By Emily Hernandez Dominguez, Campus News Editor
As Saint Leo University comes alive with students, many return to campus with the anticipation of academic and spiritual growth.
At Saint Leo, students don’t have to search far for a place to nurture their faith. On campus, University Ministry is a vital resource. Just like the school, Ministry is rooted in Catholicism, but welcomes all students to join various activities aimed at nurturing their faith.
The mission statement of University Ministry is “encountering and investing in students to lead them into a relationship with Jesus.” With every event they organize, their goal is to achieve just that – helping students feel seen, known, and loved by the community by fostering bonds of friendship. Additionally, they aim to reinforce the idea that students are first and foremost seen, known, and loved by God.
Furthermore, Ministry plays a role in the University by embodying the values of good Catholics: welcoming people from all backgrounds and sharing faith and hospitality with them.
The Interim Director of University Ministry is Kevin Floyd, who previously served as the office manager. The director oversees all aspects of Ministry and guides the spiritual formation of the community. Floyd is also the assistant coach for the Saint Leo ice hockey club.
A new addition to the Ministry’s leadership is Mary Worhacz, the new campus minister for University Ministry. Mary describes her role as ensuring that students have opportunities to develop their faith and fellowship while at Saint Leo.
This includes community events such as dodgeball tournaments and service projects, as well as spiritual events like Praise and Worship and Theology Thursdays, not to mention one-on-one bonding time at Benedicts Coffeehouse.
As the school year commences, Worhacz highlights some of the events that students can look forward to throughout the year.
“Ministry just held our third annual Freshman Retreat for incoming students, led by our Student Leadership team, for all new students to know that they have a place in Ministry right off the bat,” Worhacz shares. “Throughout the year, we have two additional retreats for students to escape the stressors of academic life and join us for an off-campus spiritual encounter where they can grow in their relationship with God and make new friends along the way.”
“The weekly event I would encourage most for students are our men and women’s groups,” she continues.
Each week, the two separate student groups will meet at the same time to discuss various topics to achieve the goal of living a virtuous life on a college campus and growing in faith.
Students can there find encouragement and a place to be open about their struggles and find support from each other.
At the conclusion of the group meetings, the men and women’s communities gather in St. Jude Chapel united together as one community to pray a night prayer.
“In addition to our retreats and men’s and women’s groups, we host various events throughout the year, inviting students to participate and connect,” Worhacz continues.
August 30 is the first men’s and women’s groups of the year at 7 p.m., with women in the multimedia room of Apt 6, men in Student Activities Building in room 117.
September 7 is the first Theology Thursday, one of Ministry’s monthly events at 6 p.m. in TECO Hall where a theological talk will be held while sharing in fellowship and eating free pizza!
September 23 is a student favorite event, the Ministry Kayak Trip (time and location TBD).
The fall retreat will be October 27-29. Further details are to be announced.
Apart from hosting events, University Ministry also provides numerous resources to students on campus. Worhocz emphasizes three essential locations to remember:
The second floor of the Wellness Center is where the Ministry offices are located. Students are welcome to come to the offices to seek spiritual guidance or hang out.
Second, the Abbey Church where most of the Sacraments are celebrated. They have daily and Sunday Mass, Confessions twice a week, and Eucharistic Adoration weekly.
Lastly, St. Jude Chapel which is a Eucharistic chapel open 24/7 for personal prayer. St. Jude Chapel is located at the bell tower across from the Student Activities Building.
Ministry also offers the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) which is a program for all students who are either looking to become Catholic, or Baptized Catholics who have not received additional Sacraments.
Mark your calendars for the weekly events schedule: Sunday Mass at 7 p.m. (Ministry), Daily Mass from Monday to Friday at 5 p.m., Confessions on Sundays from 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., and Tuesdays from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Adoration is also held on Tuesdays from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Stay updated on Ministry activities and announcements by following them on Facebook and Instagram @saintleouniversityministry or by visiting their website: ministry.saintleo.edu.
For any inquiries or assistance, students are encouraged to contact Worhacz via email at Mary.Worhacz@saintleo.edu or Flloyd at Kevin.Floyd@saintleo.edu.
Additional contact details are available on their website. Students can feel free to send them a direct message on Instagram or visit the office in person.
Navigating school can be a challenging endeavor for both new and returning students. University Ministry is committed to providing a nurturing environment that fosters faith, lifelong friendships, and a strong sense of community.
“As a Saint Leo Alumni myself, I can say that from my time as a student to now, University Ministry has become a family and home away from home for so many,” Worhacz shares warmly. “University Ministry is truly like no other – the bonds that are created within Ministry are ones that last a lifetime and I hope all feel welcome to join us at our events and become part of our family!”
