Helping find a niche on campus
Religious organizations offer support to students of all beliefs

By Bethany McCormack
Staff Reporter

Despite many intentions to visit the TCU Wesley Foundation, it took Christine Matthes more than a semester to finally attend a meeting of the United Methodist student ministry organization. But soon after her initial visit, the campus activity became her second home, she said.

The Wesley Foundation is one of 22 religiously affiliated student organizations TCU offers among its total 140 groups, according to the TCU Factbook. From a second place to hang their hat to an outlet for spiritual expression, religious organizations frequently become a major part of many students’ lives.

Matthes, a junior nutrition major, said she liked the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the Wesley Foundation, which now serves as her main extracurricular activity.

“The Wesley is always my first priority -- just because I love it,” she said.

Aaron McClatchy, a junior religion major, visited the Wesley Foundation after transferring to TCU last fall and is now leading music at the organization, he said.

“I was new here,” he said. “I live off campus and was looking for things to get involved with. I thought I’d give it a chance, and when I went, everyone was very friendly.”

McClatchy said he enjoys the broad variety of activities the Wesley Foundation offers.

“It’s a real dynamic ministry,” he said. “It gives me opportunities to play my guitar, go out and do fun stuff, do service work and mission work.”

Catholic Community, another religious organization on campus, holds Mass on Sundays in the Student Center Ballroom. Some of the organization’s activities include service projects, social events, discussion groups and retreats.

George Havrilla, a junior mechanical engineering major, said he has been involved with Catholic Community since he was a freshman.

“The thing that was most striking to me is being able to go to Mass on Sundays and the whole congregation is mostly students,” Havrilla said. “The homilies are really directed at us, and it’s really easy to relate to.”

Leigh Ann Trahan, a sophomore education major, said she attends Sunday Mass at Catholic Community in place of attending a community church.

“There’s really no Catholic church within walking distance,” she said. “I enjoy Catholic Community because it’s among your peers, and it’s right there in the ballroom.”

The Muslim Student Association began in the fall with the purpose of helping Muslim students from abroad adjust to life in America, said Awais Mazhar, a senior computer science major and president of MSA.

“The organization could help (international students) find a Mosque, keep up with activities and understand the culture,” Mazhar said. “As far as helping international students, it’s great. It really helps out.”

Mazhar said the group attends dinner at a Mosque on the first Friday of every month and travels together to various activities at the Mosque.

Matthes said being involved with the Wesley Foundation allows her to feel comfortable and not worry about being judged. For her, the Wesley offers a feeling of belonging that she doesn’t find elsewhere, she said.

Bethany McCormack
b.s.mccormack@student.tcu.edu