By Anthony Selvanathan
Special to the Herald
Chaminade University’s Campus Ministry began the academic year revitalized and refreshed.
It has offered popular programs and events on the Kaimuki campus, brought the student body together to celebrate liturgies and performed service to the local community. Such success reflects the ministry’s new mission statement: “to intensify our Catholic and Marianist identity across the campus community.”
Marianist Brother Mark Motz elaborates on that thought: “Community is the essential context of all things Marianist and is both our end and our means. We teach and encourage the importance of students participating in the world as members of a community that belong to the Universal Church — one that draws strength from the other members and offers gifts and talents in return.”
Campus Ministry serves the 1,300 undergraduate students who attend the university. The department continues to offer programs to enrich student life, such as “Feeding the Hungry” events and the bi-annual Awakening Retreat. A prayer service for the School of Nursing, small faith communities, and a Mass for student athletes are all Campus Ministry initiatives.
“Campus Ministry is enhancing the services it offers to the community and the campus,” said Marianist Brother Brandon Alana, Chaminade’s pastoral campus minister. “We are doing that by looking at our liturgies and ensuring that they are vibrant and life-giving experiences.”
“We are also examining the retreats we offer our students,” he said, “ensuring that they are faithful to our mission of providing quality faith formation, faith enrichment and spiritual development opportunities.”
Chaminade’s Campus Ministry celebrates a Mass for students every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. when classes are in session. Led by student ministers and the student choir, the evening liturgy brings together approximately 80 students and community members to worship in Mystical Rose Oratory.
A community Eucharist is celebrated every Sunday at 10 a.m.
The director of campus ministry, Danny O’Regan, at the helm of the department for a year and a half, shines a light on the ministry’s community engagement.
“Our department is expanding its opportunities for students to get engaged in issues of social justice and service,” he said. “We are also making an effort to highlight the many great works that the students of Chaminade undertake.”
“So much work is done, and so many lives are changed through their Christian discipleship,” O’Regan said.
Students appear to be pleased with the programs that Campus Ministry provides.
Martin Moore, a sophomore majoring in international relations, said, “Campus Ministry this year is very open and current with their events, which we as students appreciate.”
Campus Ministry promises more opportunities for liturgy, ministry and service, including service immersions. To find out more about Chaminade and its Campus Ministry, visit the Chaminade University website at www.chaminade.edu or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cuhministry.
