St. Benedict Church and Campus Ministry - Grambling State University
Students from Grambling State University returned for fall semester the last week of August. There was a welcome back luncheon for students and parishioners held on Sunday, August 24, following Mass. The luncheon is a monthly tradition with the parishioners of St. Benedict and the Catholic Student Organization (CSO) students. No pictures were taken at this event – one of the students wrote, “Everyone was so excited to be back that we forgot to take some pictures!”
Fr. Pat Madden officially welcomed the students back to campus during the Mass on August 31. Fr. Pat has been a priest in the Diocese of Shreveport for over 50 years and although he is retired, he says Mass weekly at St. Benedict. He enjoys interacting with the Grambling students. Students from CSO participate in the Mass each week as musicians, choir members, eucharist ministers, and altar servers.
The first bible study session for the fall semester kicked off on Monday, September 1. With the start of school, students have been meeting during the week at the Catholic Student Center for bible study, study sessions, game night, and to share meals. The students enjoy having the Catholic Student Center so close on campus. It is a place where they can hang out and enjoy cooking, eating, watching television, playing games, pray the rosary, and other spiritual activities.
The CSO is sponsored by the parish of St. Benedict Catholic Church and grant funds from Black and Indian Mission. Funds from the Black and Indian Mission are vital to the success of this program as St. Benedict is a small parish comprised of elderly parishioners. The parishioners are not able to give much financial support to CSO, but their interaction with and support of the students is a vital part of their college experience, especially the international students at Grambling State University.
