Just as God never takes a break in loving us, so too it seems that campus ministry at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg never takes a break in responding to his love in faith and evangelization.
Even during vacation this past summer, our students still gathered for Mass, fun at Kings Dominion, and they made a mission trip to Piura, Peru, with Commissioned by Christ. There, our students were able to grow in faith, hope and love as they served the poor of that community by building houses, distributing clothes and food, and even volunteering in clinics and hospitals.
Now that the school year is back in full swing, the ministry at UMW is doing all it can to help students know, love and serve Jesus. Our student leaders once again joined with leaders from the George Mason University campus ministry from Fairfax for an annual retreat to prepare for the year. Then, inspired by that retreat, they dove head-long into welcome week with verve, hosting favorite events such as pizza and axe-throwing after Sunday Mass, or the annual back-to-school bash complete with free ice cream and a petting zoo.
In the coming weeks, our students and staff will start up many new Bible studies, kick-off our Thursday speaker series, enjoy a fall retreat on the Potomac, celebrate a eucharistic procession and adoration on campus, and welcome Bishop Michael F. Burbidge to campus for Mass and Rise Against Hunger, where more than 200 students will pack 30,000-plus meals to fight world hunger. We’ll even host a murder mystery party.
God is generous to us with his grace, and the campus ministry at UMW continues to respond in gratitude, doing all we can to share it with each and every student on campus.
Fr. Miserendino is chaplain at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.
