A Message from Fr. Andrew

Dear undergraduate students,

It has come to my attention that there was a group of demonstrators on campus today. This group apparently comes every year, although they came to campus earlier this year than prior years. They apparently carry signs about how, in their opinion, particular groups are going to hell. Their list of people facing eternal doom apparently includes Catholics.

I know very little about this group and have never encountered them. What I just shared is simply what undergraduate students have reported back to me. Therefore, I will not make any commentary or judgements on their behavior, besides the evident fact that Catholic Campus Ministry has no affiliation with or even knowledge of this group. 

What I will do is reiterate the mission, identity, and purpose of Catholic Campus Ministry here at Bloomsburg University.

Our first and primary purpose is to serve you.  We know you are in a time of transition in your life, and we are here to accompany you in that journey.  We consider ourselves blessed to have such a role in your life, as we seek nothing less than your good and your flourishing.

How do we seek to accompany you in your time of transition? By offering a space and presence for you to be, belong, and become. We strive to help you see who you are - made and loved by God. We strive to help you feel like you truly belong to this community, irregardless of where you are in life. But in that belonging, we also strive to help youbecome men and women who will live ‘some definite service’ (as St. John H. Newman once wrote in a prayer).

This is why we are emphatic that we welcome any university student who walks in the doors of the Newman House.  We do not check baptism certificates or examine your soul before allowing admittance.  We are not here to judge. We are here to welcome you, to listen to you, and to accompany you in your life journey. You already belong and are loved.

Of course, we are also an intentional space that invites students to grow in prayer and discipleship.  This is why we have a robust schedule of weekly Masses, Confession, and Eucharistic Adoration. It is why we offer small groups on Mondays and Tuesdays. As you can see, we will never shy away from our Catholic identity.  But that identity propels us to also welcome anyone and everyone who attends Bloomsburg University as an undergraduate student.  In light of recent events, I believe it is crucial to reiterate this point.

For any student who may have had a negative experience on campus today - please know that you are always welcome with open arms at the Newman House. If you have any questions or just need to talk, please reach out to me or to our Associate Director (Cyn Robarge). We would be happy to meet with you in person.

Please know that every day, I pray for at least one hour in our Newman House chapel. In that time of prayer, I pray specifically for you and for the whole university community. I ask that you keep me, my associate director, and all of Catholic Campus Ministry in your prayers.

Fr. Andrew