By John Petty, Catholic Editor
As another graduating class has come and gone, so too Campus Ministry related positions have become vacant. New emerging servant leaders have stepped up to fill these positions, providing new faces for the Aquinas Saints on campus.
Flowers at the Mary statue – Photo by John Petty
Aquinas College’s Catholic identity is of profound importance. The liturgical, musical, community and service related endeavors that Campus Ministry is associated with necessitates dedicated minds and hearts capable of responding to the needs of the community. Following the graduation of last year, two new student positions have opened up–Liturgical Coordinator and Music Coordinator.
Sophomore Joel Warren was hired as the College’s new Liturgical Coordinator. Along with being the Co-leader of the Men’s Group, Warren is in charge of coordinating between the priest, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, thurifers and lectors. Furthermore, Warren is tasked with the important role of preparing the Sacristy and vessels of Communion for the Mass, a task essential for the commencement of the Liturgy.
Joel Warren – Photo by John Petty
Musical talent on its own is skill hard to encounter in others, but when it is in a Liturgical context, it ought to be considered sacred. Senior Bonfils Matenga was hired for this important role, leading the clergy and laity in songs of praise during Praise and Worship Adoration, as well as the Mass. Furthermore, Matenga is placed in charge of coordinating practice with the other singers, so that God may be rightfully and gloriously praised.
Furthermore, following Fr. Jordan DeGuire, O.P. ‘s assignment at the University of Notre Dame, Aquinas College is left with one less priest and one less member of the professional staff. Following DeGuire’s departure, Campus Ministry hired Joey Dearduff to serve as the Service Coordinator for the College. Dearduff’s role is primarily in relation to connecting students with service opportunities for personal growth and positive community relations, all in the spirit of Jesus Christ and His Gospel.
“I’ve been interested in working for Campus Ministry ever since I myself was a college student nearly a decade ago,” Dearduff said. “I had grown up in the church, but it wasn’t until my college years that I began to better understand–and therefore discover for myself–my faith in God and my place in this wide world God created. As my call to ministry took shape over my college and graduate school years, it became clear to me that I wanted to minister to students who would come after me and steward similar experiences of faith transformation.”
While these are paid positions, they are not mere “jobs” as they are calls to service. In order for there to be a Eucharist, there must first be the necessary matter for the Eucharist, in order for there to be the necessary matter, there must be one to provide it, hence, the necessity of a Liturgical Coordinator to ensure this happens. For there to be praise in the Liturgy by means of the heart and mouth, this is best ensured by the exemplification of God-given musical talent, which can only be provided by one who is both willing and able. This necessitates a Musical Coordinator. Finally, for the service of the Gospel to be preached unto all the nations, this necessitates someone to provide the means of service. This is the role of the Service Coordinator.
In short, Aquinas College is quite blessed to have such great men and women in the Campus Ministry Peer Ministry and professional staff willing to do not merely their job, but their Christian service.
“I hope that students at AQ can recognize, receive and respond to the opportunities for transformation during their time as Saints,” Dearduff said. “Faith transformation, certainly, but also academic, professional, relational and emotional transformation. The college experience is both a privilege and a gift, and I hope we as a community continue to recognize it as such.”
