2008 Woodie Awards
College students question faith
Religious involvement does not reflect percentage of Catholics
J. McAvoy & M. Vlach
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Feature
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Father Salvatore Ragusa said that Mass on Sunday night generally has about 125 people in attendance. This includes non-students, making the number of students at Mass approximately 100.
"Obviously there are a lot of students who are Catholic and Christian who we need to…hear from," he said.
However, he mentioned that some students prefer to go to Mass elsewhere. Some like to be around families, others like to go to their home parishes, and some just find different times to be more convenient.
Yet many students who call themselves Catholic simply do not go.
"I would say there are hundreds, hundreds of students that we need to get the message out [to], reach out to, and to say, 'This is your community,'" said Ragusa.
Conversely, non-Catholics often attend Mass as well.
"I do find it very affirming that we have non-Catholics who come to Mass regularly," he said. He mentioned InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) students coming, which is the only faith-based Associated Students group. It is a nationwide evangelical organization that helps the Saint Mary's community grow in its relationship with God. IVCF has about 15 regular members and other students who are involved in the weekly Bible studies.
IVCF President Jeffrey Morgan '10 said, "We do have a calling to bring Christ's love to others on campus; reaching out in small groups, reaching out to freshmen, reaching out to people on the edge of campus." However, he also said that the group has "no exclusivity" and "welcomes people of all faiths or who have no declared faith."
Furthermore, Ragusa said that in the past, there have been Buddhist and Hindu students who attended Mass.
Non-Catholic students also observe their faiths on their own. Ragusa mentioned a Mormon group, an Episcopalian group, and a Jewish group of which he had knowledge.
Religious Education Professor Father John Morris O.P. said, "I think there are some [students] who really participate a lot, but I don't think they are in the majority."
Morris estimated that about 10 percent of students go to Mass regularly or are involved in some sort of religious activity.
However, he did point out that there are other activities that are not necessarily religious, but serve the community in ways consistent with Lasallian values. "There are a lot of other activities students are involved in that deal with social work and Catholic values like CILSA (Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action)," said Morris.
CILSA organizes local and international service projects for students interested in making a difference. Projects include the Alameda Point Collaborative, Leo Center tutoring in Oakland, Jumpstart, relief work in New Orleans, and other volunteer opportunities for current students and graduates.
Students also find other ways to express their faith through Lasallian Community and Santiago Community.
"Both communities have as the foundational themes faith, service and community," said Brother Michael Sanderl, dean of Mission and Ministry.
This faith can be expressed in a number of ways.
"Every time we meet as the Lasallian Community we pray together not only for our community to grow but for the people we are serving and the campus as a whole, and we also go to Mass together every Sunday night," said Lily Manderville '10, one of the Lasallian Community leaders.
The group also discusses religious issues during their quarter credit class, called "Living Lasallian." In their first session of the year, the group answered the question, "What does faith mean to you?"
"It's in those discussions that issues of religion, issues of faith, religious traditions, religious practices emerge as topics for discussion in a way that really honors the voices and the experiences and the questions and the searching of each one of those who are a part of the community," said Sanderl.
Manderville spoke of different beliefs among the students participating. She said, "There are a number of people in both Santiago and Lasallian Community who do question their faith or question what they believe in. And so I'm guessing they probably joined Lasallian Community to really reach a conclusion or to really explore what they believe in."
A recent UCLA study found that more than half of the college juniors surveyed attended religious services regularly when they started college. However, by their junior year, only 29 percent reported doing so. This decrease in attendance could be due to students questioning and exploring their faith.
Mallory Campeau '08 said, "Just because someone says they are Catholic doesn't mean that they go to church or practice it. I think a lot of people were raised Catholic, but don't identify with it as much anymore."
Being away from home gives many students the freedom they need to experiment with their faith and find their own relationship with God. "I grew up going to Catholic school and having everything forced onto me, but now I can figure out what I believe on my own," said Campeau. Thirty-two percent of Saint Mary's students went to a Catholic high school, including Christian Brother's schools. Seven percent went to Lasallian Christian Brother's high schools.
Morris agrees that it is not the school's responsibility to force religion on its students. "I think that its [the school's] first function is education. It's not a catechism class," he said. "The College has a responsibility to make an environment for Catholicism to thrive, but it is ultimately up to the student."
Ragusa mentioned a search for answers as well. "I think there is a revitalization of faith among young people and on the college campus, and it's just really exciting to be part of that and to be able to journey with people who are asking hard questions," he said.