Back to the April 2006 Newsletter Index

FR. BYRNE HELPS CATHOLIC TERPS KEEP THE FAITH

When Fr. Bill Byrne came to work as Catholic chaplain at the University of Maryland at College Park, “It was definitely a challenge,” he admits.

Since his ordination in 1994, he had been an assistant pastor at Little Flower Church in Bethesda and the Shrine of St. Jude in Rockville.

At College Park, he says, “It was my first time running the show; I not only had to figure out what were the needs of the students, but how a furnace works.”

He adds bluntly, however, “I think it’s easier to work at a secular university than a – quote – ‘Catholic’ school, because I don’t have anyone on campus teaching bad theology.”

In his six years at UM’s Catholic Student Center, the 41-year-old priest has eschewed the Catholic-lite version of the Faith in favor of the Gospel taken straight.

Like his hero, John Paul II, Byrne believes that in dealing with young people, “You have to love them enough to tell them the truth.  It’s usually challenging, but they prefer it that way.”

It seems to be working.

When Father became chaplain, attendance at Sunday masses on campus was about 400; now it averages 1,000.  The number of daily communicants at the weekday noon and 5:30 p.m. masses is up from about a dozen to 150.  Thirty-six Terps are attending R.C.I.A. classes at the center.

“My motto is to create a very Catholic environment where the kids can be with each other, make Catholic friends, and find support for their faith,” he confides.

In line with this goal, an amazing number of activities – social, religious and charitable – proliferate from the Catholic Student Center.

There are volleyball parties, and a weekly social dinner.  One hundred and eighty “Catholic Terps” (as they call themselves) showed up for the center’s Mardi Gras dinner February 28.

The center’s own Knights of Columbus council, the Sedes Sapientiae Council, and its Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Maria Goretti are both very active, helping at food banks and raising money for the developmentally disabled, says Father.

The CDA court conducted a retreat for high school girls on March 11, focusing on chastity and the imitation of Mary.

The center’s Elderly Committee visits the Spellman House, a senior facility in College Park, every month, where they host a party with food and games for the residents.

Students from the center’s pro-life group sponsor pro-life speakers and conduct demonstrations on campus, volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center off-campus, and hold weekly Eucharistic Adorations for  pro-life intentions.

Father Byrne encourages frequent confession, dispensing a “confession cheat sheet,” a step-by-step guide for students who haven’t been to confession in years.

The center’s Vianney Society, a men’s vocation discernment group, holds a dinner each month, at which speakers discuss the vocation of the priesthood.

“We have five guys in the seminary right now from the last couple years,” says Byrne.  “Next year we’ll have eight.”

The center has a corresponding women’s group, called Fiat.

“The theory behind all these activities is to get the students closer to the Eucharist, the sacraments and the Church,” says Father.

Byrne believes that the best place to get the students closer to the Lord is at one of the center’s three yearly retreats, held at Blue Ridge Summit, Pa., a retreat center owned by the Jesuits.  About 75 Terps attend each retreat.

But, Father adds, closeness to Christ comes ultimately through Eucharistic Adoration, which the center has three days a week, for five hours each day.  Several students sign up for each half-hour.

The center was scheduled to host its Second Annual Collegiate Eucharistic Congress on April 1, attended by chaplains and students from Maryland, George Washington, American, Howard and Gallaudet universities.

This year’s theme was Pope Benedict’s new encyclical, Deus Caritas Est.

“It will be a day of Adoration, speakers, prayer and a cookout,” says Father.  “It’s all about getting the students closer to the Eucharist and letting them know they’re not alone in their walk of faith.”

Faith does not have to be boring, Father Byrne maintains:  “God is too magnificent to be dull.  The Kingdom of God is wonderful – to draw young people into the mystery is really the goal.”