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| Steven Serafin photo by: me, Katrina Marie |
Steven Serafin
Class Year:
Class of 2012
Major(s) / Minor(s):
Theology Major; Business Minor
Current on-campus activities:
Student Ministry, Knights of Columbus, Luaupalooza, Advent Committee, Renew Group Leader, Freshman Retreat, Junior Retreat
Past on-campus activities:
Student Ministry, Mission Jamaica, DC-Reads, Lenten Committee, House events, Retreats
Current off-campus activities:
Creating and designing off-campus retreats, working in my diocese chancery office, assistant wrestling coach, golf
Past off-campus activities:
Worked in a movie theater, wrestling
Where is God present in your everyday life?:
You can see God all around you, especially in the random acts of kindness I see happening around campus. I can see him in the path that he has for me, and the people I am with.
How do you take time to notice God's presence in your life?:
I try to find some time to my self to reflect upon my day. Looking back on where I can see Him playing out in my life. Sometimes we miss when God is at work in our life, but being able to stop and take a deep look at my life really helps.
In regards to current and past, on and off campus activities, what initially moved you to get involved? What were the feelings that moved you to serve in the way you have and do?:
In High School I did not get involved till my senior year. I was not very confident in myself so I really kept to myself and did activities not involving many people. My senior year I began to gain this confidence and had so much fun getting involved that I told myself that in college I immediately would want to get involved. I was introduced to everything Campus Ministry had to offer and wanted to do as much as I could; to help serve, make friends and grow in my faith.
As baptized Catholics, when we serve others we have the opportunity to grow in our faith and extend (and express) agape. By "being" love we are moving beyond ourselves and honoring the dignity of all human beings. What ways have you invited others to encounter Christ?:
My favorite way to do this is to let Christ work through me, by just living the life I was given at baptism. I try to bring people the word through my actions and the way I live. I never have to be the first to question others, they ask me why I act the way I do and it sparks a conversation about faith. Once people get a glimpse of Christ, it begins to spread fast, I like helping them find that glimpse.
As a young adult in the Catholic Church what challenges have you come across? How have you overcome them?:
As any young adult I have come across many different challenges throughout my life. I think the most important question is how to overcome them? How I got to where I am now is through all of the amazing people who helped me when I faced these challenges. Finding good friends to help me with my struggles that were always there to hold me accountable and hold me to more has helped me overcome.
How often do you truly look in and examine your inner self?:
In the business of life I sometimes forget or I lose track of myself. I would love to look at my inner self at least once a day but realistically I try to do it twice a week.
Did you attend private or public school prior to college? (If private, Catholic school?):
What advantages do you see with a private (secular or religious) education? What disadvantages? What advantages do you see with public education? What disadvantages? [Can you expand on your own personal experience]:
I attended a private Catholic high school. I loved my high school it really taught me how to be a young adult. Teaching me discipline, the correct way to dress, how to talk to others, and what is important in life. My classes were smaller and I really like that type of dynamic. There were many different types of opportunities that I was able to get involved in.
Why did you choose to attend a private non-secular institution for your higher education? What are the advantages and disadvantages with attending a university like CUA versus a secular private or public institution?:
Honestly I came here because it felt like where I was suppose to go. I’m not into partying or having what people view as the normal college life experience. I thought by coming here I would meet people who had the same views and beliefs I had and help me learn how to live them out. I feel like attending a school like this you really learn the concept of community and are taught a lot more on the personal level how to live out your life. Schools like this really get you ready for the real world and teach you how to be yourself. The disadvantage would be that - it is a small school and it may not have what you want to study. I really feel that it is the person’s preference where they would feel they can be him or herself.
