There use to be a pride about being a real Catholic.
Going to Notre Dame, being there for six years working on two degrees, I made great friends. But, friendship was based on shared Catholic morals, faith and vision.
My son experienced the same "family" atmosphere at Thomas Aquinas College.
To be in a college or university where one can find people who share goals and vision is to find a real community based on faith.
Not all young people live their faith in college or university, but some do. One of my friend's children went to the University of Illinois at Springfield. None of them lost their faith, all married practicing Catholics and all are having children. They joined an active Newman Club and made Catholic friends.
To blame university or college for the loss of faith ignores free will and the opportunities available.
Is it hard to keep the faith in a secular atmosphere? Yes, and it is much better for parents to encourage their children to attend Wyoming Catholic, Thomas Aquinas, Christendom and Ave Maria for obvious reasons.
Just getting to daily Mass is a great help in keeping the faith, staying pure, and so on.
One can create a community at college or university. One can seek out like-minded people.
Faith does not have to disappear.
As the school year starts, pray for students to be true to the gift of faith God has given them in Baptism and strengthened in Confirmation.
By the way, there are now 58 priests who are alumni of Thomas Aquinas College. One more alum is a seminarian in England!
