At senior Grayson Phillips’ first Catholic Campus Ministry Mass at the Shenandoah University chapel two years ago, less than 20 students were present. Three semesters later, the chapel was packed with 60 enthusiastic students at the first Mass to open the 2024-25 academic year.
We attribute the growth to a combination of factors, including a fresh logo and more intentional branding, such as official t-shirts; direct mail to new incoming students; creative and faith-centered programming; and strong student leaders who take increasing responsibility for campus activities.
Shenandoah University is a small, private university of 2,500 undergraduates, where an event drawing 10 students is considered a relative success. The campus ministry was founded 14 years ago, and has been supported financially by the diocese for about 10 years.
Our mission is to invite students to grow in faith and community in the Catholic tradition. Two flagship activities are centered on Jesus in the Eucharist and in Scripture: Sunday 5 p.m. Mass in the campus chapel (with confession available before and fellowship over food afterward) and Breakfast & Bible Study on Saturday mornings, with Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Winchester, followed by breakfast and separate Bible Study for men and women.
Our student leaders have dedicated themselves to building community and supporting one another, often going to adoration, confession, and daily Mass together and praying for each other. They invite other students and actively foster a welcoming environment, even attending other students’ games and performances. They organize most ministry events, and, by God’s grace, the leaders’ hard work and prayer have produced fruits that have astonished them.
Average weekend Mass attendance, which was stuck around 20 for many years, reached 33 students by the end of the fall semester. The outdoor adoration event, Jesus on the Quad, attracted 26 attendees. At the guest speaker event A Cuppa Catholicism, 58 students came to hear Deacon Ricky Malebranche, who is preparing for the priesthood. Earlier this month, 18 students attended the annual SUMMIT conference in Richmond for Catholic campus ministries statewide — three times the usual number.
But, most importantly, so many students have a deeper relationship with Christ and found a faith community they consider home:
“Coming into a new environment (as a freshman) is incredibly difficult, but having such a welcoming community to be a part of has made the transition an absolute joy,” said Matthew Mangels, ministry historian. “Now being a CCM leader, I want to do everything I can to bring that community feeling to as many people as possible here on campus.”
“SU CCM has helped me live unapologetically Catholic, said graduate student Will Fleming, ministry vice president. “I’ve found myself surrounded by a supportive community where I can fully live out my faith.”
Fleming’s predecessor and current social media manager, senior Caitlin Orender recently shared how her time on campus will bear spiritual fruit beyond her anticipated graduation this fall.
“Through CCM, I have had the opportunity to grow spiritually and personally, build friendships, and learn highly valuable leadership skills,” she said. “The strength to say ‘yes,’ to God’s call has been built up in me over the last three years. And now it has led me back to my home parish (St. Francis de Sales Church in Purcellville) to lead as director of youth ministry. I am so joyful for this path God has led me down.”
Find out more
For more info about the ministry, go to shenandoahccm.com.
Filamor is campus minister of SU Catholic Campus Ministry.
