St. Gregory the Great Parish, Williamsville
The parish employs two college interns during the summer months to do outreach with their 1100 + registered college students. Summer weekly gatherings, end of summer party is held with raffles and free picnic. Interns manage a database and Facebook site for students. The parish invites students to view mass online via the parish's online live feed.
Our parish collaborated with youth ministers and young adult volunteers from southtown’s parishes to develop an outreach ministry to young adults. “RE” ministry circulates to various parishes throughout the Diocese on a monthly basis. There is an MC to coordinate the evening, a Praise and Worship band made up of young adults who play upbeat and reflective contemporary Christian music, and a presider for Eucharistic Adoration. Each night begins with gathering music, followed by a speaker on inspirational Catholic topics, reflective music, and Eucharistic Adoration. The evenings close with prayer and benediction. Every evening concludes with food and fellowship for participants.
This ministry offers a place for young adults to gather, to pray, to socialize, to reflect, to grow in their understanding of their faith and to develop their personal prayer life.
Not only has this been enriching for the participants, but the young adults who are involved in this ministry and the music ministry piece have been shaped and formed in their personal faith through their role as ministers to others.
For more information email Eileen Warner or call 716-688-5678
The Newman Center at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Amherst
In order to reach out to freshmen and transfer students at UB, the Newman Center had created “welcome packs” for new students who attend UB’s July orientations and January transfer orientation. These “welcome packs” were made up of items to help them spiritually, emotionally, and physically and consisted of a red backpack with a Newman Center lanyard and keychain inside. Also inside was a packet of flyers for upcoming events such as Student Mass, Wednesday Night Dinner and Bible-Bits (our student Bible study). Students appreciated these welcome packs and often commented “I love free stuff!” An initial survey was distributed to incoming freshmen and transfer students at the summer orientations. These surveys were printed out and students were asked to complete them at orientation. Perhaps it would have been better to enclose an envelope and they could take it and mail it to us. The survey seemed to overwhelm the students.
In order to welcome the new students to our center, we held a Welcome Back Cook-out and Praise Kraze concert. Students were able to meet new people, enjoy a free meal and listen to some great Christian rock bands. Throughout the year students were also encouraged frequently to attend Newman Center activities such as: Student Mass, Wednesday Night Dinner, Pizza with a Purpose, Alternative Spring Break, Habitat for Humanity, Seekers Retreat and our Newman Center sandwich ministry. At the end of the students’ first year, we held a End of the Year Cook-out where a follow-up survey was distributed.
For more information email Katie Koch or call 716-636-7495
St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Tonawanda
Our main goal was to keep contact with, encourage & communicate “we are thinking about you and praying for you in your time away at college, at home at college, in the military, or in the work force” to all recently graduated high school people connected with our parish.
We invited all from this target group, encouraging them to bring friends, to a kickoff
gathering on August 7th after 4:30 mass. We had a “coffee house” atmosphere with entertainment and refreshments. We made up drawstring bags with care-package items inside. We also gathered contact information and whether or not they desired to be contacted periodically. We learned that the date and time of our gathering was not the most effective, and personally contacted others on our roster who wanted to attend but were unable.
- At mid-term exam time, we sent notes of encouragement and “goodies” in the mail.
- At Christmastime, we sent advent reflections and notes of encouragement.
- During Christmas break, we had another Coffee-house-type gathering and saw several more attendees.
Young people often sent back notes, texts or facebook posts, thanking us for our thoughtfulness. We have also seen more of the young people who were not attending church prior to the initiative coming around more. One in particular has gotten very involved in our Special Needs faith formation program as an aid. Also, we have been approached by parents of our target group, letting us know they appreciate the church’s interest in their children.
To hear the parish presenation at a recent event listen here:
For more information email Sue Ann Saltarelli or call 716-693-1150
Immaculate Conception Parish, Ransomville
Niagara County Community College (NCCC) is 2.5 miles from the parish proper and within our parish boundaries. We felt this gave us a unique opportunity to provide a Catholic faith-based resource to the young adults of our Parish involved in the college experience. We felt called to serve students attending NCCC ; other colleges and college bound students of Immaculate Conception Church, as well as any other young adults interested in growing in their faith by providing a positive Catholic Christian social and spiritual support group. Thereby enabling them to face the challenges to their faith belief that is prevalent in the academic world.
The Holy Spirit took control of the project from there on. When we were awarded the grant, we made a call to the Dean of Student Affairs who was very positive, excited about the project and willing to meet with a group of adults and one young adult to put into motion the formation of the Catholic Club of Niagara Community College. We are truly graced to have a faculty advisor Gail who is a faith filled individual with a willingness to share her faith with the students. The club had to be student based to be accepted by the student governing body. There were several students that were deeply involved in the quest to write the club constitution and get all the paper work filled out correctly. We are blessed to have Gail and students who want the Catholic Club to succeed and who willingly gave their time and considerable talents to that end goal. By the time the constitution was written, the 10-15 students had signed the petition to have the club, the first semester had almost ended. The club really got off its feet with in the second semester. While the students came to the parish campus, the majority of meetings were held at the college due to time and travel constraints. This time not only worked well for the students, but importantly gave non club students an opportunity to see that this club actually met and did things together. Their presence on campus gave rise to questions and conversation about the club and their faith with fellow students. Although some students were not able to attend meetings, the very fact that there was a Catholic Club on campus was very important to them.
The number of students who are attending mass at our parish has increased, and the students in the club are looking at and planning ways to use our campus as a Neumann Club model. According to the students the best thing they participated in was a trip to Our Lady of Victory Basilica. They met for 9am Mass at the parish had a light breakfast and then went for a tour of the Basilica with our Pastor Fr. Joe. They decided they wanted to stay for the Noon Mass at the Basilica and had dinner after. Dinner lasted for about two hours with an in-depth discussion, questions and answers with Fr. Joe and an advisor.
To listen to the parish's presentation click below:
For more information email Fr. Joe Badding or call 716-731-4822
St. Mary of Lourdes, Mayville & Bemus Point
The parish engaged college-aged young adults and their parish council in using and discussing a leadership development tool entitled Strengths Finder 2.0. They have looked on how to partner personal strengths for leadership development and ultimately to engage more college students into parish life.
For more information email Kathy Nicastro or call 716-753-2332
St. John the Baptist Parish, Lockport
The parish has shown a welcoming attitude to this age group. We have a better understanding of the college age young adult. This is a step in expanding lifelong faith formation in the parish. One young adult has chosen to be a junior high catechist, was on the confirmation retreat team, helps out with the youth group activities, and attends adult Bible study in the parish.
For more information email Cheryl Donnelly or call 716-433-5792
We can provide resources, consultations, and helpful advice. Please contact Laurie Marshanke (lmarshanke@buffalodiocese.org) or 716-847-8789 for more details.