The University of the Philippines has somehow gained the reputation of being a godless university because of the very liberal atmosphere it fosters. University life usually goes on without much mention of God or religion and it is saddening to hear stories about people who cease to pray and come to mass simply because, here in UP, God and religion “are not part of the routine.” But for some of us, still, we acknowledge that life here in the University finds so much more meaning when we remain rooted in our Catholic faith, when we keep Jesus at the center of our lives. It is our Christian duty to share the joy of knowing Christ to others by preaching and by doing what we preach.

Our parish fulfills this mission through the Campus Ministry Office (CMO). The CMO sees to the spiritual needs of the University, coordinates liturgical activities in academic units, and advises the religious student organizations of UP. Through various activities spearheaded by the Campus Ministry Director, Fr. Mike Ty, the Ministry aims to promote and deepen the Christian faith among UP students, faculty, and staff. The Ministry also seeks to build active communities within UP that are founded on and guided by the teachings of the Church.

Recognizing the Ministry’s oneness with the Parish and the Diocese and while heeding the challenges of the current times, the CMO gathered members of the Catholic Students Community last December 9 and 10, 2009 to formulate a new plan that is consistent with the Pastoral Goals of the Parish and the Five-Point Priority Agenda of the Diocese of Cubao. The planning sessions outlined four new goals which are expected to guide all the endeavors of the Campus Ministry beginning June of this year. These goals are:

1.       Provide the UP community opportunities to enrich and to deepen their Christian faith through a grounded understanding of the sacraments, sacred scriptures and teachings of the Church, and through active participation in liturgical celebrations.

2.       Employ creative and resourceful means to strengthen and to sustain the zeal of the UP Catholic Students Community for evangelization.

3.       Promote stewardship and social awareness among the youth to enhance their capacity to become catalysts of social transformation.

4.      Exercise servant-leadership to establish a systematic network with other youth groups in the pursuit of fruitful collaboration.

The Ministry strives to keep the Catholic faith alive among the youth and to make it more useful, more practical, and more relevant to life here in UP. Be it through masses in the dorms or in the colleges, or through special retreats for students and teachers, or through forums on social issues and church teachings, or through simple get-togethers, the Campus Ministry Office will find ways to turn hearts back to God and to promote what it truly means to be a Filipino Catholic.

– By Kiboy Tabada