The Student Faith Olympics were held April 30, hosted by the University of California, Riverside’s Catholic Student Fellowship. Representatives from four schools were present at the games, including UC Riverside, California Polytechnic University at Pomona, California State University, Fullerton and California State University, Long Beach.
The Newman clubs are Catholic centers and organizations rooted in secular universities worldwide, and named after 19th century academic Cardinal John Henry Newman.
The annual collaborative event began with morning Mass at St. Andrew Newman Center in Riverside. Father Garry Cappleman was the celebrant, with worship led by the student-run music ministry.
“It’s our first time hosting the Faith Olympics, and we’ve had an awesome turnout,” shared UC Riverside Catholic Club President Eddie Coronado, a third-year political science major, who helped plan the event. “People are excited and energetic, from putting the whole thing together to participating in the games. It took a lot of prayer, planning, and reaching out to other Catholic clubs.”
Catholic-themed, Olympic-style games were held at Hunter Park following Mass.
“I look forward to the Faith Olympics every year, getting to meet the different officers and students from each school, learning and getting ideas from each other. You really branch outside of yourself,” shared Cal State Long Beach Newman Club Vice President Elizabeth Chelling, a third year English education major. “Yeah, at the end of the day, we’re competing against each other, but it’s a spirit of fun and we all get really into it. It’s such a special connection.”
The clubs joined up to play in two teams, creating a spirit of Catholic camaraderie. After a few intense rounds of dodgeball, boys versus girls, the students gathered for pizza lunch and “All Things Catholic” Pictionary, followed by the traditional Sacraments-themed relay race.
Host school UC Riverside took home the winning trophy. The club also held its twice-a-year retreat this past weekend at the Sacred Heart Retreat Camp in Big Bear, themed “Alive Again.”
“If I wasn’t involved with Catholic Student Fellowship, I don’t know how I would get through college,” said Coronado. “It’s vital to have this kind of community, especially if you want to have a really good college experience, as a student practicing values.”
Coronado revealed that the UC Riverside Newman Club’s theme for the quarter is “Resurrection.”
“Christ is constantly resurrecting us in our daily lives, especially as students. We go through a lot of turmoil, but we find hope in the Resurrection.”
Coronado shared about the amazing support from local Riverside church community at St. Andrew’s, where meetings and events are held at the parish Newman Center, open to students and young adults. “They support us, sponsor us, help us out financially and spiritually,” he said. “We’re very lucky to have this awesome community.”
Students shared their heartfelt memories and experiences with the Catholic organizations on campus, many of which hold weekly events such as meetings, Masses, service projects, Rosaries and Adoration.
“In a time where people are going out on their own and becoming young adults, they need a place where they can go and develop their faith as Catholics, as the person they are meant to be,” noted UCR alumni Eduardo Argumedo, an applied mathematics and physics graduate. “[Newman Club] helped me when I was struggling with depression as a first year transfer student. Now, I want to give back to others who need a support system to guide them, to meet people in the faith.”
Agreed Annamaria Ortiz, a third year molecular and developmental biology major at UCR, “Once you leave your parents, it’s harder to find the time to go to church. But when you have a group of people who hold you accountable, you’re more motivated to stay involved.”
“It’s a great way for college students to keep their faith alive,” said Long Beach freshman psychology major David Nguyen.
“Sometimes this group is the only experience that you get to talk about God, and to experience Christ in Adoration together,” added Chelling. “Especially connecting with the other clubs, you see that there are other young adults who are your age and Catholic, and it creates fellowship and community. You realize that this is bigger, beyond your school—you feel like you are really part of a movement.”
Allyson Escobar is a blogger, freelance writer and a parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle in Chino Hills.