Courtney McGrailDear Editor, Regarding chaplaincy support services (IC 14/04/2016 ‘Mass attendance a crude measure of chaplaincy support services’), Texas A&M State University (Aggieland) is of interest.
In 2011 Aggieland had 52,775 students. St Mary’s Catholic Centre housed the Catholic campus ministry. Daily Mass attendance averaged 175; Sunday Masses drew between 4,000 and 5,000 worshippers. There were 10 weekly time-slots for Confessions, which were also heard all day long on Mondays. Eucharistic adoration, rosary groups, the Liturgy of the Hours and First Friday devotion were staples of devotional life.
Some 1,250 students made or staffed a retreat sponsored by St Mary’s. In 2009-2010, 200 students participated in bi-weekly spiritual direction programmes; another 70 joined Ignatian discernment exercises. Interdenominational groups participated in introductory explorations of the Theology of the Body. All programmes were unapologetically orthodox.
Aggie Catholics participated in domestic and international missions, including ministry to prisoners, helping mothers and families in difficulty, pro-life activities, (sourcing and staffing the 40 Days for Life programme).
132 Aggies were ordained priests or made final religious vows in the previous two decades. 175 new Catholics entered the Church the previous two years.
Staffing consisted of two full-time priests, three part-time and semi-retired deacons, one part-time priest, three full-time lay ministers, three part-time ministers, three nuns and four part-time student interns. Direct comparisons with Ireland are unfair and inappropriate, but can something be learned?
Yours etc.,
Neil Bray,
Cappamore, Co. Limerick.