Feeling At Odds With My College!

[hispreciouswounds]

Hello people of phatmass ^.^.
My name is Juan and I hope you are entertained by my title! Well here's my situation: just started college, was able to get a full scholarship for a school (that wasn't my initial choice but was the only one to offer better financial stability if they gave me a free ride), got in, close to home, fine. It's a Catholic college I feel is slowly losing some of it's remaining Catholic identity. I fear this college might become ex-affiliated with the Church in the near future because of its lost focus in the Catholic faith (like Manhattan Marymount College) That's my main reason for going: it's Catholic! But I've realized for a person who's into nurturing their faith and having a strong support system of peers and professors to influence my faith journey things haven't been going so great. I'm trying my best to embrace my circumstance and do something about it but it's absolutely difficult. The administrators want us to "be challenged" and be made felt uncomfortable, but I think they're just too liberal for me to handle. They also offer less areas of study than I hoped (i.e. I was hoping to consider a Theology degree (major perhaps) but they only offer a Religious Studies minor). However, the school isn't exactly so bad, I just feel like the school is more focused on their financial stability and reputation rather than forming the student through a Catholic education. I may be feeling like I'm in a small form public college. Any suggestions? Comments? Prayers? ** BTW. I go to St. Joseph's College (New York) Brooklyn to be specific. **

God bless :D.

[Fr. Antony Maria OSB]

A very good friend of mine currently lives around Brooklyn, and he was telling me just last week how there is a great Catholic young adults group through the diocese. You may have to be 21+ to attend some of the meetings (ex: Theology on Tap), but if your college is lacking in the Catholic support environment, try looking for some other things you could attend through the diocese. If you want, I could ask my friend for some more specifics about the events he goes to and send you a link

[Luigi]

Be the change you seek. Go to the chaplain or whatever they have similar. Find out if they offer Mass regularly. Ask to set up a Bible study group. Start a discussion club. Ask them to bring in guest lecturers (in whom YOU are interested). 

 

You may have to work through the Student Government Association or whatever they have similar to that. 

 

 

 

But if they haven't completely lost their Catholic identity already, try to salvage it. You're the leaven in the loaf. 

[Basilisa Marie]

A college is only as Catholic as it's students. I know it's astoundingly difficult, especially when you're being challenged but lack a support system to go "home" to.  You've got to take ownership of your faith. :) 

 

What you're going to have to do is start a club (or group or whatever).  Talk to your campus ministry and see if anything like what you're looking for is flying under the radar, or better yet, if you can start one.  Do you have any like-minded friends? Get them in on it.  College is the time for going out on that limb and expanding yourself.  It's going to be hard, very hard, but it's the way you're going to grow. :)  Try either a Bible study, a group that attends mass at the different churches (especially ones of a different rite!), a small faith-sharing group (talking about different issues), a pro-life group, a Marian devotion group (like Militia Immaculata or Legion of Mary)...there are tons of options, whichever is your cup of tea. 

 

 

[Gabriela]

Be the change you seek. Go to the chaplain or whatever they have similar. Find out if they offer Mass regularly. Ask to set up a Bible study group. Start a discussion club. Ask them to bring in guest lecturers (in whom YOU are interested). 

 

You may have to work through the Student Government Association or whatever they have similar to that. 

 

 

 

But if they haven't completely lost their Catholic identity already, try to salvage it. You're the leaven in the loaf. 

 

My advice precisely. Go evangelist. Be "the Catholic" on campus. Turn that school back into what it once was.

 

It'll be hard, with lots of disappointments, I'm sure, but think of it this way: You'll have a mission. And that mission will give your college years real meaning. Not to mention you'll get killer experience for living (as a good Catholic) out in the "real world" post-graduation.

[hispreciouswounds]

Be the change you seek. Go to the chaplain or whatever they have similar. Find out if they offer Mass regularly. Ask to set up a Bible study group. Start a discussion club. Ask them to bring in guest lecturers (in whom YOU are interested). 

 

You may have to work through the Student Government Association or whatever they have similar to that. 

 

 

 

But if they haven't completely lost their Catholic identity already, try to salvage it. You're the leaven in the loaf. 

 

That's funny because I was thinking about precisely the same thing. My school is big on lecturers. I will look into that more deeply.

 

As for everyone else, I've been getting great responses from all of you! The sister who runs Campus Ministry is looking into creating a group specifically for Catholics. My suggestion would be to create a pro-life group later on aftern we get a stronger base for students like myself.

 

Definitely what I was thinking! I should be "the one" (a.k.a. the "very religious" guy on campus) :saint2: even if it hurts a wee bit. I kinda have to see it as working out :flex2:  it has to stretch me a bit more to get somewhere.

[hispreciouswounds]

A college is only as Catholic as it's students. I know it's astoundingly difficult, especially when you're being challenged but lack a support system to go "home" to.  You've got to take ownership of your faith. :)

 

What you're going to have to do is start a club (or group or whatever).  Talk to your campus ministry and see if anything like what you're looking for is flying under the radar, or better yet, if you can start one.  Do you have any like-minded friends? Get them in on it.  College is the time for going out on that limb and expanding yourself.  It's going to be hard, very hard, but it's the way you're going to grow. :)  Try either a Bible study, a group that attends mass at the different churches (especially ones of a different rite!), a small faith-sharing group (talking about different issues), a pro-life group, a Marian devotion group (like Militia Immaculata or Legion of Mary)...there are tons of options, whichever is your cup of tea. 

Great Ideas dudette (of course, you're not a dude) :like3:

[Basilisa Marie]

Great Ideas dudette (of course, you're not a dude) :like3:

 

I consider dude a gender-neutral term.

 

Much like guys. 

 

:hehe2:

 

Also welcome to Phatmass, dear, I do hope you stick around. :) 

[AnneLine]

I'll third or fourth what has been said... and add... do what you can to be a normal person as well as being a Catholic.  Because that is an important part of that witness, too!   Maybe look into people like Bl. PierGiorgio Frassati.... make being authentically Catholic look EXCITING and ENTICING.   ;)

 

http://www.frassatiusa.org/

 

And check this out!!!!!!    http://frassatiny.com/

 

Looks like they haven't updated their website for a while -- maybe you need eachother!

 

"Young people today who are looking for a role model will find someone to identify with in this vibrant young outdoorsman who combined a deep love for Christ, a desire to serve the needy, and a mission to imbue society and politics with Christian ideals."