't have a place or a voice in that marketplace of ideas. It's important we do good campus ministry on campus and make sure the Lord has a say, and young people are encountering him."
Father Alex has witnessed the transformation that occurs when students enter college. It's a period where they can be authentically themselves, free from the confines of high school's common social pressures. College offers the opportunity for them to explore and deepen their faith.
Father Kroll emphasized the importance of providing a space for authenticity, good relationships and meaningful community. This welcoming atmosphere allows students to embrace their faith and connect with others who share their beliefs.
Father Kelly Edwards, pastor at Saint Eugene Catholic Church in Weatherford and director of Catholic Student Ministries at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, highlighted the urgency of investing in young adults during their college years. He pointed out that if nothing is done to support them during this crucial period, many young Catholics may drift away from the Church.
Father Kelly emphasized that vocations often start in college, shaping the trajectory of individuals who will soon contribute to their communities and parishes.
Lilly Pham, a senior at the University of Oklahoma, illustrated the importance of creating a vibrant and welcoming community.
"All of our events are, first and foremost, fun," Pham said. "Community and friendships are a priority for us. If you're not in the same place in your faith but want good friendships with people who will make you better, and if you're looking for fun things to do without succumbing to the cultural pitfalls of college life, then being involved with a good campus ministry is your place too."
As campus ministers and missionaries pour their hearts into nurturing the faith of young adults, they recognize the significance of these formative years. Alex Sanchez, director of marriage and family life in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma, reflected on the dramatic shift that occurs when students transition from high school to college.
"In high school, you're in a fishbowl," Sanchez said. "You can't do anything without everyone noticing. It's not normal to be faithful in high school. Yet, in college, there's an openness to authenticity and goodness. When the Gospel is preached, or there is someone who has real compassion or real care, or real interest in their life, in college, the person is so much more ready to receive."
College campus ministries provide a safe space for students to address the challenges of college life while nurturing a deep and authentic relationship with God.
As Sydney Brown, a freshman at the University of Oklahoma, aptly put it, "When you surround yourself with like-minded people who also want to serve God in their day-to-day life, only the best outcomes are possible."
Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photo: (Above) Fr. Alex Kroll and University of Central Oklahoma students. Photo provided.
Campus Ministries
archokc.org/campus
Fr. Kelly Edwards and a Southwestern Oklahoma State University student. Photo provided.
University of Oklahoma students Lilly-Quynh Pham, Cal Watson and Sara Lau. Photo provided.
