By: Erica Pistorino
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Jaclyn Sheridan
Karen de la Motte, Philip Fiadino, Michael Joy, and Sister Marianna Sylvester make up the Campus Ministry team.
Times are changing for Campus Ministry. With the addition of Philip Fiadino and Michael Joy to the staff, the structure of the organization has been altered to revolve around prayer, community building and service. This new organization, what Fiadino describes as the three foundations of Campus Ministry, were implemented in a desire to strengthen the focus of the group. With the inspiration drawn from the foundation of the early church, these three areas seemed like an appropriate starting point.
Fiadino acknowledges that a, “successful Campus Ministry connects to where the students are.” So, just how do they plan to do this? Fiadino hopes to bring Theology on Tap to Salve, a program where students and ministry gather at bars to discuss various topics. The program has already experienced great success in Chicago and New York. In fact, it is just next door, in Providence. On Feb. 26, this group will meet to discuss the issue of Pro-Life. For those who are not of legal drinking age, an alternate program is in hopes for development. Entitled, Coffee and Catholicism, this program would take advantage of the beautiful areas of campus to gather and discuss issues that are on the minds of students. Discussion is where connecting to your faith needs to begin. We all have questions about our own spiritual life, Fiadino insists. Campus Ministry provides students with a quiet place to talk about these things, which could foster a deeper relationship with the group. “Why would your understanding of faith stop when you graduate high school?” questioned Fiadino. During your college years you grow academically and socially, so why shouldn’t you grow spiritually? “I want students to know there’s a place and a space for students at Salve on campus,” Fiadino explained. Outside of the Campus Ministry doors, students can connect with their faith through projects and programs, exemplifying their desire to live out their faith. Upcoming programs include Alternative Spring Break, Mardi Gras, an Inter-religious luncheon and the Taize Candlelight Prayer. Notice how the programs correspond with the foundations of service, community building and prayer? Alternative Spring Break includes a trip to Appalachia with Campus Ministry staff, Michael Joy and Karen de la Motte. Sister Marianna Sylvester is involved with the trip to the Romero Center in Camden N.J., which involves working in schools, an HIV/AIDS center, housing developments and much more. Discussions will address how to deal with issues that divide us. The Inter-Religious luncheon, to be held in the spring, hopes to draw people of different faiths together. Those to be invited include faculty, students, and religious leaders of Newport. During Lent, Campus Ministry will sponsor the Taize Candlelight Prayer. While this is a Christian prayer, it is open to all. Campus Ministry does have a strong focus among Catholic students due to the affiliation of the school, but it is not exclusively for members of the Catholic community. The organization is always looking to connect with students from any and all faiths and backgrounds. Campus Ministry is always welcome to suggestions on how to achieve this. Have any ideas? Stop by the Campus Ministry office, which is located in the New Resident Administration Wing. Email, visit the Campus Ministry site, or call, 341 – 2326. Like as Fiadino said, “Campus Ministry is as much as [the students] as the Campus Ministry team.”
