Starting college can mean stepping into a world of new experiences, new friendships, and new challenges. For Catholic students, it can also mean wondering how to keep their faith at the center of it all. For Courtney, finding a Catholic college ministry at the University of Evansville made all the difference.
Growing up Catholic, Courtney was familiar with the rhythms of faith. Sunday Mass was a family tradition, followed by breakfast together. When she transitioned from public school to a private Catholic high school, she found close friendships and grew even closer to Christ.
But as Courtney watched some of her classmates drift away from their faith, she became more aware of how important her relationship with God was.
When it came time to leave home for college, she knew she wanted to continue practicing her faith. She just wasn't sure what that would look like in a new environment.
The Fear of Losing Faith in College
College brings new opportunities, but it can also present real challenges for young Catholics trying to stay connected to their faith. Students leave behind familiar routines, friendships, and parish communities as they navigate new academic demands and social expectations.
Courtney understood those challenges before she even arrived on campus.
“When I got to college, I knew I wanted to continue practicing my faith, but I was scared to be judged and not have anyone to share it with or sit with at Mass.”
She wasn't just looking for a place to attend Sunday Mass. She wanted friends who understood her faith, a community where she could be herself, and people who would encourage her relationship with Jesus.
Courtney knew how easy it could be to get caught up in the college experience and lose sight of what mattered most to her.
“Coming to college, I was very scared of losing my faith and being swallowed by ‘the college experience,’” she shared.
Her concerns reflect why connecting students to Catholic college ministry matters. A student's transition after high school can be a pivotal moment in their faith journey. Without relationships that encourage them to keep showing up, ask questions, and grow closer to Christ, it can be difficult to maintain the faith that has shaped their lives.
No student should have to navigate that transition alone.
Finding Her People at the Newman Center
For Courtney, the turning point came when she saw a flier for Aces Catholic at the University of Evansville.
She knew she wanted to check it out.
At her first meetup to walk to Sunday Mass, Courtney experienced the connection she had been hoping to find.
“The first time I met up to walk to Mass on Sunday, I felt an immediate connection and knew I was in the right place.”
That first step opened the door to a community that would become an essential part of her college experience. Through Wednesday night dinners, Courtney made friends who shared her faith and helped her grow closer to God.
The Newman community became more than a place to attend events. It became a place where she felt supported, encouraged, and connected to something bigger than herself.
“When I think about whether I am where God is calling me, I can only think about the Newman community, and I can’t imagine myself without them anywhere else.”
This is what a strong Catholic college community can offer. It gives students opportunities to build meaningful friendships, practice their faith alongside their peers, and find people who will walk with them through the highs and lows of young adulthood.
Sometimes, the most important part of finding a Catholic community is simply knowing someone will be there to walk with you to Mass.
More Than Friendship: A Community That Shows Up
As Courtney entered her sophomore year, college brought new pressures. Balancing academic responsibilities and other demands left her feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
During that difficult season, her campus minister, Lynn, made a point to reach out.
“But our Campus Minister Lynn made it a point to reach out to me and allow me to cry and pray with her.”
That moment of care reminded Courtney that her struggles did not define her and that God had a plan for her life beyond her academic performance.
“She has helped me grow closer to God and know that God has much bigger plans for me, and my grades don’t define me.”
Her experience also showed her that support can come from unexpected places. Fellow students from the Newman community noticed when she arrived late or had to leave events early, reaching out to make sure she remained connected.
Those seemingly small gestures matter. A personal invitation, a check-in, or a friend who notices when someone is missing can help a student feel seen and supported.
Faith grows through prayer, the sacraments, and a personal relationship with Jesus. It also grows through the people God places in our lives to encourage us, challenge us, and remind us that we are not alone.
Courtney's story shows what happens when a Catholic college ministry creates space for those relationships to flourish.
How Newman Connection Helps Students Find Their Catholic Community
Courtney found her home in faith through Aces Catholic at the University of Evansville. Her story also highlights a challenge that extends far beyond a single campus: how do we help young people find a Catholic community after they leave high school?
That is the mission of Newman Connection.
Newman Connection helps students connect with Catholic communities as they transition out of high school and into the next chapter of their lives. Through its Faith Forward movement, Newman Connection works with Catholic leaders, dioceses, parishes, and campus ministries to help students find places where they can continue growing in faith.
The goal is more than making students aware that a Catholic ministry exists on their college campus. It is helping them take that first step toward a community where they can build friendships, deepen their relationship with Christ, and find support when life gets difficult.
Courtney's experience demonstrates why that connection matters. A flier introduced her to Aces Catholic, but the relationships she built there helped her stay rooted in her faith. Her campus minister offered support when she felt overwhelmed, and her fellow students reminded her that she mattered to their community.
That is the heart of the Faith Forward movement: helping students find a Catholic community where they are known, supported, and encouraged to keep growing in their faith.
When students are connected to a faith community before they arrive on campus, they are more likely to find the people and resources that can support them during this important transition.
Every student deserves the chance to discover a community like the one Courtney found.
Why Faith Forward Matters for the Next Generation of Catholics
Courtney's story is a reminder that faith formation doesn't stop at graduation. The transition from high school to college is an important moment when young Catholics need opportunities to put down new roots in their faith.
A campus ministry can become the place where a student finds lifelong friends, receives encouragement during difficult seasons, and discovers how God is working in their life. It can be the difference between feeling alone in their faith and finding people who help them live it out.
Courtney put it simply:
“I truly believe it is easy to fall out of a relationship with Jesus when you don’t have anyone to hold you accountable! Praise God for the Newman Centers!”
Her words capture why connecting students to Catholic community is so important. Young Catholics need more than a reminder to keep the faith. They need relationships, encouragement, and a place where they can continue to encounter Christ.
Through Faith Forward, Newman Connection is working to make those connections possible for more students across the country. Each connection represents an opportunity for a young person to find a community that helps their faith take root and grow.
Courtney's story is one example of what can happen when a student finds that community at the right time. There are many more students beginning their college journeys who are hoping to find the same thing.
Help More Students Find a Catholic Community Like Courtney's
Courtney's story reminds us that a simple invitation can open the door to something life-changing. One flier led her to Aces Catholic. That first walk to Sunday Mass introduced her to friends who would encourage her faith. The support she found at the Newman Center continues to shape her relationship with God.
Through Newman Connection and the Faith Forward movement, we want more students to have the opportunity to experience that kind of community.
Together, we can help more young Catholics find a place where they are needed and known.
