Posted by admin on February 5, 2010 under Uncategorized | 
Wide Awake!
Date: April 9-10, 2010
Location: Chicago
Young Adult Conference
Keynote: John Allen
Special guest workshop presenters Fr. Brian Daley, S.J. and David Fagerburg both of U. of Notre Dame
Join other college students and young adults (under 35) who desire to wake up to their deeper purpose in life. We exist for more than making money and working jobs. Our academic and career successes/failures do not define our identity. This conference will include large group sessions of powerful music, young adult personal stories of faith, and compelling speaker and workshops to guide young adults in specific aspects and disciplines of living a life of faith. Registration and information at: http://www.evangelicalcatholic.org.
Campus Ministry Leadership Institute
Date: June 5-11, 2010
Location: Saint Joseph’s University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Contact: www.sju.edu/CMLI
The Campus Ministry Leadership Institute (CMLI) is a six-day training and working institute for student leaders and campus ministers who attend together as campus teams. Now in its eleventh year, the institute is designed to produce dynamic leaders who work collaboratively to develop and implement successful Catholic campus ministry programs. CMLI participant teams will learn and practice valuable leadership skills, develop a project that is ready to implement at home, generate new ideas for your ministry, network with campus leaders from across the country and enhance understanding of Catholic campus ministry. Please visit the CMLI website at www.sju.edu/CMLI for information and to register.
Frank J. Lewis Institute
Date: June 6-11, 2010
Location: University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
Contact: http://campusministry.nd.edu/national-conferences/fjl
University of Notre Dame is proud to announce that the Frank J. Lewis Institute for Campus Ministry Orientation will be held this June. The program provides valuable experience for campus ministers with one to three years experience in the field. Participants will come from across the country to learn and be refreshed. Topics for the Institute include forming the faith community, appropriating the faith, forming the Christian conscience, educating for justice, developing leaders for the future and personal development. More details and information will be available by visiting http://campusministry.nd.edu/national-conferences/fjl.
CCMA Development Institute
Date: June 15-18, 2010
Location: Xavier University
Cincinnati, Ohio
Contact: info@ccmanet.org
CCMA is proud to announce its 13th annual Development Institute, “Sharing Stories That Inspire Giving”, June 15-18 at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio! We’ve all been there. You are sitting in your office staring slack-jawed at absolutely nothing—not knowing how or where to begin. You are uninspired. We feel your pain. But no worries; help is on the way! “Sharing Stories that Inspiring Giving” is the most exciting conference you’ll go to all year! This conference will allow you to share ideas, get help, be mentored, be inspired and learn about current trends in development and fundraising. You will meet nationally acclaimed speaker Jo Farrell whose dynamic presentation will teach you how, and change how you tell your story. The CCMA Development Institute is your professional organization; this is your chance to join colleagues from across the country whether you are completely new to campus ministry or an experienced veteran, you will leave with the tools to take your ministry to the next level. Registration is $325 (see brochure for discounts when you bring more than one person from your ministry), and includes most meals and Institute materials. Accommodations range from $80 to $109 per night, and discounted transportation is available to and from the airport. Click on the title above for more information and to register for the Development Institute, or contact Chrysta Bolinger at bolinger@ccmanet.org. We hope to see you in Cincinnati!
Posted by admin on February 2, 2010 under 2. Fat Tuesday |
With the heavy smoke of incense filling the temple and the choirs of angels singing kadosh, kadosh, kadosh, Isaiah receives his vocation to go where he is sent as a prophet. His overwhelming experience of the Holy, his humility and purification, will serve as his calling card. He will need these credentials for the critical message he will speak to the people Judah as it tumbles deeper into injustice and destruction.
For Simon, it isn’t in the incense filled temple but on the lapping waters of Lake Gennaseret in the morning light, after a long night of fruitless labor, that he hears the call. His response is similar to Isaiah’s. So overwhelming is the catch of fish, a sign of the power of Christ, that he fearfully admits his unworthiness. Both Isaiah and Peter respond with humility and awe to the awesome display of God’s power. Both are called–or more precisely they are commissioned–to a specific service in spite of their perceived shortcomings.
