In order for our Campus Ministry to reach out and service students, staff, and faculty of many faiths,
we have on staff a Rabbi, a Protestant Minister, a Priest and a Dominican Sister of Sparkill.

One of our main goals is to offer students the opportunity to be leaders and that includes leading the
Campus Community in expressions of faith and prayer. Our STUDENT MINISTRY TEAM organizes
interfaith prayer services for special occasions; such as, Thanksgiving and gatherings around our
Peace Pole to pray for an end to war and violence. They also organizes weekend and spring
break retreats. In addtion, the team takesresponsibility for involving students in our music ministry and in the roles of Eucharistic Minister, lector and server for our Liturgies. After classes end each year, some
of our students attend the National Dominican Preaching in Action Conference and learn the many
ways to preach using their gifts and talents to bring the gospel to others.

For students of the Catholic faith who may have missed the opportunity to receive one or more
Sacraments in their earlier years, our Campus Ministry offers the RCIA (Revised Christian Initiation
for Adults) Program. We have had students receive Baptism, Penance, First Eucharist and Confirmation.

While service through our Campus Ministry Office is seen as faith in action, our
SPARTAN VOLUNTEERS also regard their service as co-curricular since the
activities afford them experiential learning connected with so much of
their course work. In order to accommodate our students, we have three levels of
involvement. A student may choose to be an ACTIVE MEMBER by attending weekly
meetings and volunteering regularly in such programs as ESL (English as a Second
Language) for immigrants or at a local Assisted Living Facility for Seniors. Active
Members can both run for office or participate in elections.

Many times students' schedules will not allow them to be active members so they become NOMINAL MEMBERS, (carrying the name of Spartan Volunteer) whereby they may give eight hours of service on a MIDNIGHT RUN into the Streets of Manhattan to feed the homeless......

or participate in HABITAT FOR HUMANITY by helping to construct a home for a poor family.

Lastly, so many students, staff and faculty members serve as AUXILIARY MEMBERS by donating food,
toys and clothing to our outreach programs with "Helping Hands", "People to People", and
"Tops for Tots." They also help us by attending our annual Benefit Dinner for a sick child in the
community.

Our students are always looking to expand their knowledge and involvement in social justice issues
and so they formed a United Nations Sub-Committee and joined the Lower Hudson Valley Catholic
College and University Consortium. They have participated in inter-collegiate study days and had a
United Nations Awareness Week on campus. Students were involved in the ONE CAMPAIGN to "Make
Hunger History" and a writing campaign to senators and legislatures to support the Millennium
Development Goals.

Relationships are a very important part of our life and the Campus Ministry Office seeks to offer Opportunities for students to connect with other students in healthy, giving relationships. Through discussion groups, teach-ins, forums, leisure time at the Campus Ministry area, even In our prayer and service time, opportunities for making new and lasting friendships are possible.

For more information contact Sister Madeleine Murphy, O.P., director of Campus Ministry and
Volunteer Services at 845.398.4062