The Catholic Phoenix - Fall 2012

FA L IS L 2 SU 01 E 2 ELON UNIVERSITY

CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY Truitt Center Campus Box 2960 Elon, NC 27244 www.elon.edu/ccm SUNDAY MASS TIMES: Elon Community Church 6pm & 9pm WEDNESDAY NIGHT CATHOLIC: Holt Chapel (South Campus) 7:07pm - Rosary, 7:30pm - Mass STAFF: Campus Minister Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv. gwaterman@elon.edu 336-278-7355 Business Manager Trung Huynh-Duc tduc@elon.edu 336-446-9226

By Maggie Liston, class of 2016 think the word “new” is a daunting word for every college freshman. Each of us is faced with a new school, new friends, new challenges, and a new life. Freshmen have pressure surrounding every aspect of their lives – to fit in with the student body, to stay healthy, to maintain a stellar GPA, and to still find time to do that last load of laundry that every one of us has been avoiding. I always wondered what my new “home” would be like in college.

Well, it is two months into my college career at Elon University and I thank God that He has surrounded me with the vibrant and welcoming community of Catholic Campus Ministry. The moment I walked into the Newman Center with my family during Move-In Weekend, I was greeted by an army of smiling faces and open arms, ready to show me around and welcome me to the Catholic community at Elon. I left the reception with a new excitement about my faith and the people that would fill my life for the

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next four years.

In September, I took part in the Beach Retreat that CCM offers every fall. I thought it would be nice to get off campus for a weekend, soak up the sun, and maybe gain a little peace in the chaos of the first weeks of college – but what I ended up with was a new family. Amid spiritual reflection, exploring an old fort, chasing after dolphins, and Mass on the beach, I formed bonds with friends that I can picture myself with throughout my entire life at Elon.

Catholic Campus Ministry is now an integral part of my life. My friends and I camp out in the Newman Center to study or watch a movie, play on the CCM intramural team (the “Cathletes” are the team to beat), attend Mass every Sunday and Wednesday, and much, much more. Ironically, I started my “new” journey at the “Newman” Center at Elon and I couldn’t be happier with the path I have chosen.

Peer Ministry Coordinator Anne Marie Wilson awilson33@elon.edu Elon Staff Advisor Amanda Zamzes azamzes@elon.edu STUDENT LEADERS: Kristen Bryar, President Kayleigh Johnson, Vice President Jordan Cottle Taylor Davis Thomas McGuire Meg Taylor Sabrina Urman

Maggie Liston (5th from right) with other first-year students after Fr. Gerry’s second annual CCM Freshmen Dinner at the Newman Center.

By Rachel Wilson, class of 2013

When Elon Catholic Campus Ministry was looking for a new Peer Ministry Coordinator (PMC) last year, I immediately thought of my sister, Anne Marie Wilson, for the job. The PMC plays an integral role in encouraging Elon students to become involved in CCM and helping them to grow in their faith. Anne Marie was preparing to graduate from UNC-Wilmington and was the perfect person for the job. She is one of the kindest, most compassionate, and energetic people I know. It is already evident that her presence is having a positive impact on the participation and inclusion of Elon students in CCM. What do you like best about being the PMC for Elon CCM? AM: I love being a part of the students’ faith development and helping them to become active in CCM. I enjoy working with Father Gerry and T, especially because they are so passionate about their jobs. And I really just enjoy working with the students to build a good, Catholic faith community at Elon.

What kind of CCM activities and programs have you become most involved in?

AM: I really love everything. I enjoy Wednesday Night Catholic, with its community rosary and Mass, as a midweek time to regroup and renew my faith. I’ve also loved getting involved in the intramurals (flag football and soccer, thus far) and the nursing home visits because I get to see how active the students are in and around the community.

What do you hope to accomplish with your time here with Elon CCM? AM: At the end of this amazing experience, I hope to say that I am leaving behind a stronger and more active faith community. I also hope to help it continue to grow for current and future students as a way to get involved with and help their community here at Elon University.

