A special Family Weekend jubilee brought together Catholic students and their loved ones for a special Mass led by Bishop Michael Burbidge that commemorated a quarter century of Catholic eucharistic celebrations and service at Elon University.
Hundreds of students and their families celebrated a Silver Jubilee Mass on Saturday as Elon University’s Catholic Campus Ministry marked its 25th anniversary with the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, N.C.
The Rev. Gerry Waterman, Elon’s associate chaplain for Catholic Life and the Franciscan friar who has spent nine years guiding Catholic programs and celebrations, detailed that history as part of the Sept. 20 Mass in McCrary Theatre led by Bishop Michael Burbidge.
Catholic Campus Ministry, which started as weekly Mass celebrations first in a classroom before moving to the Elon Community Church, is today a robust ministry that includes Eucharistic celebrations, programs offered through a Catholic Newman Center on South Campus, annual service trips both domestic and international in nature, volunteer work in the Alamance County community, web and print publications that inform students, parents and alumni of program happenings, an intramural sports team, and a small-but-growing alumni presence with events like an upcoming Homecoming jubilee.
Another distinguishing characteristic of today’s Catholic Campus Ministry is how Waterman’s personal relationships transcend students’ time on campus. Since his arrival, Waterman has performed nearly two dozen alumni weddings, and he frequently meets with former students throughout his travels.
Nearly 30 percent of today’s student body identifies as Catholic, by far the largest single denomination at the university. The growth in the number of Catholic students also resulted in additional Catholic Campus Ministry staff, including business manager Trung “T” Huynh-Duc and a peer ministry coordinator who serves for one year. Caroline McKinney, a recent graduate of Belmont Abbey College outside of Charlotte, N.C., is serving in that role for 2014-15.
Waterman said he is amazed at the commitment students show to deepening their relationship with God through Catholic Campus Ministry. “The desire of students to grow in faith, and the desire of students to be of service because of the love of their God, to be living representations of Christ and his disciples, is incredible,” he said.
Looking ahead to the next quarter century, Waterman said he sees the need for another facility that will serve the needs of not only students but the surrounding community. “That to me has to be a long-range goal,” he said, “a larger worship site for Catholic students.”
The Silver Jubilee Mass was followed by a special dinner in McKinnon Hall prior to Elon’s football game against UNC Charlotte.