Greetings from the Catholic Campus Ministry Center at UMR.

As a parent you have such a profound call, responsibility, and privilege. I am in awe of parents today, especially as I meet so many wonderful students on the UMR campus. Young adults today have profound questions, incredible gifts, endless enthusiasm, and such a vision and hope for our world and to give our Church. Remember when you had your whole big, wonderful life ahead of you and were filled with dreams? I remember when I did and those memories help to keep me in touch with the students.

The Catholic Campus Ministry Center is a place, a community, a home away from home for so many students. Three years ago we dedicated a brand new center so that we could more faithfully fulfill our mission of ENGAGING LIFE, PROCLAIMING FAITH. Our mission happens through so many diverse service, ministry, leadership, spiritual and social activities. But above all our mission comes to life when people share their life journey, break bread, speak heart to heart, laugh, cry, study, believe and celebrate together. The college scene is often viewed as a place of secularism, but the fact is that students are very interested in spirituality and religion. Campus ministry is here because making sense and meaning and purpose of studies and life need to be at the core of education. The great Cardinal Newman, for whom we are named, said, "Religion cannot stifle or restrict the intellect, only enlighten and enlarge it." If you want to know more about what happens at the Newman Center and how you can connect with us, you can check our website at www.rollanewman.org.

Perhaps the enclosed little prayer will help you to worry less and trust more as your child embarks upon this new phase of their life journey. As the director of Catholic Campus Ministry, it is truly a blessing to see the flowering and the giving birth of adult faith in so many young adults. Their faith would not have grown had the seeds not been planted by you. Affirmation, support, loving challenge, openness to questions and struggles, and prayer were Jesus' way of inviting and calling people to life. It must be ours as well. And always we remember that it is God who gives the grace and the increase.

Thank you for this time and for entrusting your child to our care.  I hope that you stop in to visit us when you are in Rolla or feel free to call anytime. UMR Family Day is Saturday, September 30. If you will be attending UMR Homecoming events, please join us at the Newman Center for our Annual Wine and Cheese Social on Saturday October 21 after the 5 pm Mass. Thank you for all the faith and love you have sown in the heart of your child.

In the Peace of Christ,

Sr. Denise Descoteaux, OSF
Director of Catholic Campus Ministry
director@rollanewman.org