Catholics on Campus at Defiance College finds ways to give back to the community

January 4, 2022

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Catholics on Campus is a DC group that accepts everyone as they are. This student-led organization provides opportunities for fellowship, service, and retreats. They allow students to participate in a group with a sense of belonging, community, and faith. Everyone is welcome to build spiritual connections, not just Catholic students. They help students learn more about Catholicism and spend time with other students who wish to deepen their faith.

The Catholics on Campus come together through many different events. The most frequent is a Bible study/fellowship every Wednesday. Students describe this as "faith sharing with assistance from scripture." They go to mass together once a month in the Defiance community and then go out to eat afterward. Catholics on Campus work to coordinate a Lenten service with St. Mary's Deacon and DC alum, George Newton. Every January, they also organize a bus trip for the "March for Life" in Washington D.C.

The Catholics on Campus organization tries to give back to the community as much as they can. They have teamed up with St. Mary's food pantry and last year they gave 60 families bags of food. Another major function is a Halloween party and meal at the Path Center here in Defiance. The Catholics on Campus receive funding from a grant from the diocese. Teagan Hunt, from Perrysburg, Ohio, is a freshman at DC and vice president of Catholics on Campus. She says, "We are planning lots of new and fun activities for the future, and I can't wait to see what's to come!"

Will Garlock, from Lima, Ohio, is a junior at DC and president of Catholics on Campus. Will adds, "The Catholic's on Campus group is my favorite thing here at DC, sure I love playing football and working with the basketball team, but the family that I am in with the Catholic's on Campus group is one of a kind. We all come from different places and different ways to practice our faith, and I love that." He says this group also holds him accountable. Experiencing college can be hard to practice one's ideals, but Will says this group is like a community of faith-oriented people who can talk about their faith openly.

This group is always making more traditions and creating new activities. Kris Knight, the group's staff advisor, says this group is very fluid. They meet students where they're at in their spiritual journey. With new students joining constantly, Kris works to keep Catholics on Campus fresh by talking with the members and creating new traditions and events.

They are always accepting new members! For more information, contact advisor Kris Knight at kknight@defiance.edu or president Will Garlock at wgarlock001@defiance.edu.

Chartered in 1850, Defiance College is an independent, liberal arts-based institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. The College is guided by the four pillars of its mission: To Know, To Understand, To Lead, and To Serve. The College website is www.defiance.edu.

Article by: Britta Baker, Marketing Coordinator