Gratitude for the Vocation of College Campus Ministry
By Rosie Chinea Shawver
Executive Director of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association
This Thanksgiving weekend, a season steeped in gratitude, I find myself reflecting on the profound blessing it is to be part of the ministry that shapes the lives of young adults during some of their most formative years. Being a college campus minister is not just a profession; it is a vocation - a calling to walk alongside students as they navigate the challenges, questions, and joys of their college journey.
The Gift of Witness
College students are in a unique season of life. They arrive on campus often full of excitement but also with an undercurrent of uncertainty about their purpose and future. As campus ministers, we are privileged to witness their transformation, both academically and spiritually. Seeing a student go from tentative faith to confidently leading a Bible study, or from questioning God's presence to experiencing a profound encounter with Christ in the Eucharist, is a gift beyond measure.
This role allows us to plant seeds of faith that may not fully bloom until years later. What an honor to be entrusted with this sacred task!
Gratitude for Community
One of the hallmarks of campus ministry is building an authentic Christian community. In a world increasingly marked by isolation and division, campus ministers create spaces where students can feel seen, known, and loved. Whether it's through a shared meal, a retreat, or a spontaneous late-night conversation in the student center, these moments of connection are life-giving for students - and for us.
I am especially grateful for the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA), which serves as a lifeline for campus ministers across the country. CCMA provides resources, training, and a network of peers who share the joys and challenges of this unique ministry. CCMA ensures that no campus minister walks this journey alone. The support and camaraderie I’ve found through CCMA remind me that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.
Lessons Learned from Students
I often marvel at how much I learn from the very students I serve. Their passion for justice, their openness to new ideas, and their hunger for truth challenge me to grow in my own faith. Their willingness to ask hard questions reminds me that our faith is not static but a living relationship with Christ that requires continual engagement and renewal.
Gratitude for the Challenges
While campus ministry is deeply rewarding, it is not without its challenges. Balancing the many demands of the role - evangelization, planning events, offering pastoral care, fundraising, and more - can feel overwhelming at times. Yet, even in these moments, I am reminded that this work is not mine alone. It is God’s work, and He is the one who sustains us.
I am so grateful for CCMA that makes these challenges more manageable by providing tools and inspiration to help campus ministers thrive. Whether it’s a webinar on reaching transfer students or a prayer gathering for unity during an election season, CCMA equips us to meet the needs of our students with grace and creativity.
As I reflect on this vocation, I am overwhelmed with gratitude:
Gratitude for the students who allow us into their lives and hearts.
Gratitude for the pastors, chaplains, and benefactors who support this mission.
Gratitude for the Catholic Campus Ministry Association, which uplifts and unites us in this work.
Gratitude for the God who calls us to this ministry and equips us to carry it out.
A Thanksgiving Prayer
This Thanksgiving, I offer a prayer for all campus ministers:
May we continue to serve with hearts full of joy, hands ready to work, and minds open to the creativity of the Holy Spirit. May we always remember the profound privilege it is to be a vessel of Christ’s love on our campuses. Amen.
To my fellow campus ministers and the entire CCMA community: thank you for saying “yes” to this call. Together, we are building the Kingdom of God, one student at a time.
Happy Thanksgiving!