Welcome to Catholic Campus Ministry

St. Mary's Church
17 Lawrence Avenue
Potsdam, New York 13676
Campus Ministry Office 265-9520
Parish Office 265-9680
campusministry@potsdamcatholic.org

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Mission Statement

The mission of Catholic Campus Ministry is to build a Christ-centered community among the students of Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam, through worship, service, social activities and zeal for the Gospel.

Catholic Campus Ministry - In 1985, the American Bishops wrote a pastoral letter, Empowered by the Spirit: Campus Ministry Faces the Future, which is the blueprint for our ministry. In Empowered by the Spirit, the U.S. Catholic Bishops state that Campus Ministry is one of the important ways the Church exercises her mission in higher education. According to the bishops, Campus Ministry is defined as the "...public presence and service through which properly prepared baptized persons are empowered by the Spirit to use their talents and gifts on behalf of the Church in order to be sign and instrument of the kingdom in the academic world.

The Newman Club - Nationally, the Newman Club began as an organization in the year 1893, on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. It was founded by three Catholic medical students for the purpose of creating an atmosphere of religious, intellectual and social growth and support. The name "Newman" was chosen in honor of John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890), whose deep faith and intellectual brilliance was, and continues to be, an inspiration to Catholics throughout the world. The Newman Movement has since spread throughout the world. Locally, the first Catholic organization was established in the late 1890s at the Potsdam Normal School, the forerunner of SUNY Potsdam, and at Clarkson College in 1935. Today, The Newman Club, functioning as an integral part of Catholic Campus Ministry, continues to serve the campuses of Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam.

Events and Activities of Catholic Campus Ministry
Spiritual ~ Service ~ Social

Alternative Spring Break (ASB)

The Service Experience - The ASB is based on three principles: service, spirituality and community. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "The duty of making oneself a neighbor to others and actively serving them becomes even more urgent when it involves the disadvantaged, in whatever area this may be. 'As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.' [Mt 25:40.]"

During Spring Break, we are planning a week long service opportunity at St. Vincent de Paul Center, Philadelphia, PA. We will participate in H.E.A.R.T.S. (Helping Everyone Attain Respect Through Service). Our service opportunities include working with the poor in a variety of settings: schools, health programs, building projects, visiting the elderly and the homeless.

Liturgical Opportunities

Parish Ministry Opportunities

Retreats

Retreats are an opportunity for students to step back from their busy schedules and create space for God. A variety of retreat formats are offered. We have a retreat to fit your needs.

September - Fall Intercollegiate Retreat at Guggenheim
November - Retreat Experience
March - Retreat Experience
April - Senior Retreat

Newman Club Dinner Meetings are scheduled throughout the semester. Each gathering includes dinner, prayer and an activity. See the calendar for the details of our next Newman Club Dinner Meeting.

Office Hours

Fr. Giroux, Angela Kane, or Jessica Anderson is available each Tuesday 11:00am - 2:00pm, at Clarkson Cheel Center, room 215 and each Thursday, 11:00am-2:00pm, at SUNY Student Union, room 203, or by appointment.

Sacramental Preparation

Confirmation - The Confirmation Program provides an opportunity for Catholic students to prepare for and celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) - RCIA is a process for students who desire baptism or full communion in the Catholic Church

Marriage Preparation - The Marriage Preparation ministry addresses the needs of engaged couples planning to be married in the Catholic Church