– by Rebekah Davidson

Ben Breuning was overwhelmed by feelings of insecurity and uncertainty. Not far into his first year at Miami University, he was indecisive about what major to pursue and struggled to make new friends in an unfamiliar environment, visiting bars to fill the gaps in his social life. He was tempted to give up and switch to the college that his friends and girlfriend attended. His life needed a drastic change.

Not long after this realization, he heard about Miami’s campus ministry at the Catholic Newman Center (Catholic Redhawk), which is supported in part by the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). Ben went to Mass, hoping to find a place of belonging. It was the first Mass he had attended in nearly a year.
Ben was raised Catholic and attended Catholic high school, but his faith life had been very lukewarm. He and his friends lived very secular lives. He had little interest or thought about what he believed, to the point of feeling uncomfortable even to talk about his faith.

At the end of mass, Father Jacob Willig announced a three-day men’s retreat endorsed by the Newman Center. Ben recalled attending a retreat during his early high school years and remembered how much he enjoyed it, so he figured this was worth a shot.

Upon arrival, Ben immediately felt welcomed as the men of the Newman Center greeted him with kindness. As they shared meals, the men wanted to know who Ben was and hear his contributions to their conversations. They genuinely cared about him and had his best interests at heart. They attended Mass each morning, prayed together, listened to talks, spent time in the forest nearby, and played sports. The uplifting atmosphere compelled Ben to become more invested in his faith journey.

After his retreat experience, Ben began attending Sunday Mass at the Newman Center and participated in the community meals and fellowship offered. He desired to know more about prayer, virtue, and how to integrate them into his life. He asked deeper questions such as, “Why Christianity?” and “Why do bad things happen to good people?” He joined a men’s group and discussed how to live a life of faith and hold each other accountable. His thirst for meaning and truth led him to attend a Bible study that walked through salvation history, which fostered his excitement for Sacred Scripture and the bigger questions of life. Before he knew it, events at the Newman Center filled much of his time. The joyful people there became his best friends. He eventually started attending daily Mass, either with friends or by himself. “For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by people who took their faith seriously,” reflects Ben. “Through my relationship with Father Willig and friends at the Newman Center, I found thoughtful answers and a renewed sense of faith.”

Ben’s mindset changed dramatically from when he first arrived at Miami University. Fear and loneliness were replaced with joy, peace, and a sense of security. He no longer wanted to switch schools. The influence of Father Jacob Willig and the Catholic student community inspired Ben to actively practice his faith and pursue a relationship with God. Ben is just one of many students whose lives have changed thanks to gifts like yours that support Campus Ministry through the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA).

The Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) is the annual campaign supporting six local ministry areas that teach, feed, and heal.
Through the CMA, all parishes of the Archdiocese join together as the Body of Christ to collaborate in the Corporal Works of Mercy.

YOUR financial gift to the CMA is what makes these life-changing moments possible. To Donate, Click HERE