By Sabrina Urman, class of 2015 This year’s alternative fall break trip was my second with CCM. Like my last trip, it was a great time to make new friends and serve those in need. This year we had the added bonus that our new Peer Ministry Coordinator, Anne Marie Wilson, graduated from UNC-Wilmington and knew awesome places to check out in town during our free time. As soon as we arrived in Wilmington, we were instantly welcomed by the UNCW Catholic Campus Ministry. They have an off-campus house that serves as their Newman Center. Their Campus Minister, Sr. Rose, was warm and welcoming and made all of us feel like part of the UNCW CCM family. Another friendly face that greeted us was Abby, their most active canine member!

Our service events began on Saturday at Good Shepherd Center, a soup kitchen where we spent the morning sorting and cleaning food donations. What’s really cool is that they also redistribute extra donations to over twenty other organizations in Wilmington. Later in the day, we went on a technology-free retreat called “Thumbs Up” with UNCW, where we reflected on God’s presence in our lives and spent an hour alone reflecting on the beach.

On Sunday, the boys helped Sr. Rose with yard work, while the girls painted

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porch and yard furniture, turning the red tables and green chairs to brilliant shades of UNCW blue and teal. Helping Sr. Rose and giving back to UNCW CCM was so rewarding and helped us show our appreciation for making us feel like part of their community. Later that evening for Mass, we were even invited to help serve, with Jordan Cottle as a Eucharistic minister and Jordan Jeter as a lector. Afterwards, UNCW made a great Sunday supper of spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread.

The next two days we worked with Sr. Isaac at the Tileston outreach program.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church in downtown Wilmington opened Tileston medical clinic and social outreach programs to better serve the community. They provide men, women, and children with emergency food packages, clothing, funding, guidance, and household start-ups. The first day, Jordan and I sized and folded sheets, while others sorted adult and children’s clothes or fetched household goods for the social ministry’s clients. The next day I worked sorting baby clothes and creating cute outfit sets with Grace.

Like last year’s trip, the short break was a great time to get to know others in CCM, serve others and reflect on how we were lucky enough to be able to impact others’ lives and serve God in the process.

Catholic Campus Ministry

Thank you. Catholic Campus Ministry at Elon University is incredibly grateful for the generous financial support we have received over the past year. We rely on our donors as our primary revenue source to fund our programs, events, supplies, and personnel. The following list recognizes the nearly 200 donors who made a financial gift to Catholic Campus Ministry during the Elon fiscal year from June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list. If you have any questions, please contact T Huynh-Duc at tduc@elon.edu.

St. Francis of Assisi Circle* $10,000 +

* Members of The Elon Society

The Flatley Foundation

St. Clare of Assisi Circle*

$5,000 - $9,999 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Foley Mr. and Mrs. Clay King

St. Anthony of Padua Circle*

$2,500 - $4,999 Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Reily Mr. and Mrs. John Treseler Blessed Sacrament Church

St. Bonaventure Circle*

$1,500 - $2,499 Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hirsch Dr. Mary Knight-Mckenna and Mr. Joseph Knight-McKenna Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Martin Dr. Elizabeth Van Horn and Mr. Mark Van Horn

St. Maximilian Kolbe Circle

$500 - $1,499 Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Bradley Mr. Joseph D’Ambrosio and Mrs. Martha Taylor Mr. Richard Gros and Mrs. Kathleen Somerville-Gros Mr. and Mrs. Trung Huynh-Duc Mr. and Mrs. Neil Jinkins Ms. Carolyn King Mr. and Mrs. David L’Heureux Dr. and Dr. Richard Letvak Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Leupold Mr. Francis Moersdorf Mr. and Mrs. Kendall Overman Mr. and Mrs. Mark Savarese Ms. Tracy Schell Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Thompson Dr. and Dr. Michael Touloupas

