In the early 1990s when parishioners of Newman University Parish in Stevens Point, WI hosted opportunity for Catholic University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP) students to meet each other.
Now, around 35 years later, despite a merge of local parishes, the event is hosted by Point Catholic UWSP student organization hosts the event twice a month, has an average of 110 attendees, and each time 90 parishioners are called to ask them to donate food or their time. Kathy Budelier serving food to students at a Student Supper.
“I like coming because I can share in both a delicious meal and community," said Gwen Goetter, a Point Catholic member. "It’s so easy to feel alone in college, but Student Suppers are a warm, inviting, friendly, place to be."
Attending Student Supper mid-semester allows students to create friendships if they have been struggling due to many students already having friend groups. Additionally, these friendships can develop throughout the rest of the semester unlike if a student were to go to a supper in December as winter break would shortly follow after.
“There is an epidemic of anxiety in our country, especially among the young," said Rev. Steve Brice, the priest for Holy Spirit Parish in Stevens Point, WI. "Isolation feeds it. The antidote to both is community. Point Catholic Student Suppers provide a safe, healthy, accessible way to enter into relationships with others and develop a supportive friend group. It is also a doorway into many other life giving, growth encouraging experiences and activities." Rev. Steve Brice talking with a student at a Student Supper.At a Student Supper, students are provided a homecooked meal by parishioners of Holy Spirit Parish. Additionally, a Catholic guest speaker touches on a topic the students are interested in.
“It’s a chance to get a good, homemade meal at no cost, and a chance to connect with other people who share something in common (whether it is faith, curiosity, loneliness, activity, etc.)," said Kathy Budelier, a parishioner at Holy Spirit Parish who coordinates the Student Suppers. "It’s also a chance to become part of a strong faith community." Mike Iversen giving a talk about discernment at a Student Supper.“I took away that everything is going to be fine," said Katy Czerwinski, a Point Catholic member. "He [Mike Iversen, a guest speaker from Spiritus Ministries] said some really good points when he talked about living in the present and that was really helpful for me. I thought it was a really good talk [about discernment] overall and I think it was beneficial for a lot of people." Going to a Student Supper can give a student insight and useful life skills to implement into their life during and after college. All of the Student Suppers are catered to what the students ask for. “I love the cheesy potatoes," said Czerwinski. "After I graduate I am hunting down that recipe and I am going to find it! I want that recipe and my gosh it is so good!" “One of the most important lessons to learn in college is how to manage your life in a balanced sustainable way," said Brice. "Eating right, balancing work with leisure, forming healthy relationships, are all lifelong habits that get established in college years. The Point Catholic Student Supper is a good piece to the puzzle of student life.” The Point Catholic Leadership Team is hopeful that students will RSVP on SPIN for the next Student Supper on Oct. 17 at 6:00 p.m. Call 715-344-9117 or 715-310-9447 to volunteer your time or to bring in food. Another way to sign up for volunteering is going on the Holy Spirit Parish Student Supper SignUpGenius.