As a Catholic university, UD is incredibly blessed to have ready access to the sacraments on campus. From Mass, to Reconciliation, to Adoration, the Campus Ministry team, along with the staff at the Church of the Incarnation, help make Jesus present on our campus.
Campus Ministry at UD is still alive and well, despite all the recent changes the school has undergone. This year, our chaplain, Fr. Jeronimo Espinosa, has returned for his second year at UD. Campus Ministry has welcomed a new campus minister, Madison Brinkman, and a new business manager, Veronica Castro.
As well as changes to the Campus Ministry team, there have been many changes to the events that Campus Ministry hosts. Brinkman said, “While there are some cuts to things like Open A or the snacks in Campus Ministry, it has allowed us to make spiritual things like the Genesis Retreat and the 70th anniversary prayer nights more impactful.”
Brinkman, while new to the Campus Ministry team, is not new to UD. She has been a missionary for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) on UD’s campus. She said that working as a FOCUS missionary on campus “entailed leading bible studies and walking with students in discipleship. I get to continue walking with students in my role as campus minister as well through one on one accompaniment and through facilitating spiritual encounters like retreats and prayer nights.”
Brinkman is excited to be working in Campus Ministry. She said, “My favorite part of working in Campus Ministry is getting a front row seat to the work of the Holy Spirit! As a missionary, I loved watching students grow in their interior lives and devotion to the Lord. I get to do that same thing as a campus minister while also branching out to other students beyond the scope of bible study. I felt called to stay at UD in this role because God is doing something so special with the culture of this university. You can see first hand how there is a movement toward [an] honest encounter of the Gospel!”
As the only campus minister, Brinkman oversees ministries League of Her Own, Women of the Word (WOW), Leadership Formation and OCIA. “Regular events outside of the office include Women of the Word, which happens every Thursday 8-9p.m. in Anselm 230,” Brinkman said. “League of Her Own and Fight Club happen on a regular basis for those struggling with purity.”
To find the Campus Ministry team, you can visit their office on the second floor of SB. The Campus Ministry team is always happy to have students there to either visit, hang out or meet with them for their spiritual needs.
Brinkman said, “We tend to always be running around campus these days, which means that the actual office can be vacant sometimes. The best way to guarantee someone [to be in the office] is to email (mbrinkman@udallas.edu). We want to be there for y’all in any of your needs whether that is talking through prayer, formation or just hanging out and having fun!”
Students can get involved with Campus Ministry through a multitude of events! The 70th anniversary prayer nights include Mass, dinner and a talk followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. They are hosted once a month at the Church of the Incarnation. Campus Ministry is also hosting a three part Theology of the Body series this year.
In addition to these talks, Brinkman said, “We put on our Genesis and Winter Retreats at the beginning of the fall and spring semester, respectively. We are also leading a mission trip to Colombia during Spring Break this year!” The best way to learn more about Campus Ministry’s events is by following their Instagram (@udallascampusministry) and by keeping up with their emails.
Campus Ministry could use your support in two ways: serving in the liturgy and monetary support. The Church of the Incarnation is always looking for altar servers, eucharistic ministers, readers and sacristans! Brinkman said, “It’s not about how worthy we feel, it’s about how worthy Jesus is! He is inviting you to serve, so please answer courageously.”
Brinkman also encourages students to support Campus Ministry through donations. She said, “No part of your tuition pays for Campus Ministry. We rely solely on the generosity of the people to continue our ministry to the student body. Our ‘As in Heaven’ campaign is precisely for that purpose — we are trying to gather support in order to continue serving you so that UD might be ‘as it is in Heaven!’ A monthly commitment of just $10 helps more than you know! Please consider the generosity that God might be calling you to!”
Campus Ministry is always here for you! Brinkman said, “I know it can be scary sometimes to muster up the courage to send an email saying, ‘I want to meet you’ or ‘I’d like to be more involved in Campus Ministry’ but please do it! It’s not weird to us, I promise! We want to serve you and support you in your pursuit of holiness.”
Next time you’re in SB hall, pop into the Campus Ministry office to say hi! Chances are, you’ll make a friend or two who are also in pursuit of Christ.