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Catholic Life at Wesleyan

Catholics at Wesleyan are first of all a community gathered around Eucharist. From 2006-2008 there was no priest at Wesleyan. When the Wes search committee asked students if they would consider a lay chaplain, they said yes, but really, �we want the Mass.� So in August, 2008, the Catholic Chaplaincy, part of the Wesleyan Office for Spiritual and Religious Life, started up again with a Catholic priest, Fr. Hal Weidner, an Oratorian priest who has authorization to celebrate in the Eastern Catholic rite (the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in communion with the Pope) as well as the more familiar Roman Catholic Mass. This part of Connecticut has a number of Eastern rite Catholics so the additional �faculty� that Fr. Weidner has is very practical.

The Catholic Student Organization

Wesleyan has a large network of student organizations that are student run. Catholic life programs as well as programs offered to the larger community will often be funded through the Student Organization. Juniors in 2008 are heading up the leadership and work with the Chaplain on programs, activities, and possible housing ventures as a Catholic community.

Sunday Mass

Mass is usually celebrated at 9 PM!!! The place is usually the memorial chapel though for 2008-9 we will have to change a little as the chapel is now the largest and best auditorium on campus and the late start of programming means getting in a line to make space reservations after many have already done so. We hope next year that the reservations will be firmer and sooner.
After Mass, there are always snacks, drinks, and baggies to take supplies back to the dorms. Feeding the hungry starts at home in the Catholic Chaplaincy.
For the Sunday Mass, we have room for all kinds of ministries. Wes students are lectors, readers, Eucharistic ministers, and organizers.

Volunteers

Wes students volunteer throughout the community. There is a special university office just to coordinate and support that. You can contact Cathy Crimmins Lechowicz at 860-685-2841 for more information. Catholic students are typically part of these efforts. A faculty member, Octavio Flores, is very interested in introducing students to the local efforts of the St Vincent de Paul center and the food pantry.

The Catholic students are being asked to work with Bread for the World as well as with the Inter-Faith League that this year sponsored a Fast a Thon with town and gown help that supported St Vincent de Paul outreach.

A Program House?

The Catholic students at Wesleyan who want a program house to support each other as they live out their faith may approach the Wesleyan administration. Students, NOT the chaplain or any faculty member, MUST be the ones asking for the program house. Of course, faculty and chaplain are happy to assist, but the initiative must be pursued by the students. For good examples of what others have done see �.

Junior Year Abroad

Because of the international nature of the Catholic Church another program can also be organized for Catholic Wes students (and always, their friends) who are taking a semester abroad. One of the program goals for 2009 is to establish the foundations that would assist students who want to integrate the substance of their experience with a faith that embraces the history and cultures of a good part of the world.

The Catholic Chaplain

More information about any group or program can be obtained from the Catholic Chaplain, Fr. Hal Weidner, CO. You may contact him at: hweidner@wesleyan.edu, or at 860-685-2285. Or just stop by 169 High Street, University�s Chaplain�s Office, Second Floor, Room 210. [Warning�front door is sticky. Have faith and push.]

Fr. Hal is also available for individualized study and counseling.

The Email List

If you would like to be get info and updates on Catholic events on campus, or receive our weekly email contact Fr. Hal Weidner hweidner@wesleyan.edu or 860-685-2285.