Graduating from high school and starting college is one of the biggest transitions in a young Catholic’s life.

For many Catholic high school seniors, the questions start long before move-in day. How will I stay connected to my faith? Where will I find a Catholic community in college? Will there be people there who know me?

This spring, more than 1,000 Catholic seniors gathered at St. Patrick's Cathedral for the Archdiocese of New York’s Senior High School Mass. As students prepared for graduation, we asked what they hoped to find in their next Catholic community.

Their answers point to something important: students are not just looking for a church to attend. They are looking for a sense of belonging, friendship, and a place where their faith can keep growing.

Why the summer before college matters for Catholic students

The summer between high school graduation and the start of college is often overlooked, but it is one of the most important seasons in a student’s faith journey.

Students are stepping away from familiar routines. They may be leaving behind youth groups, trusted mentors, lifelong friends, and the parish communities that helped shape them.

At the same time, many are preparing to move to a new city, a new campus, and an unfamiliar community.

That transition often raises real concerns for Catholic high school seniors:

• How do I find a Catholic community at my college?
• Will there be a Catholic campus ministry there?
• What if I feel alone when I arrive?
• How do I keep my faith from becoming an afterthought once classes begin?

These are not small questions. The relationships and habits formed during this transition often shape whether students stay connected to their faith in college.

What Catholic seniors told us they want in their next Catholic community

After speaking with students, several themes kept coming up.

A place where they feel known

Students do not want to get lost in a crowd. They want a Catholic community where people know their names, welcome them, and help them feel at home.

Real friendships rooted in faith

Many students said they hope to find friends who will pray with them, encourage them, and walk with them through college life. They want authentic relationships built around shared faith.

A Catholic community that feels like home

Graduation brings excitement, but it also brings uncertainty. Students want to know that when they arrive on campus, there will already be a place where they belong.

Opportunities to keep growing spiritually

They are looking for more than attending Mass on Sunday. They want opportunities for prayer, service, small groups, discipleship, and meaningful conversations that help faith become part of daily life.

Why Catholic campus ministry matters

For many students, a Catholic campus ministry or Newman Center becomes the place where faith becomes personal during college.

It can be where students meet lifelong friends, find mentors, grow in prayer, and learn how to live their faith in a new environment.

That first connection matters. When students know where to go before they arrive, they are more likely to step into the community early instead of trying to figure it out alone.

How Newman Connection helps students move Faith Forward

Newman Connection exists for this exact moment.

Through the Faith Forward movement, Newman Connection helps Catholic high school seniors connect with their next Catholic community before they leave for college.

Students can be introduced to the Catholic campus ministry, Newman Center, or Catholic community near the college they will attend. Instead of arriving on campus wondering where to start, they can begin college already connected.

That simple step can make a lasting difference.

Faith Forward helps students move into their next chapter already known, already welcomed, and already invited into community.

Help more Catholic students stay connected to their faith in college

The transition from high school to college is one of the most important moments in a young person’s faith journey.

A simple introduction can change what comes next.

A welcome message. A familiar name. A Catholic community waiting when a student arrives.

Those small moments often become the beginning of lifelong friendships, deeper discipleship, and a stronger relationship with Christ.

Your generosity helps Newman Connection reach more graduating seniors, connect them with Catholic campus ministries across the country, and make sure more students begin college with a faith community already waiting for them.

Support the mission of helping students move Faith Forward through Newman Connection.

Frequently asked questions

How can Catholic high school seniors stay connected to their faith in college?

One of the best ways is to connect with a Catholic campus ministry or Newman Center before arriving on campus. Having a community in place early makes it easier to build friendships, stay rooted in faith, and find support during the transition.

What is a Newman Center?

A Newman Center is a Catholic campus ministry that serves college students through Mass, prayer, discipleship, service, and community life.

What is Faith Forward?

Faith Forward is the national movement led by Newman Connection that helps high school seniors connect with their next Catholic community before they begin college.