(Br. Ernest Miller, FSC, Director of Office of Education and Mission Formation, introduces speaker Br. Dennis Werment, SC, Pastoral Associate, St. Clement Pope Parish.)
Baltimore, MD – St. Mary’s University and Seminary Center for Continuing Formation, hosted the first Symposium of Campus Ministers. The gathering brought eleven participants Br. Michael Andrekjo, FSC, Central Catholic HS, Br. Carl Clayton, FSC, Calvert Hall College HS, Mr. Gregory Derus, St John’s College HS, Mr. Philip Forte, Cardinal Gibbons School, Ms. Kathleen Kernich, St. John’s College HS, Mr. Marc Parisi, Calvert Hall College HS, Mr. Mario Ragghianti, La Salle Academy, Ms. Meaghan Tracey, Calvert Hall College HS, Deacon Bill Walkowiak, St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, Mr. Richard Ward, La Salle School, Mrs. Susan Yost, Cardinal Gibbons School involved in campus ministry from Lasallian ministries from the Districts of Baltimore, Midwest and New York for sharing of knowledge and discussion on campus ministry issues. The symposium purposefully had a collegial design to encourage participants to impart their best practices and ideas with each other.
The workshop had an opening evening, followed by a full day and finished with a closing morning format. The first evening Rev. Edward Branch, D. Min., Founding Director Lyke House, The Catholic Center at The Atlanta University Center, provided the general context of the gathering with a keynote address entitled Butchers, Bakers and Candlestick Makers: Creating Subversives for the Jesus Movement. The talk focused on the message of the Gospels, many times counter to the popular culture, to make our schools training grounds for the mission of Jesus. The first session of the full day together was led by 
Mr. Alexander Pazuchanics, Central Catholic High School graduate, who shared his research and thoughts on celebrating liturgy in a meaningful and spiritual fashion with young people. Br. Dennis Wermert, SC, Pastoral Associate, St. Clement Pope Parish, Jamaica, Queens, NY, spoke on designing and sustaining effective high school campus ministry and shared insights from his years of experience. The evening session was time to examine different retreat models from Kairos to retreats in natural settings. 
This dialogue was directed by Rev. Rich McCouch, SJ, Chaplin (Director of Campus Ministry at Georgetown Preparatory School, Mr. Joseph Parisi, Kairos Adult Leader at La Salle College High School and Mr. Daniel Cavoli, Campus Ministry Team member at St. Edwards High School. The program wrapped up with a conversation on connecting Christian service and social justice education/advocacy guided by Mr. David Chiles, Director of the Wolfington Center and Director of Service at Cabrini College.
The time together gave the attendees time to build community, to learn, to pray and reflect. Formal opportunities to share were built into the program as Ms. Meaghan Tracy and Mr. Marc Parisi
of Calvert Hall College High School imparted insights about strong campus ministry programs for Lent and social justice immersion programs respectively. Informal opportunities to communicate were present at meals and socials. Prayer ended and began each day and quiet setting of the Center for Continuing Formation provided time for personal prayer and reflection. The workshop provided a myriad of thoughts and ideas for all participants to take back to their personal ministries and many contacts to help sustain the integral mission of campus ministry.