The campus ministry team is changing its routine to welcome students from diverse faith backgrounds and respond to recent student requests. Class prayer services and  a new all-school Mass set-up are two of the most recent changes, and more will be implemented throughout the year, according to Director of High School Campus Ministry Stephanie Pino-Dressman.

Breaking from the tradition of underclassmen sitting on the bleachers and seniors sitting in chairs at the front, the second quarter all-school Mass moved the whole student body to chairs to make the setup feel more welcoming, according to senior campus minister Abby Hamilton. The chair setup will likely stay throughout the year.

“We didn’t want it to feel like a hierarchy with seniors at the top,” Hamilton said.

Seniors attended a class prayer service on Oct. 21, in order to welcome seniors of all faith traditions, and other classes have done the same throughout second quarter. Students shared hopes for the school year, complimented each other aloud and prayed for one of their classmates. According to Pino-Dressman, class prayer services will be in addition to the class Masses so classes will experience both during the semester. 

“Prayer services let more people participate because if people feel like they are not welcome, they are less likely to engage,” Hamilton said.

These changes fit directly into the school mission statement, specifically the aspect of respect for other faith traditions.

“Making sure everyone feels respected and included fits is an important way we are working within Sion’s mission,” Hamilton said. “We still respect others even though we’re a Catholic school specifically.”

Pino-Dressman said the main goal of campus ministry’s changes is to remain welcome to all faiths.

“We wanted to live out [Sion’s] charism by offering a prayer service where all faiths are welcome,” Pino-Dressman said.

Later in the year, students can most likely expect Music Mondays to return to the chapel, where students can worship through live music, and a prayer walk around the new field.

And, while campus ministry meets regularly and discusses changes, students can add their input by stopping by the meetings in the New Grande Salle or e-mailing Pino-Dressman.
“[Campus Ministry] is really excited about our potential to impact Sion this year,” Hamilton said.