Project Overview

When a young person begins college they are at a particularly vulnerable and pivotal time in their spiritual development. Moving into adulthood, they are often living on their own for the first time, exposed to newfound freedom and a broader world at a level that they’ve never before experienced. They are interacting with a diverse group of peers, both socially and academically, entering conversations and relationships where their beliefs and values are significantly tested. Their mind and their spirit are open to new ideas, bringing an intellectual confidence to bear on discussions. This is often interwoven with still powerful adolescent peer pressure or perhaps an independent spirit eager to break from expectations and rituals imposed by their family life. During this deeply impressionable developmental window they begin to ask in earnest some of the bigger questions in life.

It is at this crossroads that Catholic campus ministry finds its home, seeking to meet college students’ diverse faith formation needs. At Rutgers University, whose enrollment approaches 35,000 students, Catholics comprise the single largest religious body on campus—nearly 40% of the enrollment. Rather than be daunted by this challenge, the Catholic Campus Ministry at Rutgers University (CCMRU) has inspired resurgence in interest, visibility and effectiveness and seeks to further grow its programs and its impact.

Effective Outreach to Students

Deepening faith and building relationships in community is the heart of the Catholic Ministry’s mission. The foundation and success of CCMRU is relational outreach to students, a distinct approach for college ministry. The staff is comprised of religious from the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, the Sisters of Jesus our Hope, the Brotherhood of Hope, the Associate Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Metuchen, as well as several interns. They are out on campus meeting and interacting with students where they live their life.

Through a variety of activities, services and events, Catholic Campus Ministry seeks to offer a safe haven where students are able to grow in their knowledge and practice of the faith, experience a meaningful sense of service to the community, and come to a deeper understanding of their call to discipleship. Taking the New Evangelization of Pope John Paul II as the model, the staff strives to prepare students for the work of spreading the Gospel, not only at the University, but in their future communities as well.

Even greater prominence of our faith will be possible through providing the study of the Catholic Church in the academic world at Rutgers University. In a separate initiative, the University is in the process of establishing an Endowed Chair in Catholic Studies that will make it possible to attract and retain one of the top scholars in the field. This will integrate Catholic studies into the fabric of University course offerings and intellectual discourse.

The New Catholic Center’s Prominent Presence

The former campus ministry buildings on Mine Street were old, undersized, and in disrepair. As the necessity for space has increased to serve our core constituency, so has the need to provide a spiritual haven for our young Catholic faithful as they negotiate their way in and through a large secular university environment. An opportunity arose when the convent at St. Peter the Apostle Parish – positioned at the Gateway section of the city, adjacent to the New Brunswick train station and Rutgers Book Store - became vacant. Relocating the Center to this location satisfies the need for more space and provides greater visibility, prominence and pride for the Catholic presence on campus.

Initial renovations and restoration were undertaken and the Most Reverend Paul G. Bootkoski, Bishop of Metuchen dedicated the new 15,000 square foot space in April 2010. It includes a 50-seat chapel, and the first floor features of a community room, kitchen, and entrance lobby. The second floor houses offices, counseling rooms and has Wi-Fi access. The basement, which includes a small recreation room, still requires installation of a kitchen. Renovation of the adjacent church basement hall will provide room for larger gatherings. The renovation of the former Convent was respectful of the Convent’s historical character, transforming it into space that is both intimate enough to be welcoming, yet large enough to be non-intimidating for a first-time college student visitor.

The Need and Opportunity to Sustain CCMRU

A significant portion of the resources required for phase one of renovations have been secured through the sale of the Mine Street property to Rutgers University ($ 2 million) and from private donations ($2 million to date). However, additional funds are needed to complete renovations, maintain the building and support the Center’s current and new programming. The Diocese of Metuchen has embarked on a $3,500,000 capital campaign to bring this vision to fruition. This is the Diocese’s first major fundraising effort to strengthen the Catholic Campus Ministry at Rutgers University. The campaign seeks pledges, payable over three to five years, from alumni, philanthropists, clergy, vendors, foundations, parents, grandparents, corporations, parishes, dioceses, archdioceses, and friends. With the dedication and commitment of our donors, Catholic Campus Ministry will be well positioned to serve the needs of thousands of Catholic students at Rutgers University, both today and in the future. To that end, the Diocese of Metuchen seeks to expand private support in these crucial areas:

• Program Endowment that will enable the staff of Catholic Campus Ministry to broaden spiritual, social and educational opportunities for students. $2,000,000
• Capital funds to complete renovations, as well as furnish, outfit and maintain the new site of Catholic Campus Ministry at Rutgers. $1,500,000

Future Catholic Leaders

During the last decade Catholicism and faith in general in our culture, are challenged daily. Over the last two or three generations, a sense of Catholic identity has weakened and the practice of our faith is not as regular or intentional. Despite this, Catholic Campus Ministry at Rutgers University is a faith success story for our young people!

We, who have been blessed with the gift of faith and service, are beckoned by God to seek ways to witness to our faith and bring Christ to others. It is our turn to create and encourage opportunities for the generations of young Catholic men and women who will serve our Church in the future. They are counting on us, and we in turn are depending on them.

The Catholic Campus Ministry at Rutgers University encourages and supports students to build faith relationships that will last and to become future leaders in their parish communities and their faith. Those who support this initiative foster this evangelization and the life-giving love of God in the hearts of young people.