I find it interesting that the call comes in these two quite different settings: the liturgy and the workplace; ora et labora. So much of our work as campus ministers involves these two experiences. We gather students in prayer, especially at the Sunday Eucharist, and we give students an opportunity to serve in soup kitchens, tutoring sessions and alternative spring break trips. Are they–and more to the point, are we–aware of the Holy in both of these settings? Can we drop our defenses and let ourselves be overwhelmed by God?
This morning I received an email from my religious community’s vocation office that this coming Sunday, the Church in the United States will celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life. Though most in the Universal Church celebrate it today on the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas), the Church in the United States moves it to the following Sunday, to allow for greater participation. The vocational focus of the readings this Sunday are quite providential as we recognize the contributions that religious sisters, brothers and priests, have made to the Church at large and in campus ministry in particular. Lest you accuse me of being self serving, lacking the humility of my namesake, I point out that next Sunday (February 14th) is World Marriage Day, when we will honor the witness of married campus ministers. Of course, every Sunday is Diocesan Priest Day since it is the Lord’s Day 
Fr. Peter J. Walsh, CSC is an assistant chaplain at Saint Thomas More, the Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University.
Posted by admin on February 1, 2010 under 1. Media Monday |
Today is the 50th anniversary of the day Franklin McCain and three other freshmen at North Carolina A&T University took a stand by sitting at the lunch counter in Woolworth’s.
The store had no qualms selling toothpaste or light bulbs to blacks, but a cup of coffee at the lunch counter? Out of the question. The Greensboro Four, as they came to be known, were fed up.
As they sat, they were approached by an elderly white woman. McCain later reported that he was afraid of her - even that she might pull a scissors or knitting needle from her bag to stab him. Instead, the woman placed her hand on McCain’s shoulder and smiled. “She says, ‘Boys, I am so proud of you. I only regret that you didn’t do this 10 years ago,’ ” McCain said.
This story ran in papers and websites all over the country this morning. Its message is as important today as it was then. Both McCain and the woman cheering them on are faces in our own ministry today.
The energy these traditional and non-traditional students bring to our ministries needs only be harnessed to affect great change.
Here at Yale we are proud of the 124 year tradition we have in Dwight Hall, our center for public service and social justice. Often in our ministry the presence to which we are called is in reflecting upon the service our students do and connecting it back to a life of faith.
Last year we changed what has traditionally been an appreciation dinner for our soup kitchen volunteers and asked all students to join us in appreciation for the many and varied forms of service they offered throughout the year. We then asked the question - so what?
The answers were inspiring and challenging. I learned that we indeed have lots of students starting a revolution. I know .. I know … you are wondering where this connects to media! Hold on, there is a great link coming!
Here goes! Like many of you I am in the midst of “Recommendation Limbo”! That fruitful time of year where students come from every nook and cranny asking you to write a letter of recommendation for their next step. It seems I no sooner fill one out than another request is received! In the middle of all this we have seniors looking for opportunities for the next year too! For those of you who are looking for a great tool, check out www.cnvs.org! This online database lists both long and short term opportunities and info on each placement. The site can be searched by location, type of service and length of volunteer window. A fantastic upgrade to the paper version!
Please comment below with your own great ideas about service and or reflection ideas. Let’s share our best resources!
Katie Byrnes is an Assistant Chaplain at Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel & Center at Yale University.
Posted by admin on January 29, 2010 under 5. TGIF! |
CCMA Membership for 2010-2011
CCMA would like to take this opportunity to thank all members for their continued support and prayers through the past year and national convention. You all are such a blessing to us! Annual membership renewals invoices are being mailed in the next several weeks. Renewal and new membership rates remain the same:
Individual Membership: $125 per year
Team Membership (four or more campus ministers at the same campus ministry site): $105 each
Diocesan Membership (four or more campus ministers from the same diocese): $105 each
Associate Membership: $55 per year
Corporate Non Profit Membership: $150 per year
Corporate For Profit Membership: $250 per year
Membership term begins July 1 and ends June 30. In order to be included in the 2010-2011 annual directory, please renew membership by June 1, 2010. Please contact Michelle Gundrum at Gundrum@ccmanet.org or 888.714.6631, Ext. 17, for more information or to renew or join CCMA.
What Will Your RESPONSE Be?
