The Ministry of Presence

One of the most important roles of the campus minister is....to be there! Meals, sporting events, campus activities or just hanging out in the student center are all GREAT opportunities to reach students. It is CRITICAL for the campus minister to develop an identity with students - especially for those of us who don't wear a collar (usually a dead giveaway!). Students need to see the campus minister on their time and turf, not just at mass or at the Newman house.

Developing relationships with students works like a snowball effect - meet a few, see them at activities and they introduce you to some more, see them at something else and they introduce you, etc.

Seeing you reminds students about their faith - even if they are doing wrong. There's nothing wrong with a little good ol' fashioned Catholic guilt!

Students won't always seek YOU out, you must seek them out. (Need I remind everyone who our example is....JC did not stand around waiting to be discovered!)

Don't get caught up in programming! No matter what type of program you run, not ALL the students will attend. SO, how do you reach the others....by BEING there.

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