Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry @ King’s University College
Campus Ministry @ University of Windsor and Assumption University
Campus Ministry @ King’s University College
Our Mandate
To seek to nurture and challenge students, staff, faculty and the wider community in order to bring all into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ; to provide programs and services in the areas of advocacy, catechesis, evangelization, community life, prayer and worship, justice and peace, leadership development and spiritual and pastoral counseling; to promote ecumenical and interfaith dialogue and prayer; to serve the People of God and the entire human family. Fr. Béchard serves as Director of King’s University College Campus Ministry Team, whose four lay personnel are funded by the College.
Our Work (2009-2010)
Work is undertaken with and for the larger university community, comprised of almost 3,500 full-time faculty and staff at King’s, working to meet the diverse needs of over 30,000 students of various faith backgrounds at UWO. Provision of Catholic education and training is offered in conjunction with the administration of King’s University College, to chaplains at the secondary and post-secondary levels. Sacramental formation is available year-round to members of our parish and the wider university community through the RCIA process and Scripturally-based faith formation. Work continues with the administration of the College toward the full realization of Ex Corde Ecclesiae. Sunday Eucharist is celebrated, along with weekday Masses, lay-led Liturgy of the Word and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The annual Religious Life Lecture Series is free and open to the public. Collaborative work continues with other faith-based organizations creating meaningful dialogue between Catholics, Jews and Muslims; and UWO Chaplains’ Association, supporting interdenominational services throughout the wider UWO community.
Our Good News Stories
Andres and Maria came to us seeking the completion of their initiation into the Catholic faith through Confirmation, both student refugees to Canada with little to no support in the community. They were received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Upon finding themselves pregnant, they continued to come to us for spiritual direction and support. When Maria delivered Gabriella early and there were complications which resulted in her hospitalization and fear for her life, both Maria and Andres were devastated and once again turned to our faith community for support. Although they were committed to celebrating Gabriella’s baptism with family and friends in a large Church ceremony, but after much prayer and discussion with our chaplains they felt the movement of the Spirit and requested an emergency baptism in the hospital’s critical care unit. Gabriella was baptized and has since started on the road to recovery and her parents have grown in love for and practice of their faith. Gabriella is now home with Mom and Dad and is growing healthier every day.
Campus Ministry @ University of Windsor and Assumption University
Our Mandate
To seek to nurture and challenge students, staff, faculty and the wider community in order to bring all into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ; to provide programs and services in the areas of advocacy, catechesis, evangelization, community life, prayer and worship, justice and peace, leadership development and spiritual and pastoral counseling; to promote ecumenical and interfaith dialogue and prayer; to serve the People of God and the entire human family. Fr. Chris Valka, CSB serves as the chaplain and campus minister to the University of Windsor through Assumption University.
Our Work (2009-2010)
Campus Ministry through Assumption University serves the faculty, staff and over 17,000 students at the University of Windsor. In collaboration with Assumption Church, Campus Ministry reaches out to the Catholic community of West Windsor.
After many years without an active program, campus ministry in Windsor was re-launched in 2010 in the tradition of the Basilian Fathers. The Basilian Motto, “Teach me Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge” guides the work and community of university campus ministry in Windsor. Our aim is to create a community where life’s tough questions can be discussed and through those discussions, people may come to know God’s mercy, love and Truth.
As we seek to engage the very diverse population of the University of Windsor, campus ministry has created spaces and programs that promote hospitality so that doors may be opened to discover the Truth. Our programs are open to all who want to participate and seek to better the whole person – body, mind and spirit.
Through campus ministry’s connection to Assumption Church, students are well aware of the poverty that exists in their local community and seek to bring awareness to areas of injustice and inequality; and when possible, take steps towards positive changes in the community.
Our Good News Stories
Much like the first rain after a long drought, the student and community response to the presence of a campus ministry program have been hard to imagine. Even in such a short time, we have heard from students like Stephanie who fell away from the Church because she thought “she was a bad Catholic.” She is now realizing that God’s love for her trumps her own guilt. Then there is a young Iranian man who has not been able to play the piano since he fled his own country. For almost a month, he has come to play in our chapel space every day and this past week, played for us at Mass (though he had never been before). Or there is Adam, who supported atheist ideas until he heard a homily from Fr. Chris online. Now he comes to Mass and expressed a desire to enter the RCIA program.
These are just a few of the stories we know. In time, we are certain that we will hear from many others who had a discussion with a friend, or encountered an online resource or took a dance class. After all, we are but seed-planters. . . and we are quite content to be so knowing that God is cultivating the fertile fields of Windsor.