Spirituality in vogue on college campus

With a recent study showing a large majority of college freshmen are interested in spirituality, several campus ministry programs at Utah's universities and colleges are looking to help students strengthen their faith. Some are filled to overflowing, while others are always looking for more members.

In addition to advertising religious worship services on campuses throughout the state, several multifaceted ministry programs are reaching out to young people as most are away from home for the first time and ready to explore new ideas.

Catholic students looking to connect at the University of Utah will find a host of activities and even a way to set up their own Web pages at the Newman Center, just west of President's Circle.

Kim Brainard, a U. student who works as an office assistant at the Newman Center, said peer minister Kim Gallegos has set up a system for student to put together their own Web page profile on www.facebook.com.

"What that does, you can see different students from your own university as well as find old friends." Another tool involves a Newman Center group online, where anyone can sign on to see a list of events, ask questions and create personal blogs. Students who use such technology daily outside a ministry setting will likely be drawn by it, Brainard said.

"It's been pretty effective for people with the same interests and ideas. It's a safe place to discover a bit more about a group to see if it's something you want to go forward with."

In addition, the Newman Center contains a drop-in lounge with TV and games where students can hang out after class. Regular parties, scavenger hunts, dances, praise and worship events, candlelight masses, spiritual talks and retreats are scheduled, along with a student mass at 7 p.m. each Sunday.

When Brainard came to the U. as a freshman, her mother told her to look for the Newman Center. She stumbled on a table the group had set up on campus, and she's been a part of the action now for three years.

"Last year I was a peer minister and I grew so much in my faith . . . Now it's a main support group for me, my home-away-from-home," she said. "It feels like family with the parishioners here. The priests and others involved with it are just guides in my life to make sure my choices and my direction are the place I want to be."

Her early and continued religious involvement is an experience that thousands of young people apparently are seeking at college.