This Saturday, Jesus’ work will be performed in polo shirts and khakis.
Croquet for Haiti, a Catholic Student Ministry philanthropy event now in its third year, is just one of the many initiatives sponsored by the organization in its effort to foster deeper relations with the local and international religious communities.
As members of the St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish, the Catholic Student Ministry is raising money for St. Thomas’ twin parish in Saltadère, a town in central Haiti.
When the events kicks off Saturday morning, teams of five — likely donning their spring finest — will compete against each other in rounds of England’s favorite gentlemen sport in hopes of surpassing last year’s fundraising total of $300.
“This is just one way we try to have a presence on Grounds and give back,” said event coordinator Doug Beach, a third-year Engineering student.
The 200 members of the Catholic Student Ministry pair their philanthropy efforts with Tuesday suppers, weekly talks, Thursday night Fireside Mass, intramural sports teams and spring break trips.
“U.Va. does an excellent job exposing [us] to a lot of different views, but at the same time, it’s nice to have access to an environment when everyone shares your beliefs,” Beach said.
The Catholic Student Ministry is one of many religious organization on Grounds.
“Faith can be confusing for people [from] all walks of life, and the ministry is a great place for all of them,” said fourth-year Engineering student Alyssa Chisholm, president of Blue Ridge Campus Ministry.
Chisholm said her organization, which doesn’t cater to any particular denomination but rather focuses on sharing and spreading the Christian faith more broadly, offers an important personal connection to her fellow students.
“Because my relationship with God is so important to me, it gives me a family away from my physical [one],” Chisholm, a Colorado native, said.
Shared belief systems, community service and social outings all help students in these ministries form meaningful friendships, Beach said.
“Some of my best friends are in CSM,” he said, “People come from all walks of life here at U.Va. — from grad students to Greek students to varsity athletes to engineers. [Our] friendships go a lot deeper because [we] share a religious bond.”
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