Learning about Catholicism

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I attend Loras College which is a Catholic Liberal Arts College. I have lived in this environment for over three years and taken a few classes that have focused on the Catholic Religion. I have often felt as though I haven’t learned much about Catholicism during my first three years at Loras. I have attended Catholic school since kindergarten and have taken classes in religion as far back as I can remember. In a sense, I have thought of Loras as an extension of high school as far as my education in Catholicism is concerned. However, I mentioned in a previous blog that after talking with fellow classmates about Loras, I realized certain details that I had not seen before. I think that talking to people who did not attend Catholic high schools about the Loras environment is what I have learned most about Catholicism while on campus. I had never been exposed to many Catholics who had attended public schools before entering Loras College and they have revealed many aspects of a Catholic education that I had not been aware of. My example about the Catholic aspect of teaching the sciences was something that I had not thought of and by talking to others I actually learned more about Catholicism on campus. I believe that I have actually learned more about other religions than I have about Catholicism at Loras. I took a Catholic Identity course entitled Priest, Minister, Rabbi two years ago. Much of what was discussed about Catholicism was familiar to me. However, the material on the comparison between Catholicism and Protestantism and Judaism was very new to me. I increased my knowledge on Catholicism by learning about two other religions.

I think that there is definitely something unique about attending a Catholic College versus a public university. I have to confess some ignorance on this subject as I have not spent a significant amount of time at a non-denominational university. I would assume that there is less openness surrounding religion at a public university and there is most likely not a campus ministry room in their main buildings. Students usually receive a few emails a week surrounding Catholic events on campus such as ones about daily or weekly Mass. I have also noticed the presence of crucifixes in some of the rooms of the science hall on campus which I know would not be present at a public school. There is also a difference between attending a Catholic college and a college affiliated with a different religion. Loras most likely has more in common with these private schools than public universities; but again, I have very little knowledge on other private institutions. I think that the most significant thing that is focused on at a Catholic college is the importance of being a part of a community. The Catholic Church focuses its teachings on a community rather than in an individualistic way. This is why Catholics stress the importance of attending Mass every week. Students are encouraged to attend events about their religion and one is usually offered at least once a week. Classes in which the main focus is the discussion about the Catholic religion are also held. These factors help to make students realize that they a part of community and that they should take an active role in it.

Our class recently read a book by Dorothy Day about the Catholic Worker Movement. I have to admit that I was completely ignorant of this movement and the fact that it still exists today. I did not even realize that there was a Catholic house here in Dubuque. However, after reading Day’s book, I got a much better sense on this particular service branch of the Catholic religion in the United States. I had a friend in high school that was not Catholic and I remember having many conversations about the differences between our two religions. Some of the discussions focused on the differences in ministry services that religion performs. I had to agree with him that at the current time I felt that Protestants were more involved with spreading their ministry than Catholics were. However, after learning about the Catholic Worker houses still in this country, my perception has changed. If I would have known about this book while still in high school then I would have been able to have a much more in-depth and worthwhile discussion with him. Overall, I am glad to have attended a Catholic college and can’t see myself at a public university or a college of some other denomination.