Would you like to make a difference in your community, the country, or the world? Do you want to serve those in need and work for social justice? With nearly 200 programs and thousands of opportunities, RESPONSE 2010 is the most comprehensive guide of faith-based service opportunities available–and it’s free. Volunteers serve full-time for periods of one week to one year or more across the United States and in more than 100 countries worldwide. Summer and school break opportunities are also available. Our volunteers are from all walks of life–from high school to senior citizens and every stage in between. Positions are available for both single and married volunteers, including those with children. Contact Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (CNVS) to receive your free copy/copies of RESPONSE 2010 at 800.543.5046 or cnvsinfo@cnvs.org. You may also visit us at www.cnvs.org.
Greetings for the winter semester! CCMA offers the New Campus Minister Support Network (NCMSN) to allow CCMA members who are new to campus ministry to draw upon the resources and experience of CCMA members who have “run the race” for awhile.
Attention New Campus Ministers:
You are invited to join the NCMSN in order to dialogue with experienced campus ministers who are dedicated to helping you succeed in your ministry. You decide who you would like to contact via email or phone to begin dialogue about your new campus ministry experience.
Attention Experienced Campus Ministers:
Join the NCMSN as an experienced campus minister and help a new campus minister succeed by offering your experience and expertise.
Join the NCMSN:
To access the NCMSN, please go to the CCMA webpage (www.ccmanet.org) and click on Members (left hand side of the home page). You will need to enter a login and password. (If you need the login and password, please contact Michelle Gundrum at gundrum@ccmanet.org).
Once you are in the “Members Only” section, please click on the New Campus Ministers Support Network (NCMSN). This will bring you to the NCMSN site.
If you are a new campus minister hoping to join the NCMSN, scroll down until you see the box “Join the NCMSN”.
If you are an experienced campus minister who would like to be a part of the NCMSN, please click on “Join the NCMSN as an Experienced Campus Minister”.
In each case, you will be asked to fill out an online form. Once the form is filled out and submitted to CCMA, you will be given additional instructions as to how to utilize the NCMSN.
For more information:
Feel free to contact any member of the NCMSN committee:
Esther Sanborn, Chair, sanborn@sxu.edu
Courtney Hull, chull@mansfield.edu
Maura Neuffer, cathmincod@sbcglobal.net
Michelle Gundrum, CCMA, gundrum@ccmanet.org
Chrysta Bolinger is CCMA’s Director of Member Services and Communication.
Posted by admin on January 28, 2010 under 4. Thursday's Spiritual Smoothie |
Today the Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of all Catholic educational institutions. In the midst of our roles as advocates for faith and spirituality on university and college campuses, one of our greatest gifts and biggest challenges is promoting the link between faith and reason. Aquinas, of course, is a great example of how faith and reason are both important and compatible.
Below is a prayer from Saint Thomas Aquinas that we can use ourselves and share with our students:
O Lord, my God, direct my study,
ensure my perseverance,
and set your seal upon its completion.
You who are the fount of wisdom,
shed light upon the darkness of my understanding
and dispel the twofold darkness of sin and ignorance.
Grant me a keen understanding, a retentive memory,
method and ease in learning, fluency in speech and writing.
Finally, set me on a way of life that is pleasing to you
and grant me confidence that I will embrace you at the end.
Amen.
Sarah Heiman is Campus Minister for Education and Spiritual Life at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.
Posted by admin on January 26, 2010 under 3. Program Swap! Wednesday |
Happy Wednesday! Check out some great footage from the March for Life last Sunday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_Q2nj1CSLQ
Posted by admin on January 25, 2010 under 2. Fat Tuesday |
Our gospel passage begins this Sunday with the same line that last Sunday’s gospel ended: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” While the initial reaction to Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom is quite favorable (people remark at how gracious his words are), tension begins to creep in: “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” Implicit in this identification of Jesus as the son of Joseph is the expectation: as one of our own, he should be of great benefit to us.
Jesus confronts their attempts to define him (and thereby control him) by pointing to a reality of the kingdom that his closest neighbors and friends do not like: the paradox that those who seem most ready for it end up rejecting it, while it is readily accepted by those least expected. The very inclusivity of the kingdom becomes cause for rejection by those demanding exclusive rights to it. This reversal is a recurring theme of the Gospel of Luke: he has filled the hungry with good things while the rich he has sent away empty.
Is our faith supple enough to appreciate the often unexpected ways in which grace manifests itself in our lives and in the lives of others? Or do we turn good news into bad news?