St. Joseph of Cupertino Circle $250 - $499 Mr. and Mrs. Michael Aquino Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Button

Serving Elon University

Mr. and Mrs. John Casey Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dilaura Mr. and Mrs. John Feeney Dr. and Mrs. Lee Frueh Mr. and Mrs. Michael Guyton Ms. Miriam Harris Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Lutes Mr. and Mrs. Steven McCord Ms. Patti Ann McCullock Mr. Jordan McFarland Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Moriarty Mr. Dennis O’Connell Mr. Sean Overman Mr. and Mrs. Ron Petnuch Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Small Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv.

Guardian Angels Society $1 - $249 Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Achey Mr. and Mrs. Aram Andonian Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bailey Ms. Ashley Barnas Mr. and Mrs. Ian Beckstead Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Berry Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus Bond Mr. and Mrs. James Brainard Dr. and Mrs. David Bresticker Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Brockmyre Mr. and Mrs. John Burbridge Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Cade Mr. Thomas Cafasso Mr. and Mrs. James Chadwick Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cinquemani Mr. and Mrs. Flavio Connor Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Cooney Mr. and Mrs. Richard Crawford Mr. Matthew Cunningham Mr. Jimmy Curiazza Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cutlip Mr. and Mrs. Dominic D’Ambrosio Mr. and Mrs. Nicolo Damiano Ms. Kelsey Davis Mr. and Mrs. O’Neill D’Cruz Mr. and Mrs. Joseph De Vito Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Dec Ms. Carrie Dilger Ms. Emily Dillard Mr. Thomas Dimond and Mrs. Joan Ebzery Mr. and Mrs. John D. Dolan Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Dong Mr. and Mrs. John Dougherty Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dudiak Mr. Patrick Duffy Mr. and Mrs. Ron Duffy Ms. Barbara Dunning

2012 Family Weekend Mass

Ms. Carla Duszlak Mr. and Mrs. Gary Elefante Mr. and Mrs. Robert Esplin Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Evans Mr. and Mrs. Russell Feather Mr. and Mrs. David Feld Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Finneran Dr. and Mrs. Vincent Firrincieli Mr. and Mrs. Martin Fischer Mr. and Mrs. Steven Fishman Ms. Lauren K. Flood Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Folger Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Forinash Mr. and Mrs. John Goodwin Mr. and Mrs. Robert Greenberg Mr. Peter Guyton Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hampton Mr. and Mrs. Warren Haney Ms. Patricia E. Hatley Mr. and Mrs. Mark Henke Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Higgins Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hill Mr. and Mrs. Phil Hogan Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Hojnacki Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Houghton Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hren Mr. and Mrs. Brian Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jones Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Keenan Mr. and Mrs. John Kilmartin Mr. and Mrs. Paul Koch Mr. Clifton Kolwicz Mr. and Mrs. F. Paul Koonts Mr. Derek Powers Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Krasinski Mr. and Mrs. William Kuntz Mr. and Mrs. Joseph LaFleur Mr. and Mrs. Donald Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lomenzo Mr. and Mrs. John Lynn Mr. and Mrs. Michael Madden Mr. and Mrs. James Mader Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Magee Dr. and Mrs. Vincent Margherita Mr. and Mrs. Michael Matarazzo Mr. and Mrs. Michael McCoury Ms. Margaret McGill Ms. Sarah McKenna Mr. and Mrs. Jesus Mendoza Mr. George Merrill and Mrs. Susan Kroeger Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Miller Ms. Mary Christina Minor Mr. and Mrs. James Moody Mr. and Mrs. Elias Mozloom Mr. Charles D. Muller Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mulvihill

