A community Mass on Saturday evenings, a variety of multi-faith celebrations, and working with the marginalized people of Toronto are some of the many ways a revitalized campus ministry will be offering diverse programming and activities for the St. Michael’s community this academic year.
“There are three areas of growth for us,” explains Campus Ministry Director Sonal Castelino, xmcj. “We want to give students who are curious about the Catholic faith, or who want to deepen their spiritual life, opportunities such as a Scripture discussion group, regular prayer gatherings, or the chance to help with the music ministry at the Saturday Masses. We also want to offer inter-religious and inter-cultural events, providing the chance for engagement and celebration with the broader community, and we want to engage in a variety of social justice initiatives.”
And, Castelino emphasizes, as she now has a team of a team of eight student leaders in place, these activities will offer students an opportunity to work with other students, empowering them and helping them find and develop their own voices. The team includes two members dedicated to interfaith activities, two members focussed on social and community outreach, two to retreats and faith formation and two expressly dedicated to Catholic faith formation.
“There is a calling for campus ministry to offer a niche in the very busy lives of students. We want to make a connection between the campus and the city, whether with the vulnerable or with a variety of faith and cultural traditions,” she explains. “We want Campus Ministry to become a space where all will feel welcome and that they know they belong. There is a very real comfort level in our college about being open to exploring spirituality and faith. Caring for the whole student means accounting for this dimension of their campus experience as well.”
A core aspect of Campus Ministry’s offerings with be newly scheduled Student Mass, to be held Saturday evenings during the academic year at 6:30 in St. Basil’s Church. Students will have the opportunity to sign up to serve as lectors or for the music ministry, and to join in a meal with other community following Mass. Celebrants will include various priests from the University community.
For more social connections, Campus Ministry also has a new drop-in lounge, located in Brennan 101, a quiet place for connection, as well as for team members to do their work.
Campus Ministry will also offer a range of social justice initiatives, with opportunities such as visiting long-term care facilities and homeless shelters designed to offer hands-on help while also gaining an education in systemic challenges in society.
As well, the team will be involved in offering support to a range of faith traditions seeking to mark important dates in their calendars, while also hosting cultural events for special moments throughout the year such as the Hindu festival of Holi and Chinese New Year.
Finally, another development this year is off-campus retreats. Since the community spent a lot of time indoors and isolated during the pandemic, Campus Ministry will offer two opportunities for students to head off campus for a weekend, taking the time to pray, reflect, and build friendships.
“Campus Ministry should be a place that allows us to hold a mirror to ourselves showing the depth and diversity that is our college campus. We invite people into a deeper relationship with themselves, each other and God, creating space to explore different ways of being, which helps to build community, and lends support as we gain the courage to ask questions,” Castelino observes.
Campus Ministry events can be found on its Instagram account – @ustmikescampusministry – with a web page to follow.