by Lisa Fletcher

Providing a strong foundation for students to know and love the Catholic faith is at the heart of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Simply having the knowledge, however, isn’t enough. Without meaningful ways to consistently practice the faith, students miss a crucial component in developing a life centered in Christ.

Campus ministers are integral to this one-two punch of faith formation and practice, serving in all 23 Catholic high schools in the archdiocese—a resource each school devotes to ensure students live their faith daily.

“The investment in a Director of Campus Ministry helps us guide our work outside of the Theology classrooms,” said Lourdes Lambert, principal of Archbishop Alter High School. “They work with the administration team to provide practical ways to live our faith and ignite a love for God that will carry our students through the rest of their lives.”

Alter High School’s Director of Campus Ministry, Heather Dunn, believes in working with the Theology Department, school administration and parents to provide supplemental faith experiences that help students and staff on their faith journey.

“I see Theology class as the place where we learn about who God is and what our faith means,” Dunn said. “My hope in Campus Ministry is that we put that faith into practice by offering opportunities to serve, lead, pray, share and grow in our holiness.”

Nick Mayrand, Director of Ministry at St. Xavier Catholic High School, believes this emphasis comes at an important time in a student’s life. “High school is a pivotal time for developing our relations with God, but like any relationship, it requires time and attention if it’s going to flourish. Campus ministers help our young people by accompanying them on their faith journeys [and] by creating spaces for them to encounter Christ and see Christ in others,” Mayrand said.

Of course, supporting a teenager’s faith is no simple task, making the campus ministers’ responsibilities never ending. Every archdiocesan high school has appointed one or more campus ministers, and each school’s needs are unique. Common responsibilities include planning retreats for all four years of high school, organizing all- school Masses, providing opportunities for Reconciliation and adoration and organizing and moderating faith-based activities and clubs.

Dunn said many groups at Alter, such as Women’s and Men’s Fellowship, draw to each meeting 20-30 students who are focused on their discipleship and spreading the joy of their faith.

With over 1,360 students at St. Xavier, Mayrand and two other full-time campus ministers spend a lot of time planning retreats. To engage more students in the planning process, he and his colleagues oversee a student campus ministry team composed of 15 juniors and seniors
and another team of over 50 students who plan and run the freshman Emmaus retreat.

“Our campus ministry student team meets every week for formation in their roles as peer ministers, and to plan faith-related programs for the rest of the school,” Mayrand said.

Father Jacob DuMont, L.C., the new Director of Faith Development in the Archdiocese’s School Office, met with campus ministers and school leadership from each of the 23 high schools to see how the archdiocese could help schools strengthen their Catholic Identity.

“My role is to focus specifically on evangelization in our high schools, helping faculty, staff and students deepen their relationship with Christ,” Father DuMont said.

The initial meetings with the schools highlighted three key needs: more opportunities for Mass and Confession, a virtue/faith program for use with sports teams or as curriculum, and more adoration opportunities.

Over the past few months, Father DuMont has worked with campus ministers to address these needs, including making the sacraments, such the Eucharist and Confession, more available to students, as well as promoting more adoration opportunities.

“The permanent deacons in the archdiocese have offered their support of this initiative and are willing to help explain the history of adoration, different ways to pray during adoration, and how to come to a deeper appreciation for this great gift of the Eucharist,” Father DuMont said.

After Dunn expressed interest in creating a program around virtue and sports, Father DuMont created one. Before a fall football game, Alter High School’s football players gathered for a prayer service. Senior football players took part in the service during which Father DuMont read a Gospel passage and gave a reflection connecting the Word with their lives.

They also focused on two key virtues this year: respect and courage. “The young men have begun to apply these virtues more concretely in their lives, both on and off the field. The players have impressed me with their spirit of teamwork, respect and courage,” he said.

Mayrand said St. Xavier created the “Contemplatives in Action” program because they too saw value in having a chaplain at sporting events and other clubs “to help students find God in the midst of their favorite activities.”

With all that is involved in bringing students to Christ, campus ministers are needed more than ever. Lambert has seen the impact of having a Director of Campus Ministry at Alter, including greater participation in Mass and in peer ministries, as well as increased attendance in faith-based extra-curriculars.

And Lambert knows this impact will only grow with the students. “With the help of our campus minister, students are learning to go beyond our school to be bold and brave disciples of Christ in our community and our world,” she said.

This article appeared in the February 2024 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here