Photo courtesy of Rimon Mori via Unsplash.
Conversion classes held at the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values provide University of Tampa (UTampa) students access to sacraments, Mass, and instruction without leaving campus.
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By Genesis Aviles
TAMPA, Fla. — As interest in faith-based organizations grows among young adults, Catholic leaders at UTampa say they are seeing that trend reflected on campus.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process through which individuals prepare to become Catholic or complete sacraments such as baptism, first Communion, and confirmation.
At UTampa, the program is offered through the student organization UTampa Catholic in partnership with Christ the King Catholic Church.
Classes and Masses are held at the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values, located in the center of campus. Confessions are offered twice a week, Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 7:30 to 8 p.m. The group also hosts weekly Mass, Bible studies, adoration, and liturgical celebrations such as Ash Wednesday.
Collin Likover, director of Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionaries at UTampa Catholic, said participation has increased significantly in recent years.
“So, first and foremost, before our organization got here, there were only like five to 10 people going to Mass every Sunday,” said Likover. “Now there are over 200 people going to Mass every Sunday.”
Likover, 30, who lives in Tampa, said the OCIA program was launched last year after leaders noticed a growing number of students interested in becoming Catholic.
“Last year we had 18 people become Catholic,” said Likover. “And then this year we have 30 people in the class. So overall, 48 people in the last two years.”
The process begins in October and continues through Easter. Students attend weekly classes on Sunday evenings and participate in specific rites during Mass as they prepare to receive their sacraments.
“It’s the same process because we’re connected to Christ the King Catholic Church,” said Likover. “We just happen to teach the classes here for accessibility for the students.”
Likover said he believes broader cultural factors may contribute to the rise in participation.
“There are a lot of various forms of struggle, spiritual struggle in our country,” said Likover. “People are very confused about what’s true.”
“I think that, in this generation, people are going to faith to find not only meaning, but also to find truth,” he said.
Anthony Cavallo, a UTampa student from Huntington, New York, helps lead OCIA classes and Bible studies. He said his motivation comes from his understanding of Christian teaching.
“What inspired me most to help lead these classes comes primarily from Jesus’ last words he said on earth,” said Cavallo. “My love for Jesus inspires my love for others, because to truly love someone else means to give myself without any reward.”
Cavallo said he has observed a common theme among students who enroll in the program.
“What I notice in all the students who desire to be converted is humility, and hunger for something deeper,” he said. “College is the place where most individuals try to discover what the purpose of their life is.”
UTampa Catholic leaders emphasize that participation is voluntary. There are no dues or required commitments, and students are free to attend events as they choose. In addition to OCIA, 32 different leaders host weekly Bible studies.
Lauren Forster, a student at UTampa, said she decided to enroll in OCIA after hearing an announcement at her first campus Mass.
“Once I got to UTampa, the first Mass made an announcement about going through OCIA to become Catholic,” said Forster. “I felt a calling to formally go through the process and become fully Catholic.”
Although she grew up attending church with her family, Forster had not been baptized or confirmed. She said the experience has helped her better understand her faith.
“The experience has been amazing,” said Forster. “I’ve learned so much about the faith and history of the Church.”
Forster said going through the process during college has been meaningful.
“Being able to go through this in college and meet some of my best friends is an amazing thing,” she said.
As the current OCIA class continues to meet weekly throughout the spring semester, the time is approaching for students to receive their sacraments this Easter at Christ the King Church, where they will officially become part of the Catholic faith as FOCUS and UTampa Catholic continue to make Catholic worship and instruction accessible to students on campus.