David Stein
14 July 2019
Community Profile
Cream walls, immense stain glass windows, and the smell of incense burning. This was my first experience entering this new Church. Oak pews cover the floor of the Church surrounding the altar. These pews are set up in three different sections; left, right, and in front of the altar. Each section has lights hanging which resemble lanterns. All of these feelings and sights brought a wave of tranquility over me as I entered. Glancing around again, my eyes peered up to the grandiose ceilings and followed it until they reached the front of the Church where a beautiful crucifix of Jesus was situated. Briefly after this view, I was greeted cordially by an usher who welcomed me to the parish. As soon as mass was underway I knew that the Catholic Student Union at the Co Cathedral of St. Thomas More Parish was the community that I would be joining for the next four years of my life as a Nole.
Noticing the people around me during mass was inevitable. I was looking curiously guessing who was a student at Florida State University. Then I noticed a group of people who looked to be around my age. I realized that they must have been the Catholic Student Union (CSU) who I had previously met at orientation. As mass came to an end I went over and introduced myself to them. They immediately welcomed me as if I had always apart of the parish. In meeting these people I exchanged my email with Michael Lopez, an active member of the CSU. He was extremely friendly and discussed the many events and opportunities that this community presents. He asked why I was interested in joining and I explained to him my religious background and how I wanted to keep the faith between Christ and myself secure. I also mentioned that staying in contact with the Catholic Church was an important factor in college because I have plans to continue my faith in the future. He was thrilled to hear this and explained that this was the perfect place to fulfill this. Even with the many distractions that college can present I want this community to be a place where I feel grounded and connected to something larger than myself. A group of people, such as the CSU, who share common core values will be a splendid group to achieve these hopes.
Since this first meeting I have returned to this Church every weekend to grow in this community. This parish has mass at four different times on Sunday, I generally attend the 11:45 am, however I plan to attend the other three at different times throughout the year as well.
The CSU also has many activities and meetings at various times during the week. Landis Green one of the popular locations for this group; tossing around the frisbey or football are choice games. Holidays are also a great time to enjoy what this community has to offer. For example on this past Fourth of July the CSU met at St. Thomas More and carpooled to the springs together. At the springs they celebrated with barbeque and other food. Even though these events are exciting they are not the reason for my joining.
Since I can remember the Catholic Church has been a huge part of my life. Attending a catholic elementary school from kindergarten to grade eight and then again for highschool, I was brought up in the faith. I would attend weekly mass and try and go to confession as much as possible. However, with high school coming to an end and the imminent stress of college, I began to take time away from the Church. This is my reason for joining. I want to make certain that I do not let the distractions and school work lead me astray from Christ. With the CSU as a strong community I can not only be sure that this will not transpire but I will undergo many great adventures along the way. CSU will keep me grounded in my faith.
Leaving my parish at home meant deciding what to do with my faith. Luckily for me, I was able to find a terrific place to strengthen my faith whilst getting to know people in the community. The concern about my faith will be suppressed as I continue to meet new people in the faith and keep Christ as a main focus. The Catholic Student Union is truly a blessing and will show me how one can attend college while still remaining Catholic.
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