UT-Chattanooga students an active part of Church youth movement
By Maggie Parsons
In the Diocese of Knoxville, Chattanooga is seeing many hearts say yes to God in both parishes and schools.
Father David Carter, rector of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, is experiencing the great growth in the Church at his own parish.
Father Carter, who grew up in the diocese, has seen this increase in recent years and looks at what the future of the Church may hold amid this growth.
“This new wave that’s coming in is bringing a lot of youth and vitality to the Church, which is exciting and hopeful,” Father Carter said.
A hopeful future for the Church in a culture that continuously gets trapped by sin is what the Catholic Center at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is aiming for. Students at UT-C are finding that hope within their own community.
During the past school year, 10 UT-C students entered the Catholic Church and were sponsored by FOCUS missionaries and UT-C Catholic Center students.
Bella Grace Roberts, a UT-C freshman, entered the Church at the beginning of December. She was drawn to the faith by having conversations with peers at the Catholic Center.
“Talking with people about faith and meeting people in the faith have helped me become more out of my box,” Ms. Roberts said.
In a college culture full of temptations that pull people toward sin, a community of faith that strives to grow closer to Christ is what students are searching for.
“Something fruitful that has come from it is just being friends with more virtuous people who aren’t going to feed into those sinful desires,” Ms. Roberts said.
Harrison Bean, who is another UT-C student, began learning about Catholicism but knew little about the faith.
However, he has journeyed toward communion with the Church by being transformed through the sacraments. Along the way, he found the Catholic Student Center, where he attended his first Mass.
To his surprise, the day he attended Bishop Mark Beckman was celebrating Mass, where Mr. Bean would learn God’s promises to His people through Bishop Beckman’s words.
“He talked about the beatitudes: blessed are those poor in spirit, blessed are those who crave righteousness, and that was me,” Mr. Bean said.
The beginning of a faith journey can feel like a fresh start when those on the path find what they are searching for.
The large increase of souls entering the Church brings excitement to the diocese nearly 40 years after it was founded.
“There’s this new excitement, a second wind; the Holy Spirit is still alive, and it’s still at work; it’s still moving among the people of God who bring people to the bride of Christ and sacramental union with God,” said Father Carter, who expressed joy in the power of the Holy Spirit.
He described how throughout the timeline of the diocese, this increase in members is proof of the Spirit active with His people.
The journey of faith hopefully will lead those graduating from their OCIA classes to the world of mission for the Lord. The university students have been diving deeper into their faith, continuing to say yes to God and as a result continuing to grow with God’s people.
Less than three months after Mr. Bean attended his first Mass, he traveled with other Catholic Center students to the annual SEEK conference in Columbus, Ohio, in January, where more than 16,000 fellow Catholics were in attendance.
He expressed how seeing thousands of young Catholics striving toward something greater than themselves was an extraordinary way to witness the great faith young people have for the Lord.
A few short months after being confirmed in the Catholic faith, Ms. Roberts went on a mission to Belize. While there she was able to take the same faith that led her to be confirmed in the Church and introduce it to others so they could learn just as she did.
“I didn’t really think about it before I signed up. I felt ready with my faith and confident in the teachings I learned,” Ms. Roberts remarked.
It can be difficult to trust that the Lord will provide as He guides His people, especially in today’s world. Those like Ms. Roberts illustrate how someone can take that initiative from the Church’s teachings to help others witness the life of a disciple.
Sin is a continuous obstacle in the life of any person of faith, and being a Catholic university student on a secular campus is its own challenge. Those who have embraced the sacramental life with the Lord are tested by the world to stay faithful.
“Not living a double life, don’t claim you’re a Catholic or a person of faith at all, and live another life on the side,” Mr. Bean said.
Living as a practicing Catholic on a college campus and surrendering to live a life in the Lord can be a great challenge in a culture full of temptation.
A community rooted in faith is a way to grow and lean on brothers and sisters in Christ to grow more like the Lord’s disciples, just as He commands.
“I felt welcomed by having a community of people who were accepting the things I didn’t quite understand through their patience and grace,” Mr. Bean said.
Walking with those who are on their own journey with Christ is the true way each person is called to live their faith.
Through the compassion the Lord provides, His people—younger and older—are called to spread His word to make disciples throughout the world.