John Paul the Great
Catholic campus ministry at the
University of Texas at Tyler by Father Justin Braun, Chaplain “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!” These words in the Letter to the Hebrews, words Bishop Strickland says often, are words that I continue to meditate on as I lean into my second full year of campus ministry at St. John Paul the Great Catholic Campus Ministry, serving college students of the University of Texas at Tyler and Tyler Junior College. Our little campus ministry, begun a little over 7 years ago with just a handful of students, has grown into a flourishing community of students, faculty, and friends who gather for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Confessions, world-class formation, and communal life centered always on the person of Jesus Christ 30
and teachings of His Bride, the Church. And while much has changed, the challenges and opportunities remain always the same: adapting to and meeting our students where they are, with the love and joy of Christ, and bringing them ever closer to His Sacred and Pierced Heart. Under the patronage of St. John Paul II, this ministry finds its impetus and mission in his apostolic letter Pastores Dabo Vobois, which means “I will give you Shepherds.” While this letter focused primarily on the formation of candidates for priesthood, its basic contents relay a great vision for the formation of Christian disciples: focusing on their human, spiritual, intellectual, and apostolic (i.e., mission) development. With this in mind, our outstanding staff and lay missionaries have worked tirelessly to help our students delve deeper into their relationship with the Most Blessed Trinity, especially through the gift of Our Lord in the Eucharist and through the inspiration and intercession of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer. This is manifest