College chaplains offer advice on how college students can keep faith

Published: 2007-08-17

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Staying involved in church activities and with campus Newman centers is key to students keeping the faith while in college, according to college chaplains. "First and foremost, as in all things Catholic, go to Mass," said Father John Nordeman, chaplain of the Newman Center at Pennsylvania's West Chester University. "It is a staple. It is something that we can always count on as being the same, and it is where we go to meet our Lord." He also stressed the importance of prayer, saying that "even five minutes can change your day." Father Edward Windhaus, chaplain of the Tri-College Newman Cluster of Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Swarthmore colleges in Philadelphia, encourages students to expand their prayer lives through the Liturgy of the Hours and contemplative prayer. Prayer without words -- just putting oneself in the presence of God -- can do wonders, he said, suggesting that students "find a quite space -- a niche in a library, an empty chair in a study room" or even to pray while walking to campus.

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