Father Richard A. Miserendino, the chaplain of Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Mary Washington, faced a challenge when he realized that students were not visiting him during the day. To address this, he took the initiative to meet students where they are by setting up a presence at a campus coffee shop. He spends about two hours there a few days a week, displaying a sign on his laptop inviting students to chat with him. The sign reads, “I’m a Catholic priest. Feel free to ask me a question or say hello or chat if you’d like! Have a great day!”.
Despite initial worries about potential resistance on a secular campus, Father Miserendino’s outreach has proven to be very successful. He reports that no one has reacted negatively; instead, he has received support from faculty and staff, and many students have engaged in meaningful conversations with him. On average, eight to twelve students join him during each session.
The conversations range widely, from discussions about faith with students of different backgrounds to personal struggles. For example, he shared insights about God with a Jewish student preparing for study abroad and had an extensive dialogue with a transgender student about identity and faith, emphasizing that God loves everyone.
One student, Killian Petty, initially approached Father Miserendino out of curiosity and is now actively involved in the Catholic community at UMW, eagerly awaiting confirmation. Petty described Father Miserendino as full of life and approachable, noting how this initiative has fostered connections among students.
This coffee shop ministry reflects a broader approach to evangelization reminiscent of Jesus’ teachings, as Father Miserendino emphasizes being present in the community and welcoming those who may not typically engage with the church.
Source: https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/cafe-evangelism-at-the-university-of-mary-washington/
Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Email: pierre.alain.giffard@gmail.com
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