Fall 2005

Seeking the Spirit

Student religious leaders tell us why they participate, what they believe,
and why they still ask questions

Email Story

Megan Snider ’06

Snider is co-president of the Newman Catholic Student Organization. The group provides a community for students and encourages them to develop their faith through activities such as small group meetings, on-campus Masses once a month, walking to Mass together on Sundays, eating dinner in Lowry on Wednesday evenings, retreats, and other get-togethers. Snider devotes at least five hours a week to Newman group activities or planning. 

When I was a first-year, I questioned a lot about the Catholic tradition in which I was raised. I knew that the only way that I would find answers to my questions was to ask. Newman was a place where I could ask my questions and feel a sense of community that I never had at my home church. 

I was not very active in church as a youth. My Christian friends would invite me over to their church activities, like vacation bible schools and mission trips, but I rarely interacted socially with my own church congregation.

I have come a long way in the past three years, developing what it is that I believe. I don’t doubt that I will continue to ask questions and ponder the truth of my fundamental beliefs. My faith is definitely still Christian, and I have regained assurance that I can call myself Catholic (I was unsure of that a few years back). I think that doubting makes my faith stronger. It was only through doubt that I came to find answers that made sense to me.

I also have an interest in other religions, so I am minoring in religious studies. I enjoy talking about these issues at the Office of Interfaith Campus Ministries, where I work, and I’ve talked to professors in my religion classes. I’ve discussed issues like the authority of the Pope, the validity of Catholic teachings about Jesus and his life, the truth of the Bible and numerous Catholic doctrines, why we do certain things, and why certain teachings are so strict.

I have accepted that the Bible is not literal truth, but it guides people in their faith and life.  I accept other people more because I understand more; I understand more because I asked. Wooster, specifically Interfaith Campus Ministries, has been my sanctuary for asking questions. 

I’d guess that seventy-five percent of the students at Wooster would say they grew up with a religious background. However, I would guess that only forty to forty-five percent of the student body are practicing their faith in some way.

My faith gives me morals to live by. I try to act as Jesus did and try to share my faith through my actions. Faith is a huge aspect of my life. That’s why I put so much time into it here at school.