NJSLC Presentation: Companions Peer Ministry

Learning Objectives

• First to Love in the First Six Weeks

• Servant Leadership Approach

• Knock, Open the Door and Build

Community with First Year Students

What’s behind the door?

What challenges or obstacles

did you face in the first six weeks?

• Homesickness

• Roommate problems

• Loneliness

• Inability to relate to and meet new people

• Anxiety or Insecurity

• Spiritual emptiness

• Doubt of choosing the wrong school

• Class schedule or difficulty

• Fear of the future

• Inability to get involved

• Too involved

What engaged you

during the first six weeks?

• Welcome Week Events

• Resident Assistants and Floor Meetings

• Organization Fairs

• Mass and Worship Services

• Convocation

• Interaction with Upperclassmen

CompanionsBuilding community in leadership through faith and service

• Who?

– Upperclassmen,

Mentors, Advocates,

Lifelines, Liaisons

and Friends

• What?

– Peer Ministry

– Faith Based Programs

Three Pillars

1. Community

2. Servant Leadership

3. Faith

Why?

• For Students:

– Experience of belonging

– Avoid transferring out

– Contribute to the

community

• For Student Leaders:

– Leadership development

– Strive for magis

– Witness growth and

discovery

First to Love in the First Six Weeks

• Different types of

programs

• Collaboration

• Recruit from

all angles

• Calendar early

Jesuit Ideals

• The First Companions:

Ignatius, Xavier and Faber

• Men and Women for Others

Summary

• First to Love in the First Six Weeks

• Servant Leadership Approach

• Open the door, relate to first year students

and build community

LIFEBOAT ACTIVITY

1. Jesuit Priest

2. Woman Who Thinks

She Is Pregnant

3. Captain of the Ship

4. Elementary School

Teacher

5. Lifeguard

6. 87 Year Old Man

7. Marine Biologist

8. CEO of a Bank

9. IRS Agent

10. Housewife with 2

Kids at Home

11. Lawyer

12. Wal-Mart Greeter

13. Movie Star

14. Governor

15. Cancer

Researcher

Contact us for more information

or with your questions:

Justin Hoch: jhoch@luc.edu

Francis Kelly: fkelly@luc.edu