St. Angela Merici, foundress of the Ursuline Sisters, called upon her followers to “live for God,”  a call lived out by the students at Saint Ursula Academy (SUA) in Cincinnati. The school’s all-volunteer Campus Ministry Council assists Campus Minister Andrea Brunsman in guiding the young women to this call when planning their many faith formation activities, designed to empower students to live for God, sharing His love with others in a spirit of acceptance and compassion.

Beginning the academic year with approximately 150 students, 25 to 50 incoming freshman are expected to join the Council, said Brunsman. Catholic or not, all students are welcome to participate as they journey together in their faith.

“Most of the girls join because they feel St. Angela’s love and joy here, and they are called to Jesus’ love and light,” said Brunsman, a 1990 SUA graduate in her fifth year as Campus Minister.

“I wanted to be part of a faith-filled community and give back what the Ursulines gave to me. They are the reason I pursued my career path,” she added.

Brunsman acknowledges that SUA’s campus ministry needed reinvigoration following the COVID-19 outbreak. She credits the class of 2022 for taking the lead to strengthen the Council and set the example for their younger counterparts. The leadership and enthusiasm of current students, like Katie Bender and Sophia Clever, led to activities geared toward students growing in their faith. These include: Mass, Communion services, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent and Advent, retreats, praying the rosary, small prayer groups, Faith in Action Days, Stations of the Cross and a student-led Bible study.

“I love being able to stand in front of my school and share what I believe in,” she said.

Clever learned about campus ministry from her mother, who works at SUA, and Brunsman encouraged Clever’s involvement as a way to share her vocal talents. The experience has been deeply meaningful for Clever.

“I really struggled with my faith when I was younger,” Clever admitted. “When I came to Saint Ursula, it was an awakening to me that Jesus is love, and it became so important to me that everyone feels seen and loved no matter what. The administration, faculty and staff do a great job of emphasizing that we are all sisters and called to be here for each other. That’s such a big part of our community.”

Brunsman said she’s been inspired by how these two young women and their fellow students “live for God.”

Set in the heart of SUA’s campus, the beautiful, peaceful chapel is a favorite place for the entire school community. Two classes gather at a time for services led by students. Masses and communion services are required, but other activities, like praying the rosary and Adoration, are optional.

“We believe in providing optional programming so the girls can choose to attend. If everything is forced, then they’re not making their faith their own,” Brunsman explained.

And they do choose to attend! “The girls come [to the chapel] before a big test or game, or to pray about [happenings] in their personal lives,” she said. “They feel God’s grace in the chapel. It’s a very special place.”

One well-attended optional activity is “Faithful Friends and Food,” held one to three times monthly, depending on the liturgical season. Participants first read and reflect on a Scripture passage to center themselves, then share fellowship and food—Brunsman’s chocolate chip cookies are especially popular. Brunsman said about 50 girls regularly share this experience of knowing “they are around people who love them and care about them. This was all the students’ idea. They wanted something informal where they could be Christ to one another.”

Bender’s older sister inspired her to become involved with the Council. “It seemed like a good way to keep actively participating in my faith when I started high school,” said Bender, who especially enjoys planning Masses and Communion services and lectoring. “My family is very devout … campus ministry helps me stay connected to my faith and keeps it alive for me during the week while I’m at school.”

“That’s what campus ministry is at SUA. No matter what your religious background is, you are loved and seen here,” Clever said.

“Everyone is accepted and loved in campus ministry, and I think that’s why it’s so big,” Brunsman added. “Jesus welcomed everyone to the table. That’s how it is here. Everyone has a place where no one is turned away.”

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