When she arrived on campus, the University of Cincinnati’s college life buzzed with a flurry of classes and events all around her, but there was also a restless stirring in her heart she couldn’t shake. By the end of freshman year, restlessness turned into a longing for something more – a sense of peace and purpose that she couldn’t find.

A native of California, Zeta Washington hadn’t grown up Christian, had never been baptized. Faith was never a central part of her life. “I tried to find fulfillment in other things,” she recalls, “sports, my social life, partying, and making as many friends as possible.”

She began attending a non-denominational church, where she encountered Christ in a personal and tangible way. “I learned that all He wants from us is a true relationship with Him,” she shares. “That was life changing.”

Still, something was missing.

Deeper questions emerged about trueness of faith, and what it really meant to follow Christ. These questions led her to Catholic Bearcat, the campus ministry serving students at UC.

“Catholic Bearcat exists to meet students where they are,” says John David Kimes, Campus Minister. “I am continually in awe of how the Lord is at work at the University of Cincinnati – through our priests, our St. Paul’s Outreach (SPO) and FOCUS missionaries, and most importantly, through our students.”

Zeta first encountered Catholic Bearcat through student Mass and the welcoming presence of students outside the church. “I sat in the back pew and just took it all in,” she admits.

Over time, she joined a small Bible study group through FOCUS. It was in the intimacy of this Catholic peer-led group that Zeta discovered answers in the Bible that pointed her to the Church.

John David explains, “Small group Bible studies provide an intimate and personal setting for students to grow in their faith and in relationship with one another. We consistently reinforce to our students that they are on mission – called to encounter others intentionally and invite them closer to the Lord.”

For Zeta, that invitation changed everything. “The teachings of the Catholic Church didn’t simply answer my questions,” she says. “They pointed me to Jesus in ways I had never experienced before.”

Though Mass initially felt unfamiliar – the standing, kneeling, and reverence for the Eucharist – Zeta felt a tug she couldn’t ignore. “Eventually, I stopped pushing off God’s calling, and I joined OCIA to start the process of becoming Catholic.”

Her journey into the Church coincided with personal loss: stepping away from collegiate volleyball, which had long defined her identity. “The most important thing in my life, He completely took away,” she reflects. “But at the same time, His love and mercy completely flooded my mind, heart, and soul.”

In April 2025, Zeta was baptized and received into the Catholic Church. “Despite the loss and emptiness I felt, I also never felt so whole,” she says. “Worldly things come and go, but the Lord will always be there, as long as you let Him in.”

Stories like Zeta’s are not uncommon at Catholic Bearcat. In 2025, as many as 280 students participated in small groups, more than 400 attended Sunday Mass, and 222 students went on retreats—with another 130 participating early this year. Twenty-five students are currently part of the OCIA process, and dozens more are actively discerning their faith.

The success of UC’s campus ministry program – as well as campus ministry at Miami University and Wright State University – relies not only on the dedication of staff and student leaders, but also on the financial support from the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA).

“CMA’s support helps cover essential needs, including operational costs of our Catholic Center, hosting evangelization and formation events, and supporting student participation in retreats and conferences,” John David explains. “Our financial need is real, and CMA’s support has been instrumental in making this ministry possible.”

For Zeta, Catholic Bearcat has provided more than spiritual formation, it has built lasting friendships and mentorship. “I have met some of the most important and influential people in my life,” she says. “The strong Catholic men and women I consistently surround myself with truly push me to become a better person. Fr. Tim (Fahey) and Fr. Jeff (Stephens) have also been incredibly helpful. They’re not just priests, but friends and spiritual guides.”

Zeta now helps lead Bible studies herself, walking with students who are asking the questions she once did. “If you feel that tug in your heart, don’t ignore God,” she says. “He’s waiting to welcome you – just like He welcomed me.”