DIOCESE WORKS TO BRING COLLEGE STUDENTS TO FAITH

The Diocese’s newly established college ministry program completed its first full semester this spring, during which it partnered with the St. Peter Church of Watervliet, N.Y., to hold a series of visits in the Albany area.

“We want to send a welcome to these students, let them know they’re always a part of our church family,” said Jason Demerjian, the Diocese’s college ministry facilitator. “We’ve been working to be visible on campuses, to meet with students, and to answer their questions. College is a difficult time, and we want them to know we’re there for them anytime they need our help.”

ARMENIAN IDENTITY

In the Albany area Demerjian and Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of St. Peter Church, visited with students at the State University of New York in Albany, Siena College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Their first visits were a discussion on the Armenian Christian faith and how it fit into the concept of Armenian identity.

“This is a good experience to get knowledge of our people,” said David Mahserjian of Siena College. “I appreciate those of you who support us and let us continue the things we do as Armenians.”

The campus gatherings brought out dozens of Armenian students to explore their tradition. The visits were also a chance for students to explain their faith to non-Armenian friends.

“As a member of the Roman Catholic Church, I found the visit to be informative and an encouraging sign that faith is important to college students,” said Meaghan Horn, a student at Siena College. “We want to hold an inter-church prayer service next year, as something that further affirms the idea that faith is important to college students.”

CONTINUING EFFORTS

At the request of RPI students, Demerjian and Fr. Doudoukjian organized a follow-up barbeque party that also served as the starting point for what could become an officially recognized Armenian students club at the school.

“The visits were an excellent start to what I hope will turn into a monthly club meeting, for Armenian college students to gather and recognize their culture,” said Haig Seferian, a student at RPI.

“We finally took the all-important step of starting a club,” said Jason Garabedian from RPI. “The school has always had an Armenian population, and now Armenian kids will have more of a reason to attend RPI, besides the fact that it is a good school.”

LOCAL SUPPORT

Along with the Albany-area ventures, Demerjian went on a number of successful visits to colleges around Boston, Mass.

The goal of the college ministry program is to work with local parish clergy and lay leaders in identifying students and coordinating follow-up contacts. Since Demerjian is the sole staffer, he cannot make regular visits to all campuses with Armenian populations. That’s why the success of college ministry outreach will depend on people in the local parishes such as Fr. Doudoukjian, who has taken an interest in the success of the Albany area.

Fr. Doudoukjian, as a deacon in 1993, worked to reach out to college students. “When 17- and 18- year-olds go to college, there’s a newfound independence. And with that comes a desire to carve out who they are as individuals. If we come to their home territory on campus and say, ‘Yes, the Armenian Church cares,’ and provide guidance, the results can be unbelievable.”

“The parents need to get involved, and let the Diocese and local parishes know when their kids go away to school,” he said. “Will all this work and make them involved in the life of the church? If you’re not in there doing ministry, you have little chance at all. If you are out there and affecting people’s lives in a positive way, the chance is greater. You plant the seed, and never know what fruit will blossom.”