Campus Ministry adds “companions”
New ministry program teaches students to counsel fellow students

Jon Stewart | copy editor
jstewart2@smcvt.edu

St. Michael's College Campus Ministry and its current Faith of Christians Uniting team (FOCUS) have created a new program on campus called Companions on the Journey.

The goal of Companions on the Journey is to have peer-ministers work with students on campus who have questions about faith and life.  Each semester, Campus Ministry organizes retreats for students that are interested in spirituality and their own faith. This particular FOCUS team organized a retreat to talk about ways in which it can better help the campus community and its faith.  

Junior Brigette Comeau is one of Campus Ministry's Companions on the Journey. She will be peer-ministering this year. Jon Stewart, photo

During a FOCUS retreat that took place this past spring, students on the team discussed ways they can work to promote Christian faith on campus and connect with fellow students.  The students decided that one way to reach this goal would be to begin a program of peer-ministers, also known as Companions on the Journey. 

St. Michael's junior Brigette Comeau, contributed to developing the Companions on the Journey program. 

"Everyone jumped on it because an intricate part of our faith is ministering towards other people,” Comeau says.

Anna Lester, campus minister and Companions on the Journey facilitator says that this particular group is strong.  Its energy and willingness to succeed are the factors that have lifted the program off the ground this year, she says.

The companions’ journey

Rev. Brian Cummings, director of Edmundite Campus Ministry says that in years past, members of ministry would live in the residence halls and have closer contact with students.  While the peer-ministers will not be present in the residence halls to replace priests, he says that the program’s mission is not to explain dogma and doctrine as strictly as campus ministers, but to offer students another representative of Campus Ministry to talk with. 

Campus Minister Anna Lester facilitates Companions on the Journey. Jon Stewart, photo

“It allows students common language from their own generation and to witness faith and ask questions,” Cummings says.  “It is the initiative to bring the gospel message from another resource.” 

Such peer-ministers make themselves available to tackle questions about faith that students may have.

“Our goal is to be there for people, to help students on their spiritual journey,” Comeau says.  “We’re all on the same journey to grow in our faith.” 

Close to one or two peer-ministers are assigned to each residence hall on campus with a stronger focus of peers in the quad.  The peer-ministers will work in correlation with Campus Ministry as well as the resident directors and assistants to guide students. 

“We want there to be a presence of ministry,” Lester says.  “When you see this person (peer-ministers) you know it’s a safe haven to talk about anything you want.”   

While peer-ministers are dedicating their time to helping students on a spiritual path of building a relationship through God with one another, Comeau says the work of such peer-ministers goes beyond faith. 

“We want to give students someone to open up to, feel comfortable with anything and build connections and trust,” she says. 

This program is unique because of the student-to-student interaction that takes place without the assistance of faculty, Lester says. 

“Anna (Lester) is the most amazing person I know,” Comeau says.  “She has organized the entire thing and really believes in peer ministry instead of having faculty do it.”   

Comeau says that Companions on the Journey is special because it allows students to share their thoughts and feelings with someone on the same level.

“Personally, I am more open to someone I can relate to more," Comeau says.  “It’s much less intimidating.” 

Tying together all the pieces

Student-peers have training with Lester and other members of Campus Ministry as well as upcoming guest speakers in order to train the peer-ministers properly to help students. There is a handbook that guides students on their journey with particular issues to consider. However, the training sessions help peer-ministers learn how to counsel students and learn what types of subjects can be talked about to help them. 

Companions on the Journey has gotten underway this semester by student-peers holding meetings in residence locations on campus.  This was to give out contact information so students can get in touch with peer-ministers if they are interested in the program and talking about faith, Comeau says. 

Student-peers on the FOCUS team are also working to do something different in each residence hall to reach out to students.  One such idea is to hold a social with the students so they can become more aware and comfortable with the peer-ministers, Comeau says.

“In a sense they (peer-ministers) are in the midst of it and don’t have all the answers, but they are willing to ask the hard questions about God and learn with students,” Lester says. 

There are also plans to put up flyers to help promote the program as well as write letters to students who have demonstrated an interest in Campus Ministry. 

"I am really excited to have people to self-minister,” Comeau says.  “I want to help at least one person because if you have touched that person, through helping others you help yourself spiritually grow.”