UNIVERSITY APOSTOLATE

FALL 2019

FAITH ON CAMPUS 

"EVERY JULY AND AUGUST, I GET THE CALLS,” says Vinny DaSilva. “Help! My son or daughter is coming to a college in New York. Can you tell me where they can go to Mass?”

DaSilva, director of the University Apostolate of the Archdiocese of New York, reassures parents that there are plenty of Catholic churches in New York – then tells them about the University Apostolate, which serves students at 17 non-Catholic colleges in the archdiocese, including city and state schools, Vassar, the Culinary Institute of America, Columbia and NYU.

In some ways, a campus ministry is like any other college club. “It has student leadership with faculty advisers,” DaSilva says. “They meet in the library, the student center, coffee shops. The goal is to meet students where they are and bring the faith to them.”

Each school’s ministry is connected to a local parish. “We want students to know that the Church’s doors are open to them and they are a vital part of our archdiocese even if they’re only here for a year or two.” They have opportunities to participate in service programs – soup kitchens, food pantries, clothing drives – as well as Catholic liturgy, bible studies and social events.

“Campus ministry gives an alternative to students who don’t want to live the party culture,” DaSilva observes. “Not that they don’t have fun! They have hangouts, parties, but maybe they’re held in the Catholic center. Hopefully this creates a network that remains and expands beyond college.”