CATHOLIC STUDENT ORGANIZATION

The Catholic Student Organization is home to about 30 members within the UNH

community who come for prayer, retreats, fundraisers, community service, music

ministries, and Jesus.

ABOUT US

Fellowship: We invite UNH students to grow in faith, courage, and service to others in accordance with Catholic teaching. Twitter: @unh_cso Phone: 603 868-2666, Ext. 113 Website: https://wildcatlink.unh.edu/organization/cso

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will

find; knock, and it will be opened to you. -Matthew 7:7

Catholic Student Organization Issue 1: April 2014

2

1

The Catholic Student Organization (CSO) recently participated in a Fall retreat at St. Methodios Retreat Center in Contoocook, New Hampshire. Each semester, CSO makes a weekend getaway to reconnect with their peers, deepen their relationship with God, and to have fun!

Many team-building exercises were offered, as well as spiritual talks led by members of the organization. The topics differed to allow students to have a choice in the talks they attended. Members of the organization are very involved in the planning process of each retreat. The itinerary is planned in a way that allows for plenty of free time. Participants have ample time to explore the nature trails, spend

2

time by themselves, and also to be with friends.

Retreats provide a unique experience for students to get away from the hustle and bustle of campus life. CSO purposefully chooses remote locations so that the experience can be fulfilling and calming. Unforgettable friendships are formed on these trips. Retreats emphasize the importance of a safe zone where participants may feel comfortable sharing information that will not leave the center. This creates an environment that allows

Liz Rogers: How CSO retreats form us

At the retreat, students gathered together for a

group photo for the final day, holding up the

banner they made during the last

While a weekend does not sound like much time, it can be just enough to help give you the extra push you need to get through a difficult semester. It also

provides the chance to make friends with people who you had never met or never had the chance to get to know. These events are some of the single most important things that we do as an organization, simply because of the bonds that are created. These friendships and connections help to sustain us in good times and bad, as well as giving us a place to turn and to call home. Saint Thomas More Church serves as a home away from home to many of us, and these opportunities help us to get to know the other members of this close-knit family.

The primary reason for evangelization is the love of Jesus. Pope Francis

Catholic Student Organization Issue 1: April 2014

3

1

You might be wondering what some of our students actually do within the Catholic Student Organization and within the campus ministry itself. Well, Lea Cunningham exemplifies what CSO students strive for.

The main thing I do is music ministry, so singing and playing music for the 5pm student masses, Cunningham said. I love bringing others closer to God through music, it's something I feel called to do.

While Cunningham sings at the student Mass on Sundays, she also volunteers at Edge, the middle school ministry.

I am passionate about working with middle schoolers, because they're at a very critical time of their lives and I want to help them to stay on a good path and make good decisions.

Cunningham has plans for next semester, as

Lea Cunningham, UNH sophomore, involved in many ways

2

well. Fellow student, Rebecca Austin, and Cunningham will take over for graduating senior Ryan Cornelissens faith formation series.

She does all these things because CSO, and spreading her faith, are important to Cunningham.

I have met some of my best friends through CSO and music ministry. It truly is such a welcoming community and new members are always welcome!

Even with a busy schedule, Cunningham makes time for the most important thing: prayer.

I try to pray often, but college life can be so busy! However, when I wake up, I think of an intention for the day and pray for that person or situation throughout the day.

The main thing I do is music ministry, so singing and playing music for the 5 p.m. student masses, Cunningham said. I love bringing others closer to God through music, it's something I feel called to do.

Catholic Student Organization Issue 1: April 2014

4

Donec interdum

Consectetuer:

From the Presidents desk: A year in review

The Catholic Student Organization (CSO) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) believes that faith is central to education and our lives as human beings. CSO seeks to empower each student with the resources and the support they need to deepen their faith, to challenge their convictions, to form community, and to share their time in service with others. Over the past year CSO has seen significant growth and has continued to provide opportunities for students to develop their faith life. With the support of the St. Thomas More community CSO has matured into an organization where there can be a balance of both spiritual and social activities. Each fall and each spring CSO offers a retreat where students have time away from campus to get to know God, their individual faith, and each other. The balance CSO has created during these retreats has helped us cultivate a yearlong philosophy of creating an environment where students from all walks of life can come, learn about Catholicism, and ask questions to each other within our accepting community. As a spiritual organization, CSO participates in religious opportunities at St Thomas More and in the surrounding Catholic community. CSO arranges a student Mass every Sunday night when UNH is in session. During Mass students lead the music ministry, lector, altar serve, and are Eucharistic Ministers. Every Sunday following the student Mass there is a free meal provided by parishioners. Even if students do not make it to Mass they are welcomed at dinner. Once a month CSO attends adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction in Portsmouth. For other spiritual activities CSO also prays the rosary, meditates and explores different types of prayer. CSO engages with the community. On Thursdays, members from CSO spend the afternoon passing out food at the St Thomas More Food Pantry. This opportunity for community service allows students to assist those in need while seeing a side of our community that is not often even considered. Once a month, members for CSO cook and serve dinner at the Crossroads House in Portsmouth. With the assistance of the St Thomas More community, UNH, and other supporting individuals CSO is able to provide many opportunities creating a strong relationship between the communities of CSO, Saint Thomas More Parish and The University of New Hampshire.

About Colleen OLeary, CSO president:

Colleen has been president for two academic years. Colleen is very involved in the UNH community, participating in different students organizations on campus. Colleen is a senior family studies major.

If you would like to offer monetary support for our campus ministry programs, please send your check to St. Thomas More Catholic Student Organization, P.O. Box 620, Durham, NH 03824 or use your

credit card to donate via our online website at: stmdurham.org/campusministry.