MadisonShaffar

When it comes to the Marian Core Value of spirituality, the Campus Ministry department has the school covered. The team of Liturgist Mrs. Anna Kolterman, Deacon Kevin Fuller, Theology teacher Ms. Sara Greisch and Sister Jackie Thorn, O.S.M. lead the school in both daily spiritual practices and larger spiritual events.

“A lot of what we do in Campus Ministry is faith-based leadership training,” Kolterman said. Through the different ministries, the department works to ensure that “the foundation of faith upon which our school was founded is strong,” she said. 

Since Marian first opened in 1955, Campus Ministry has had a wide range of responsibilities within the school community. 

Every year, students have the opportunity to apply for positions including Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs), morning prayer leaders, lectors, service site leaders, retreat leaders, Faith In Action Team (FIAT) members and FIAT core team members. 

One of the most sought after positions is retreat leader. For Freshman and Sophomore Retreat, upperclassmen are needed to serve as leaders, core team and shadow crew. 

For each retreat, the students consistently meet with the Campus Ministry leaders to prepare to guide groups of students and create memorable experiences for each class through team building, service and reflection activities. These experiences not only enrich the faith-filled Marian experiences of the classes on the retreats, but also increase involvement for the upperclassmen leaders.

Junior Charlee Novotny has been a Sophomore and Freshman retreat leader this year, and enjoys being involved in the ministry community. “Campus Ministry shows me new ways to express my faith and gives me the confidence to share it with others,” Novotny said. 

“I’ve enjoyed stepping into new leadership roles within my school community and finding new ways to look at my own faith life.”

Another large group within the Campus Ministry department is FIAT. Through FIAT, students work to further their faith by helping others through activities. These activities include Mass planning, awareness campaigns and large-group projects, such as the Operation Christmas Child toy drive and a projected feminine hygiene product drive in the spring. 

Selected members of FIAT work on the core team, which serves as the overall student leaders for large-group Campus Ministry. 

These nine students find new ways to implement faith and service into daily life, as well as choose the Campus Ministry theme for each year. Having a theme to follow helps make each year’s goals unique and connects all members of Campus Ministry with one common idea.

For the 2023-2024 school year, the theme is “Extend.” Within this theme, students focus on “extending faith, service and compassion to others in the Marian community,” Kolterman said.

Junior Mary Kate Farnham is a member of the FIAT Core Team. In this role, Farnham helps plan Masses and organize school-wide projects. 

“I think it is important for students to be involved in different ministries at Marian because it helps you meet new people and to create openness surrounding your experiences,” Farnham said. 

Campus Ministry not only teaches students how to live their faith, but also encourages them to make new connections within their activities.

Within each ministry, the department works to “bring out the best in girls to help build community with one another,” Kolterman said. 

Through every retreat, service, Mass and FIAT experience, Campus Ministry is able to reach out to students and accomplish this goal with enthusiasm and spirituality in mind.