UTAS Catholic Chaplaincy set to thrive in 2025
By Josh Low
Providing evermore opportunities for young people to grow in faith and fellowship is the aim of the University of Tasmania (UTAS) Catholic Chaplaincy team.
Over the course of 2024, the UTAS Catholic Chaplaincy has seen an explosion of grace, with many on campus encountering Christ and seeking to grow in faith.
This year, Hobart Campus Ministry Coordinator Daniel de la Motte said the university chaplaincy is hoping to raise $10,000 to support their efforts in accompanying young adults in their faith and university journeys.
“Our vision is that through our efforts, students go on to be great Catholic parents, teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors, politicians, scientists, lawyers, engineers, professionals, leaders and religious renewing the church and the world,” he said.
“Our university campuses are filled with young people searching for meaning, purpose, and belonging.
“Many are away from home for the first time, navigating the pressures of study, finances, and work.
“In the midst of this, the chaplaincy and the Catholic Students’ Society stands as a beacon of hope.
“We invite students to encounter the love of Christ, to grow in faith and perseverance, and seek adventure in a thriving Catholic community,” he said.
The UTAS Catholic Chaplaincy’s ministry efforts include on-campus celebration of mass, reconciliation, group prayer of the rosary and group coffee discussions, with weekly student formation evenings see bible study and Eucharistic Adoration also held at Sandy Bay Parish.
“The chaplaincy team also meets one-to-one with students for spiritual direction and over coffee for accompaniment, mentoring and prayer,” Daniel said.
“From serving three to five students week-to-week in February last year, we concluded 2024 working with 15-20 students and staff each week.
“We served more students beyond this with one-on-one ministry and the peer-to-peer ministry of students. All of this was achieved on a weekly budget of $50.
“Our mission is simple but profound – to introduce students to Christ, who reveals the Father’s love, orders our lives to love, and shows us the way through suffering and death to full life.
“We are grateful for the pioneering efforts of past chaplains and students who paved the way for this ministry, for the individuals and parishes who have contributed their time and resources, and for the students who have courageously sought Christ in their university years.
“As we look ahead, we need help to grow, and are immensely grateful for any support, whether through prayer, attending our fundraising events or by financial means, as we seek to achieve our mission this year.”
You can support the UTAS Catholic Chaplaincy by getting involved in the following:
Chaplaincy Quiz Night: https://campus.hellorubric.com/?eid=29949
The Quiz night will be held on Saturday March 22nd at South Hobart Parish. It’s a great opportunity for the local church and wider community to rally around our young adults and have a great night of fun and fellowship!
Chaplaincy Raffle entries: https://campus.hellorubric.com/?eid=30008
The Raffle contest’s first prize draw is for a Pennicott wilderness adventure cruise for two (valued at $250), the second prize draw is for a set of handmade candles from Saintly Scents (valued at $110), and third prize draw is for a set of Tasmanian botanical Jewelry from Little Flower (valued at $108). All proceeds will support the chaplaincy ministry.
For more information on the UTAS Catholic Chaplaincy, please contact Daniel De la Motte at utaschaplaincy@aoh.org.au