Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:29

College students from throughout Kansas met in Wichita last weekend for the annual Kansas Catholic College Student Convention.
The various Newman Centers of Kansas take turns hosting the event. Father John Hay, pastor of the St. Paul Parish and Newman Center at Wichita State University said the gathering brings college students together for worship, speakers, fellowship and fun.
“Bishop Michael O. Jackels held the college students spellbound as he kicked off the conference with the keynote address Friday evening, sharing his own personal experience as well as insights into what having a deeper relationship with God can do in their life,” he said.
Many of the seminarians of the Diocese of Wichita attended because the convention coincided with an off-campus weekend at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Mo.
The convention was held at the recently renovated Drury Broadview Hotel in downtown Wichita with three of the four Kansas bishops attending.
Bishop Weisenburger, ordinary of the Diocese of Salina, addressed the 230 attending on Saturday. Bishop Jackels presided at the Eucharist on Sunday morning with Bishop John Brungardt of Dodge City and other priests concelebrating.
“It’s an inspiring event every year to see so many young people who want to know Jesus Christ, and who want to take their faith to the next level,” Fr. Hay said. “It’s important for the church to have a strong presence on college campuses and to be there for these young people during this formative time in their life.”
Fifty students from the St. Paul Newman Center at Wichita State attended. Fr. Adam Keiter of Pittsburg State brought 45 college students – the most per capita. All three of the of the college ministry programs in the Diocese of Wichita, Wichita State, Newman University and Pittsburg State brought many more students this year as compared to last year.
“College ministry is one of the most vital ministries in our church today, it’s all about our future. Every student who walks through the doors of a Newman Center want to know God, they want to be there, and we should be there for them,” Fr. Hay said.
The theme this year was “I am the Good Shepherd.”