December 3, 1999

Establishing a presence of ministry

by James Owens, A'99, Intern in the Offices of Public Affairs and Publications

In an attempt to encourage an already active campus ministry, Loyola University New Orleans brings four new members to the Campus Ministry department this year in the hopes of expanding its role in the community. The Rev. John Weling, S.J., dean of Campus Ministry, the Rev. Edwin Gros, III, S.J., director of intercultural ministry, and assistant campus ministers Michael Kane, S.J. and Joseph Schneeweis, S.J., are establishing themselves as essential ministers of Jesuit ideals in the Loyola community.

Congruous among each of the member's goals and ideals is a belief in the mission of Christian spirit within the community. Weling spearheads this ideal, the ideal of moving away from an inclusive, cloistered campus ministry to a missionary service in which Jesuit influence can be felt in all areas of the university. "To me," Welling urges, "Campus Ministry is not only here to serve the core of devout Christian students, but it is also here to get out into the trenches and to be a part of the whole of the student body." One of the ways in which this ideal is being implemented is to allow the chaplains of the ministry staff to identify and incorporate their individual experiences and attitudes into their missionary projects.

Kane involves his interest of historical theology in the Monday night Catechism group that discusses the fundamental teachings of the Christian faith and doctrine. "I find more and more," says Kane, "that the students are interested in the facts, the very basic, essential components of the Catholic faith as a practice. There's a real hunger among them to learn as adults about the scripture and doctrine." He also is incorporating his own experiences in becoming a Jesuit in the upcoming Ignation, silent retreat, a weekend adaptation of the more involved 30-day retreat for members of the Society of Jesus. "This retreat is designed to meditate on scripture and pray through the silent study scripture. I want to show that there is a spirituality that precludes the institutional aspect of the church."

Schneeweis utilizes a unique ability to listen and counsel by serving as an advisor with LUCAP and as director of the Christian Life Community, a group devoted to faith sharing. "I have found that students at Loyola are kind and generous. I want to help them in any way I can, help them know and love God everyday, to have a deeper understanding of being a good Christian."

Gros brings a world of experience to the growing Hispanic ministry by providing a Thursday night liturgy that incorporates the Hispanic language and culture. He hopes to reinstitute TWINS, Third World Insertion, which brings students to Latin American nations over the Christmas holiday as a way of broadening the horizons of the students' Christian faith. In addition, he has a passion for pastoral work and for being among the students. "I think that my goal here is to be accessible. I want to be available to the students, to make friends with the students, to have a relationship with the community. I can listen to their needs and give them better support for whatever their needs may be. To have a conversation with a student, casual or formal, and to connect with the student is a real moment of achievement."

Weling believes that ministers who are actively involved in their surrounding communities can effect more positive involvement within that community. "I believe very strongly," says Weling, "that, as the number of Jesuits available for institutions like Loyola decreases, we need to focus on the best way to utilize our dwindling resources to produce the greatest impact."

As the new chaplains dive into the community, Campus Ministry is becoming charged with a kind of energy that all involved are hoping will emulate.