SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY
Campus Ministry
OVERVIEW
Seeking Christ Together
A Catholic university is set apart from other universities by its commitment to seek the truth about God, to cultivate a morally virtuous campus culture, and to provide for the spiritual needs and growth of its students. SFU’s Campus Ministry is staffed by Franciscan priests and FOCUS missionaries who are dedicated to the evangelical mission of the Church–to help believers to grow in faith, hope, and charity, and to invite every student into a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Liturgical Schedule
SFU holds the celebration of the Eucharist and the Sacramental life of the Church as the animating principle of all that it does. Consequently, our priests offer the Sacrifice of the Mass daily and Confession and Eucharistic Adoration numerous times per week.
Fall and spring semesters:
Mass:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 12pm
- Tuesday and Thursday, 12:15pm
- Sunday 10am, 8pm
Confession:
- Tuesday 8:30pm (during Praise and Worship)
- Thursday and Friday 11-11:45am
- Sunday 7-7:45pm
- Confession is also available anytime by appointment.
Eucharistic Adoration:
At the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, students sign up to be a committed adorer of Christ in the Eucharist in the St. Carlo Acutis Chapel.
Adoration is subsequently scheduled and publicized for that semester.
A Holy Hour is also offered, along with Confession and praise and worship music, every Tuesday at 8:30pm in the Immaculate Conception Chapel.
For the Mass and Confession schedule during summer and winter breaks, see the Campus Ministry Facebook and Live Schedule of events.
SFU students are also able to enjoy the numerous Catholic parishes near campus–a Carmelite Monastery (Mass everyday at 7:45am) and the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel are within walking distance, while several Byzantine Catholic Churches and a Sunday Traditional Latin Mass are a short drive away.
Students who are interested in volunteering as an altar server or cantor/choir member can fill out this questionnaire and a Campus Ministry staff member will reach out to them.
Campus Chapels and Shrines
The Immaculate Conception Chapel
Our beautiful, recently renovated chapel is the heart of campus–it hosts daily Mass, frequent Confession and 24/7 access to pray before the Most Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.
St. Carlo Acutis Chapel
A small, newly renovated chapel located between the Immaculate Conception Chapel and St. Francis Hall, features regular Eucharistic Adoration and 24/7 access to prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.
Our Lady of Lourdes grotto
A replica of the location where the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France in 1858. The silence, solitude and natural beauty surrounding the grotto conduce to private prayer and reflection. Mass and Eucharistic adoration are also occasionally celebrated at the grotto.
The Schwab Gardens and Mount Assisi
The Schwab gardens are located at the base of Mount Assisi–the residence of the Franciscan T.O.R. Province of the Sacred Heart–and feature a peaceful walking path decorated by lush vegetation, stations of the cross, statues of the saints and small shrines to Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Loretto.
Formation, Fellowship and Service
Campus Ministry hosts numerous, regular Bible studies as well as Catechesis (formal instruction in the Catholic faith) for students who are interested in learning more about Catholicism, becoming Catholic or completing their reception of the Sacraments of Initiation. We offer frequent recreational and social events which foster virtuous joy and friendships. And we organize mission trips (e.g. to Brazil) and community service (e.g. The Pennsylvania March for Life) opportunities which enable students to serve the suffering and vulnerable. Finally, our Alta Via program provides ten students per class with academic formation in theology, personalized spiritual accompaniment, an intentional Catholic community and a pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome.
See our live schedule of Campus Ministry Events.
Campus Ministry Staff
Questions? Contact a member of our Campus Ministry staff!
Director of Campus Ministry:
Fr. Stephen Mary Waruszewski, T.O.R., swaruszewski@francis.edu
Assistant Campus Ministers:
Fr. Will Shee, T.O.R., was101@francis.edu
Fr. Jason Wooleyhan, T.O.R., jwooleyhan@francis.edu
Fr. Chris Dobson, T.O.R., cdobson@francis.edu
Administrative Assistant:
Mrs. Denise M. Farabaugh, dfarabaugh@francis.edu
