The Rutgers Catholic Experience
"In a very real sense, the twenty-first century... belongs to you [young people]. I ask you, therefore, to think carefully about the choices in life which you have to make."
- Message to youth from Pope John Paul II at Mass of the Holy Year of Redemption
We know from years of experience that many Catholic students at Rutgers and other large universities get lost in the transition from high school to college. With all of the new experiences and people in their lives they easily miss a few Masses early on and then they wake up one Sunday and realize it has been two years since they last attended Mass! These stuednets generally do not have big issues with their faith; they just get caught up in the college life and drift away.
A program that is being launched in 2011 that is geared for seniors in High School to experience what Catholic Campus Ministry is all about. On Sundays throughout the year, a youth group or high school is invited to participate in our weekly Sunday 8 PM Mass at St. Peter's Church and have an opportunity to meet with some students and chaplains to get them prepared for Catholic life on their own. The point is to have your youth get immersed in a dynamic and spirit-filled Catholic community.
If you are interested in the Rutgers Catholic Experience, please contact our program director, Br. Patrick Reilly at (732)545-6663 or bropatrick@brohope.net