Is Your Parish Sending Members Off to College This Fall

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Is your parish sending members off to college this fall?

Show your young adults that their community is still with them in spirit! Consider some of the following ideas to support and encourage your college students throughout the year:

Before they leave:

  • Consider a blessing during Mass and incorporating them into your general intercessions
  • Help them find a Catholic community on their campus - most are listed on the college web sites under "student organizations". If they are going to a college in the Diocese of Rochester have them check out the campus page on the young adult and campus ministry website.   It has all of the contacts listed with e-mail addresses and telephone numbers. If they are going to school outside the Diocese of Rochester go to the web site of the diocese where their school is located and see if they have campuses listed. Shannon Loughlin would be happy to help if you have trouble finding contacts.
  • Have the students find out when they will be back at the end of the fall semester. Academic calendars are available on college websites.
  • "Buddy up" a college student and a member of your parish council, choir, youth group or any volunteers who would like to keep in touch over the semester.
  • Find out school e-mail addresses or other e-mail addresses that the college students plan to check while away. If they have the information, find out snail mail addresses too!

While they are gone:

  • Pray for them regularly, both as a community and as a "buddy."
  • Have buddies send them prayers and blessings by e-mail. You might also send bulletins, event information, etc. so they know what's happening back home.
  • Ask them to send information on what's happening at their college - you never know when a great idea might pop up that would translate to the parish.
  • Consider sending a care package with snacks and goodies during midterms or finals. This can be a service project for a youth group - and helps the teens see that the community will support them while they are away too!

When they come back on break (you would know by their academic schedule when they would be home):

  • Recognize them at Mass and invite them to a coffee hour to welcome them home.
  • Invite them to speak with your youth group about what it's like to be a Catholic on campus.
  • Ask them to speak with the parish council or relevant committees about ideas and events happening at the campus that might transfer to the parish.
  • Over the summer offer opportunities to connect college students from your parish with each other.

For more information or assistance contact Shannon Loughlin, Director of Young Adult and Campus Ministry at loughlin@dor.org.