For many college students, campus is where faith is tested, questioned, rediscovered, or encountered for the very first time. At St. Mary University Parish, students at Central Michigan University are finding more than just a church near campus — they’re finding a home.

Located literally in the center of CMU’s campus, St. Mary University Parish has become a place where students can walk in carrying doubts, loneliness, curiosity, or pain and encounter an authentic Catholic community, the sacraments, and the love of Christ.

For Director of Development Andrea, that mission is deeply personal.

A Catholic Parish in the Middle of Campus

Founded in 1959 and formerly known as St. Mary’s College Chapel, the parish has long served students at Central Michigan University. Today, it stands as a university parish in the Diocese of Saginaw, uniquely positioned in the very heart of campus life.

“We really are in the heart of CMU’s campus,” Andrea shared. “Students walk by it constantly. Eventually, curiosity or a deeper desire leads them through the doors.”

That physical presence matters more than many people realize.

Andrea recalled the story of a student named James, who grew up Catholic but wasn’t sure how it would fit into his college life.

“He walked by our parish and thought, ‘I’m never going in there,’” Andrea said.

But during a difficult season in college, James found himself stopping by the chapel to pray the rosary between classes. Little by little, conversations with the priests and the welcoming community opened the door for him to return to the faith.

Today, James is not only fully involved in the parish — he is becoming a FOCUS missionary.

“It’s such a beautiful testament to why it matters that our parish exists here on campus,” Andrea said.

Building Catholic Community Through Invitation

At St. Mary University Parish, evangelization often begins with something simple: an invitation.

Whether it’s a roommate inviting a friend to Mass, a student encouraging someone to attend Bible study, or a missionary reaching out on campus, many students’ faith journeys begin because someone noticed them and welcomed them in.

Andrea shared that many OCIA candidates and returning Catholics had one thing in common: “Really, a lot of them had a personal invite somehow.”

One student came because his girlfriend invited him to Mass. Another international student from Spain found familiarity and comfort in the universality of the Catholic faith, eventually receiving the sacrament of Confirmation while studying at CMU.

Another student, who wasn’t initially searching for faith when coming to CMU, encountered a missionary, attended Mass, and now leads a Bible study on campus.

“She said, ‘I didn’t know if I was qualified,’” Andrea recalled. “But she realized it was an opportunity to learn alongside others.”

That culture of invitation continues through the parish’s many ministries and events, including:

• Bible studies tailored to different student groups
• FOCUS discipleship groups
• Weekly student adoration nights called “Unveiled”
• Sunday Suppers after Mass
• Retreats like the Father’s House Retreat
• Community events, tailgates, bonfires, and service opportunities

Together, the parish, FOCUS missionaries, and Central Catholic student organization work as one community centered around helping students encounter Christ.

Daily Mass, Confession, and Adoration for College Students

One of the most unique aspects of St. Mary University Parish is its commitment to sacramental life.

Thanks to three priests serving the parish, students have access to Mass every single day during the school year, along with frequent confession and adoration opportunities.

“We will find a time and a way for students to get involved,” Andrea said.

The parish offers:

• Daily Mass Monday through Friday
• Saturday morning Mass
• Two Sunday Masses
• Confession nearly every day
• Weekly adoration opportunities

Andrea has seen firsthand how access to the sacraments changes students’ lives.

“What an amazing opportunity it is for a student to exit their dorm, walk a few steps, and be face-to-face with the Lord.”

Even daily Mass attendance has steadily grown, with dozens of students regularly attending weekday liturgies.

Andrea’s Journey to Campus Ministry

Andrea’s path to ministry started long before she joined the parish staff.

Raised in a small, culturally Christian community in Michigan, she grew up attending Mass faithfully with her family, even while traveling.

“I definitely credit my parents,” she said. “Whenever we were traveling, we were always going to Mass.”

While attending Saginaw Valley State University, Andrea became deeply involved in campus ministry leadership, serving as secretary and later president of the university’s Catholic student organization.

Her college years became a time of learning the “why” behind the Catholic faith.

“When people would ask me what Catholics believed, I realized I should probably know why I believe what I believe,” she said.

At the same time, Andrea was developing professional skills in digital media and social media through university communications work — talents she now uses to serve the Church at St. Mary University Parish.

“The most beautiful thing to me is I can share my faith at work,” she said. “I really feel like the Lord laid the foundation and path for me to end up here.”

Today, Andrea helps tell the stories of students encountering Christ on campus while also helping raise support for the ministry that makes those encounters possible.

Seeing Students as Children of God First

For Andrea, the heart of campus ministry is not programs, numbers, or even strategy.

It’s seeing students as beloved sons and daughters of God.

“See people as the children the Lord created them to be first,” she said. “Not as projects.”

That mindset shapes the culture of St. Mary University Parish — a place where students can ask questions, wrestle with faith, return after years away, or encounter Catholicism for the first time without fear.

“No one’s too far gone,” Andrea said. “You will always have a home here at St. Mary’s.”

Why Catholic Campus Ministry Matters

College is one of the most pivotal seasons in a young person’s life. It’s also one of the easiest times for students to drift away from their faith.

That’s why Catholic campus ministries like St. Mary University Parish matter so deeply.

They create spaces where students can:

• Encounter the sacraments
• Build authentic friendships
• Ask difficult questions
• Grow in discipleship
• Rediscover the Catholic faith
• Find lasting community

At Newman Connection, we believe every student deserves to stay connected to their Catholic faith after high school graduation.

Through the Faith Forward movement, students are connected by name to Catholic campus ministries like St. Mary University Parish before they even arrive on campus — helping ensure they know they already have a Catholic home waiting for them.

Support More Students Finding a Catholic Home in College

Every student deserves a place where they can encounter Christ, ask questions, receive the sacraments, and know they are not alone.

At St. Mary University Parish, students are rediscovering their faith, returning to Mass, joining Bible studies, entering OCIA, and building an authentic Catholic community because someone invited them in and because a ministry was there to welcome them.

Through the Faith Forward movement, Newman Connection helps connect students to Catholic campus ministries like St. Mary’s before they even arrive on campus — ensuring they know they already have a Catholic home waiting for them.

Your generosity helps make those connections possible.

When you support Newman Connection, you help students across the country find communities where they can grow in faith, receive the sacraments, and encounter the love of Christ during one of the most important seasons of their lives.

Support the mission and help connect more students to campus ministries like St. Mary University Parish.