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Murray Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Nagel Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Novak Ms. Mary Patricia O’Connell Ms. Christine Pahl Dr. Mark Papich and Dr. Marcy Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Payne Mr. and Mrs. Clark Powers Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Preudhomme Dr. Timothy Prince and Mrs. Mary Robin Neel Dr. James Rafael Mr. and Mrs. Steven Regan Ms. Emily Regan Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Reinckens Mr. and Mrs. M. Delmar Ritchie Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rooney Ms. Megan Ross Mr. Chris Sainz Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sanford Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Savarese Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sawyer Ms. Erin Sawyer Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Senackerib Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Serany Mr. Raymond Sharnsky Mr. and Mrs. James Shuback Mr. and Mrs. Steven Shust Mr. and Mrs. John Simermeyer

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sinclair Mr. J. Robert Smeaton Ms. Margaret Sperdini Mr. Justin Sposato St. Peter’s Church, Pt Pleasant, NJ Mr. and Mrs. Francis Steltzer Ms. Genevieve Street Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sulva Mr. and Mrs. David Tamayo Mr. and Mrs. Francis Taylor Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Troccoli Mr. and Mrs. Walter Urman Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Van Note Mr. and Mrs. Roger Waesche Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Waterman, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Weingarten Mr. and Mrs. John Welshofer Mr. and Mrs. Terrance Whalen Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wheeler Mr. Nolan Wildfire Ms. Jennifer Wise Ms. Lauren Wisniewski Mr. and Mrs. Gene Wisniewski Ms. Amanda Zamzes Mr. and Mrs. James Zidar Mr. and Mrs. Mark Zimpelman Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Zinn Mr. and Mrs. Paul Zitelli

My name is Rob Smeaton. I am a 2009 graduate, currently working as a pharmaceutical rep in Wilmington, NC. Thanks to Fr. Gerry, I am also actively involved in my church, St. Therese in Wrightsville Beach, and I also volunteer on multiple boards and committees in town.

I loved attending Elon University and am lucky enough to have had my two younger brothers follow me there. I have built great friendships with the people I’ve met in CCM, and I still maintain those friendships today. I feel that it is important to give back to organizations that have helped me grow into the person I am, which is why I set up a monthly donation to CCM. It was easy to initiate it through the online form, and now I know that every month, I am helping CCM to fulfill its mission.

Someone before me at Elon had a great experience in CCM, and they donated, thus allowing me to grow in my faith. Now I hope my donation does the same for a current student.

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ith the Apostolic letter of October 11, 2011, Porta Fidei (door of faith), Pope Benedict XVI declared a Year of Faith, which commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the twentieth anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In Porta Fidei, the Holy Father challenges us to rediscover the joy of believing and the enthusiasm for communicating the Catholic faith in the New Evangelization. Here on Elon’s campus, we fully accept this challenge.

Already, our annual beach retreat revealed many enthusiastic students, alive in their faith, active in their former churches and thus open to sharing their faith journey. The retreat also revealed students who are seeking to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, to offer themselves in service to their sisters and brothers, not only on campus, but in the local community. All of our small faith-sharing groups focus weekly on the gift of faith we have all received, and how particularly and practically it manifests itself in each of our lives.

Once a month, I will afford students the opportunity to offer a brief witness to their faith at a Sunday Mass. We will also offer an evening program each month called Renewed in Faith, with topics such as: our life in Christ, our devotion to the Eucharist as the focal point of our lives as Catholics, the many forms of prayer and the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We will encourage students to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation more often as they grow closer in faith to the Jesus they have come to know and serve. Finally, each Sunday at Mass we will close our Prayers of Intercession with a special prayer for the Year of Faith.

I am excited and privileged to begin this process on a campus with such wonderfully engaging students, thirsting for a greater faith and the love that our Catholic community here at Elon University provides.

- Fr. Gerry

2011-2012 Annual Report

Thank you to all the donors who made a financial gift to Catholic Campus Ministry at Elon University last year.

How I Found My New Home at Newman

by Maggie Liston

Meet Anne Marie Wilson, Peer Ministry Coordinator

by Rachel Wilson

Fall Break to Wilmington, NC

by Sabrina Urman

Supporting the Faith: Alumni Giving Back

by Rob Smeaton