'A unique opportunity': College campus ministries welcome students

The Diocese of Raleigh supports six Catholic Campus Ministries for college-age Catholics and surrounding campus communities. This flyer provides contact information and Mass times for all six sites (PDF): Duke, East Carolina, Elon, NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC-Wilmington.

As students head to college campuses across Eastern North Carolina, some for the very first time, NC Catholics caught up with Sara Coello, who returns to her alma mater in Chapel Hill as UNC Newman Center’s new campus ministry assistant.

NC Catholics: What is your new role at UNC-Newman?

Sara Coello: I help run all our undergrad ministries including small groups, retreats, our weekly Carolina Catholic Night and more. I graduated from UNC this past May and was involved at the Newman Center during my time as a student, so it is exciting to be back to serve the community that has given me so much!

NCC: How did you arrive at this position?

SC: Working in ministry is something I thought about during my time in college, but I also had other career/education options I was thinking about. But when UNC Newman announced this new position, I knew it was the perfect fit. I am excited for this year to learn and experience the behind-the-scenes of ministry!

NCC: What do you hope to accomplish at UNC-Newman this fall?

SC: I really hope to bring more students into our community here at UNC. Going into this year, many of our students haven’t had a full year living on campus. Many will be looking for a community and a place to belong. Because of this, I think we have a unique opportunity to bring people in and invite them to our community and a relationship with Jesus. I am excited to see the fruit that comes from that! I also hope to continue building relationships with students that I met during my time at UNC and really helping those around me come to know Jesus deeper.  

NCC: Do you have any tips for incoming students?

SC: My biggest piece of advice is to be yourself. It might sound cheesy, but college brings so many opportunities and so many things to try, it can be easy to lose sight of yourself when you are trying to find your place. I know for me, I was happiest when I was doing things that I cared about and was with people who saw me and liked me for who I was. You will find your place!