November 18, 2024
In honor of Mission & Heritage Week, take a moment to meet the new Director of Campus Ministry, Sr. Nicole.
What drew you to Ursuline College?
I just completed my master’s in divinity before applying for this position at Ursuline College. Part of my practical education was working at a social justice retreat center where we worked with high school and college students to expose them to Chicago through the lens of service and justice. I loved working with that age and was delighted to continue that work at Ursuline College.
You’ve been at Ursuline for a little over three months now. What are your first impressions? What have you learned?
I am learning patience. We have many opportunities for our students--which is great--but it means there are many things vying for their attention. It takes time to build those relationships, for students to know the routine of the Campus Ministry. The ministry is growing as I know many more students now. But I need to learn patience, consistency, and perseverance.
What are your goals for Ursuline College’s Campus Ministry?
My immediate goal for Ursuline’s Campus Ministry is to build student leadership. My long-term vision is to use a model of small faith communities to ensure that each of our students has a spiritual home on campus. Using a small community model there could be communities for people of different faiths, groups for the residence halls, for sports, and more. This would also create a culture of leadership in campus ministry.
What are your plans to engage students?
Right now I am focusing on routine and consistency. Since the Office of Campus Ministry was inactive for the past year, I’m focusing on relationships. I try to talk with our students when I see them in the halls and listen to what they are passionate about.
How will you support students of other faiths or no faith?
This is an aspect I was very excited about in the campus ministry at Ursuline. On a very basic level, I am trying to create options. We have mass on Sundays, but we also have an ecumenical worship service. I plan to reach out to established groups to listen to their needs and ask how I can support them. I am running the bible study more like a faith-sharing group where we can reflect on various things. We could use a poem, a picture, a song, or scripture. Much of that can be accessed by people of any/no faith. Service opportunities are very naturally inclusive. I am introducing a reflection component and I am careful to use inclusive language when I ask students to reflect.
What inspires you?
Our students inspire me. I am often in awe of their depth of reflection, their depth of faith, and their vulnerability.
What do you do for fun?
I like to read, particularly science fiction books. After three years of reading heavy theological books for my master’s degree, it is refreshing to have the time to read for pleasure again. I also enjoy painting. For me, it is a form of prayer, a way God speaks to me. When I am painting, I don’t have to think, I just feel.
