November 7, 2024 by Joe Bedard
For members of the CSUSB Catholic Newman Club, faith isn’t just something they practice on Sundays—it’s an essential part of their college journey. Club President, Ashley Ibarra, feels that being the club’s President has helped her dive deep into her faith. She states, “More in the spiritual aspect, it has helped me be held more accountable to follow through with being a practicing Catholic. You can’t be a President and not at least try to be an example”. Faith serves as a foundation, helping students grow not only academically but also morally and spiritually. By grounding themselves in their beliefs, students can find the courage to face challenges with confidence and integrity. They develop a deeper understanding of who they are and, importantly, the person God is calling them to become.
Practicing faith in college has also been shown to reduce stress and encourage personal growth. “I think it has helped me socially, because I used to be very introverted and kept to myself, but with tabling and recruitment, I have had to step out of my shell by talking to more people”, Ashley explained.
Through prayer, community support, and the teachings of the Church, students learn to deal with stress in a healthy way, which allows them to approach their studies with a clearer mind and a sense of purpose. Advisor of the Catholic Newman Club, Agustin Ramirez, explains “This club is a place to congregate with others who are also searching. To be around people who have the same questions, goals, and aspirations as you is important for growth. Finding that community builds trust and love, that you can take with you through the everyday world”.
Faith can inspire students to be more compassionate, responsible, and self-disciplined—qualities that foster success both in and outside the classroom. “We hope to inspire everyone to live their lives with love, compassion, and mercy”, says Ramirez.
At CSUSB, the Catholic Club provides a space where students can hold each other accountable and grow together. By sharing their faith journey, they build lasting friendships and develop a support system that helps them through the ups and downs of college life. This sense of community brings not only relief but also a sense of direction. “It’s hard for me to make friends”, Ashley indicated, “ let alone friends who share the same beliefs, so being in this club has opened the door to making friends with those beliefs. It has helped me step into the right direction in making good friends”.
Through faith, they become more productive, resilient, and morally grounded individuals, Ashley concluded by saying, “regardless if you are Catholic or not, you still have morals, and I think how being Catholic has helped me in bettering my morals and keeping me disciplined”.
The Catholic Newman Club meets every week and has our Vocation Director, Father Hau Vu, come and celebrate mass twice a month to be better prepared to meet life’s challenges and make a meaningful difference in the world.
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