Student Finds Path to Ministry at CUA

When junior Teresa Nadareski was looking into colleges, she knew she wanted to go to a Catholic school that offered a strong theology program.

She said Catholic University “felt like a perfect fit from the start.” It seemed different to her from other schools and she liked how CUA “authentically lives out its Catholic identity.”

As a freshman, she became involved in a number of extracurricular activities. What she found most fulfilling, however, were activities that allowed her to express her faith in various ways.

Today, she is a student minister for the Millennium South residence hall. She describes the experience as “challenging but rewarding” and a way to “witness Christ on campus that is relatable and applicable to us as students.” She says student minsters are a resource to help guide their peers through college life through forming relationships and planning programs like the Homecoming charity ball and CUA on Tap.

“It is basically a full-time job, but probably the most incredible experience I have had at Catholic thus far,” she explains.

Nadareski, who has been playing the piano since she was in third grade, is also an assistant coordinator for retreat music for the Office of Campus Ministry. She said it has been a great opportunity for her to collaborate with other student musicians. She is also a pianist for praise and worship adoration.

As a RENEW leader, Nadareski leads a group once a week in prayer and discussion to help build faith among students in her residence hall. “The discussion helps us grow and learn from one another’s experiences,” she says.

Nadareski is also an extraordinary minster for holy Communion. “It’s another way to get involved and experience my faith through service to our campus community,” she explains.

On top of that, she spends eight hours a week interning for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. The internship allows her to focus on her interest in youth ministry. She’s currently working on a project that involves fostering faith in families. Last fall, she had the chance to assist at the 2011 National Catholic Youth Conference held in Indianapolis. The event drew more than 20,000 young people.

Her involvement in these activities has helped Nadareski find her place and figure out what she wants to do after graduation. She hopes to spend a year doing service before going on to graduate school for theology. Eventually she hopes to minister to high school students.

“Participating in Campus Ministry as a student minister, the internship, and continuing to play music, that’s when I feel most alive and happy,” she says. “My involvement at Catholic has helped me discover who I am and what I want to do and I know that here, I will always have a community that will support me.”