Campus Ministry Flourishes
At Felician University
- PostEagle
- June 22, 2016
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- Featured
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Rutherford and Lodi, NJ — It was a very busy and productive year for Campus Ministry at Felician University in New Jersey. Father Rich Kelly (director) and Sister Teresa Marie Soltys (assistant director) oversaw an overall increase of 250% in student participation in Campus Ministry activities over the prior academic year.
“It has been a wonderful year for Campus Ministry,” said, Fr. Rich. “We saw many students living our Felician-Franciscan values through service to others. We challenged them to deepen their faith, live compassionately, and strive for peace and justice in our world and in our community.” In photo: Fr. Rich blesses graduates at Felician’s Baccalaureate Mass 2016.
Felician students reached out to the homeless in New York City on four separate dates, serving more than 200 individuals as part of the “Midnight Run” experience. This volunteer effort allowed students to make late night trips to New York City to distribute food, clothing and personal care items to the City’s homeless living on the streets. In addition, prior to the scheduled trip, students collected, packed and prepared clothing and food for distribution. Each Midnight Run involved approximately 45 students, for a total of more than 180 Felician students participating in this outreach.
Through Campus Ministry, students participated in other efforts to feed the poor. As part of Franciscan Heritage week, students sponsored a bake sale to support Cross Catholic Outreach. Proceeds were sent to help feed the poorest in our world. Several times during the year, a group of students volunteered at Eva’s Village in Paterson, New Jersey to help feed needy women and children.
In photo: Felician students prepare sandwiches and snacks for Midnight Run 2016
Felician students did not neglect the poor and the hungry close to home, supporting the two Campus Ministry-sponsored food collections during the year to benefit the Rutherford Food Pantry. Additionally, at Christmas time clothing and toys were collected and donated to Zion Baptist Church in Newark. A number of students also volunteered to help with the recent walk-a-thon held by the Felician Exceptional School on the Lodi campus.
Campus Ministry trained new student lectors and Eucharistic ministers to service at campus-wide Liturgies, and the RCIA process culminated in two students being fully initiated into the faith and nine more confirmed in a beautiful service in the Immaculate Conception Sisters chapel in Lodi.
On Friday, May 13, 2016 Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated in the Sisters Chapel in Lodi to commemorate the achievement of almost 500 graduates.
Father Rich is excited about what’s in store for next year. “Campus Ministry looks forward to continuing the mission of the Felician Sisters as we live out those values in word and deed!” he said.
Susan Bernarducci
Communications – Felician University
In photo on left: Sr. T at Eva’s Village 2016
