University of Idaho students and Father Chase Hasenoehrl (center) enjoy fellowship around the fire at St. Augustine’s student center in Moscow. (Courtesy Photo/Eric Meyer)
By Heather Meyer
For the ICR
Each year, at the beginning of the Fall semester, the student center is packed with new and returning University of Idaho students. Masses are bustling with families moving their kids to town. Returning students welcome the freshman and daily activities draw attention to our great Catholic faith on campus.
The start of each university year is celebrated with ‘Welcome Week,’ which fosters community and introduces opportunities for spiritual growth. On Sunday, Aug.18, students were invited to register with the church and received a Vandal Catholic T-shirt designed by Megan (Schwartz) Goeckner, an art graduate from the previous year. This year’s shirt features an image of St. Augustine inspired by the world-class icon displayed in the church. As the week-end came to an end, the student center was packed with new faces, and the T-shirts were gone.
Festivities reached their peak on Wednesday, Aug. 28, the feast day of St. Augustine, our patron. Over 175 parishioners and students gathered for a 5:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a celebratory meal, marking a joyous beginning of the academic year. The celebration continued well into the evening.
“It was a blast to fill the courtyard to celebrate Saint Augustine’s feast day, and spend time with students and parishioners alike, who stayed until nearly 10 p.m.,” said Father Chase. The 2024–25 school year is shaping up to be one of faith, study, and fellowship with lots of fun.
Since he arrived in 2015, Father Chase Hasenoehrl has overseen numerous enhancements to the property. This summer, significant renovations transformed the courtyard space between the two buildings. The old, uneven pavement and grassy area were replaced with a sleek expanse of concrete. Other upgrades included fresh paint, new outdoor lighting, an updated sprinkler system, a stylish gas fire table and comfortable outdoor furniture which arrived just in time for the new academic year.
“After months of hard work by parishioners and financial sacrifice by donors, Saint Augustine’s newly expanded courtyard gathers dozens of people multiple times a week to enjoy each other’s company, sit around the fire pit, and build up the Catholic faith. We look forward to years of great conversations and faithful encouragement,” said Father Chase.
“Vandal Catholic,” as the church and student center is commonly known, is rich in Catholic tradition. Six FOCUS missionaries assigned to St. Augustine’s are active and energized on campus and have made student-athletes and the Greek community a focus of their efforts. Last year, nearly two dozen Vandal athletes joined a retreat to learn and deepen their faith.
The Vandal FOCUS team for 2024 includes a new director this year, Nathan Lipinski. The team also wel=comed Celia Moneboulou, while Sam and Claire Harris and Megan Ahern departed. Peter Behrend, a current U of I senior, also serves on the team.
Each year, the center sponsors an intellect program designed to teach, challenge, and deepen faith. Dr. Gracjan Kraszewski, Director of Intellectual Formation, leads a weekly course focusing on the life and teachings of our Patron saint, Saint Augustine.
Much of the center’s activity gathers around Monica’s Coffee Bar, which is open daily and serves the best cup of Joe on the Palouse.
In addition to forming students, St. Augustine’s also has a deacon candidate. Eric Meyer, a long-time parishioner, is in his fourth year of diaconate formation and will continue serving at the campus center following ordination. He is the author of The Catholic Company Man (Wipf and Stock 2022) and a regular guest on Salt and Light Radio.
The Catholic faith is alive at the University of Idaho. Visitors are always welcome.
Visit vandalcatholic.com to learn more or join our ministry as a financial donor.
Heather Meyer is the Director of Operations for St. Augustine’s Catholic Student Center.
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