Fr. Peter Walsh, CSC is an assistant chaplain at Saint Thomas More, the Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University.
Posted by admin on January 24, 2010 under 1. Media Monday |
It’s the beginning of a new semester and in case you are also new to this CCMA tool, here is a bit about this blog! This space is a vehicle for CCMA members to learn and dialogue about our ministry. The focus of each day allows us to focus on different facets and how they impact our work but there is lots of room for new ideas! We are currently looking for new members of the CCMA Technology Subcommittee so if you are interested in being a blog author or working more on the intersection of ministry and technology let us know!
In fact, the topic of technology has been a hot one this fall. From Pope Benedict’s statements on new media technologies for evangelization at the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications to the Catholic News Service Multimedia Player (www.chonline.org/news/multimedia-news.html) to the Music from the Vatican Project and their use of YouTube to promote their new album - technology and ministry are no longer strangers.
Many of you have written expressing some frustration aver finding credible and safe ways of creating a virtual presence for your ministry. One such tool is Ning. Ning, like Facebook, is a social networking tool that allows the campus minister to create closed networks and create safe spaces for students to communicate with open another and with the campus minister. The user can also then connect to other sites of interest. Especially for campus ministers with little or no web presence or access this is a great tool! Check it out and let us know what you think!
Katie Byrnes is an Assistant Chaplain at Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel & Center at Yale University.
Posted by admin on January 22, 2010 under 5. TGIF! |
The Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of New Orleans is offering a summer course June 12-17, 2010, Black Perspectives on the Gospel on Campus, instructed by Rev. Dr. Edward Branch, D.Min., Director of Campus Ministry at Lyke House at Atlanta University. This course will review the history of Catholic campus ministry and will discuss the proceedings from the first Historically Black College and University Summit. It will also study the Pastoral Plan for Catholic campus ministry in the United States and the Handbook for Campus Ministers, as well as study and create strategies and tools for campus evangelization with and among Black collegians. For more information and to register please visit http://www.xula.edu/ibcs/about.php.
The Higher Education Relations Committee is exploring the National Association of College University Chaplains. There are definite benefits to networking with this organization and we would like to know if any campus ministers are also members of NACUC. If so, please contact Debbie Neely, neelydeb@yahoo.com with your feedback. Thank you greatly!
CCMA Membership 2010-2011
CCMA would like to take this opportunity to thank all members for their continued support and prayers through the past year and national convention. You all are such a blessing to us! Annual membership renewals invoices are being mailed in the next several weeks. Renewal and new membership rates remain the same:
Individual Membership: $125 per year
Team Membership (four or more campus ministers at the same campus ministry site): $105 each
Diocesan Membership (four or more campus ministers from the same diocese): $105 each
Associate Membership: $55 per year
Corporate Non Profit Membership: $150 per year
Corporate For Profit Membership: $250 per year
Membership term begins July 1 and ends June 30. In order to be included in the 2010-2011 annual directory, please renew membership by June 1, 2010. Please contact Michelle Gundrum at Gundrum@ccmanet.org or 888.714.6631, Ext. 17, for more information or to renew or join CCMA.
Chrysta Bolinger is CCMA’s Director of Member Services and Communications.
Posted by admin on January 21, 2010 under 4. Thursday's Spiritual Smoothie |
One of the traditions relating to Epiphany is the blessing of homes. As we begin this new year, and, for many of us, a new semester, perhaps we can take some time to bless the spiritual home of our offices. Hopefully you’re able to avoid actually living in your office (or sleeping there!), but it makes sense for us to consecrate this space where we counsel students, create community, and welcome the guest. May this new year bring new blessings in our ministry!
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and it is Christ who enlightens our hearts and homes with his love.
May all who enter this office find Christ’s light and love.
May this office be a place of faith and doubt,
a place of tears and laughter,
a place of inspiration and reassurance.
Lord God of heaven and earth,
you revealed your only-begotten Son
to every nation by the guidance of a star.
Bless this office and all who serve here.
May all whose path leads them here be filled with the light of Christ.
May our hearts, hands, and actions
reflect your love through our concern for others.
May Christ Jesus dwell with us,
keep us from all harm,
and make us one in mind and heart,
now and forever.
Amen.
Sarah Heiman is Campus Minister for Education and Spiritual Life at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.
