From left, campus ministers Kate Tyler of Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Christine Wissink of Newman Catholic Student Center in Iowa City and Tammy Norcross-Reitzler of St. Ambrose University in Davenport attend the CALLED25 conference at Notre Dame University in Indiana last month.
By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger
Two campus ministers in the Diocese of Davenport attended the Catholic Campus Ministry Association’s CALLED25 conference at Notre Dame University in Indiana last month. The annual conference aims to foster collaboration and innovation in Catholic campus ministry across the U.S. through keynote presentations, workshops and networking opportunities, organizers said.
This year’s event focused on the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter on Campus Ministry, “Empowered by the Spirit.” Prior to the conference, campus ministers, theologians, chaplains and other leaders from across the country submitted reflections on the document’s themes. Organizers published the essays in a 192-page “White Pages” document.
“These papers provided reflection and application primarily on the six foundational aspects of campus ministry from the letter: forming the faith community, appropriating the faith, forming the Christian conscience, educating for justice, facilitating personal development, and developing leaders for the future,” said participant Christine Wissink, director of Outreach and Education for Newman Catholic Student Center in Iowa City.
Keynote talks and breakout sessions focused on the pastoral letter’s six themes. Wissink said she appreciated the opportunity to learn and to dive deeper into the topics with other participants. “I enjoyed hearing top-notch speakers and homilies for inspiration, reconnecting with my campus ministry peers around the country and celebrating our ministries together.”
The keynote address of Bishop Michael Martin, OFM of Charlotte, North Carolina was a highlight for Tammy Norcross-Reitzler, campus minister for St. Ambrose University in Davenport. “His words were both a challenge and an invitation: ‘Set up your sails and let the Holy Spirit blow where she will.’ He reminded us that college students today are yearning for meaning in their lives — and that we, as campus ministers, have the sacred opportunity to offer them the hope and truth of Jesus Christ. The bishop’s affirmation that relationship-building is at the heart of effective ministry deeply resonated with me.”
She also appreciated a breakout session on accompaniment and kinship. “It was a powerful reminder that our work is not just about programs or events, but about walking alongside students in authentic, compassionate relationship.”
Celebrating Mass with campus ministers from across the country in the “stunning” Basilica of the Sacred Heart was another high point for Norcross-Reitzler. “Worshiping in that sacred space reminded me of the beauty of and strength of our shared mission in campus ministry.”
Norcross-Reitzler attended the conference with Kate Tyler, interim director of Campus Ministry at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids. “It was especially meaningful to experience the conference together as our two institutions prepare to become one.”
Wissink said the conference “affirmed a lot of what we are already doing well at our Newman Center in Iowa City and strengthened my connections and convictions in Catholic college campus ministry to continue to grow.”
Norcross-Reitzler said the conference was a moment of renewal and inspiration. “I left CALLED25 feeling encouraged, grounded and ready to embrace the opportunities ahead with open hands and a hopeful heart.
