Finding Fellowship

Halfway through the summer before my freshman year, e-mails about potential activities for fall began trickling in, each one capturing my attention and interest. Four:7, Freshman Retreat, ISI, Catechist Program, FIDES, choir auditions- the list of things that I was invited to participate in went on and on. And the list of the things in which I wanted to participate was identical. And that was just Campus Ministry! I still wanted to do dance, quiz bowl, and other activities too!

As the start of the year approached I realized that as much I wanted to participate in spiritually nourishing activities every day of the week, I needed to narrow down my fellowship options. Even though I couldn’t participate in everything, I decided I might as well try everything.

So I started going to meetings for everything I could. I tried out for different choirs. I went to meetings for each fellowship group. I pretty much went “faith group shopping,” and here are some of my tips for finding your place.

1.     Find Your Comfort Zone- Some groups like ISI and Four:7 have praise and worship, which might be a really invigorating faith experience and really uncomfortable for others. Give it a try and decide for yourself. In FIDES, you are asked to share personally with a small group. Some people love getting close to their group, whereas other people might prefer to be part of a crowd in the larger group meetings of ISI and Four:7. Going outside your comfort zone and trying new things is always great, but it’s also nice to feel safe especially in sharing something as personal as your faith. Visiting each group will help you figure out where you are more comfortable.

2.    Decide What Experiences Are Important to You- Each group has different events that make them unique. Four:7 has group adoration and a group bible study. ISI has special groups for men, women, and freshman, as well as extra worship time and a prayer team. Both groups also have retreats. FIDES provides a program specifically for freshman to introduce them to the different opportunities for faith development at Notre Dame. Members receive lectures from great speakers from across the country and a chance to experience your faith in different ways.

3.    Know that you can jump in at any time- If you didn’t go to the first meeting, that doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of the group! All groups are welcoming to anyone who wants to join, whenever they want to! Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to share your faith just because you haven’t gone yet. Just take the risk and go!

4.    Don’t be afraid to go it alone- There is a huge fear of showing up places without a posse of friends. Forget that! If you want to try a faith sharing group- go for it! Each group is incredibly welcoming and will make you feel at home. It’s also a great chance to put your trust in God and invite the opportunity to meet new people!

5.    Make it Up- If you find that out of all these fellowship groups on campus nothing is fitting your style you don’t have to give up. There are lots of ways people share their faith on campus outside of formal groups. Whether you go to Lucernarium at Moreau Seminary or the student run rosary at the Grotto, if you attend Mass in your residence hall or find a new friend on a retreat or pilgrimage, or - your faith sharing experience isn’t limited to just faith sharing groups. It’s most important that you connect with a group of people that help you grow deeper in your relationship with God, while also reveling in wonder and adoration for Christ.

Figuring out how to live your faith life at Notre Dame is a difficult task, purely because there are so many options and not enough time. It’s fortunate to go to a school where there are so many choices for people to find their fit. Developing a relationship with God and other Christians is one of the richest experiences you can have in college, so definitely don’t pass up this opportunity!

Four:7 Catholic Fellowship meets Tuesdays nights at 8:15. Iron Sharpens Iron (ISI) Interdenominational Fellowship meets Thursday nights at 10. FIDES small groups begin meeting next week, so contact Bree Haler (bhaler@nd.edu) for more information or to join. Other opportunities for faith formation include: Lucernarium at Moreau Seminary on Thursday nights. Student led rosary takes place at the Grotto every night at 11. Visit the Notre Dame Campus Ministry website for upcoming retreats such as Freshman Retreat, Silent Retreat, and Preached Retreat.