12th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A) | June 21, 2020
Recently a student asked me a question: Does God make his grace available to everyone or are there certain people he creates to go to hell? That question came to my mind as I was reading over this Sunday's gospel reading, where Jesus asks, "Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?" before assuring us, "Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Mt 10:29, 31). I talk about God's love for us -- and the love we should God in return -- in this week's video reflection (below).

WCU continues to release updates about the fall semester and the steps campus is taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many of these precautions will affect our ministry in terms of what we are able to do and how we will be able to do it. I continue to pay close attention to these updates and will be strategizing with the diocesan campus ministry office and our student leadership team as we plan for the coming semester. There is one thing I can say for certain: it will be a different sort of semester; one that will no doubt be challenging but which will also provide many opportunities to be creative as we seek to spread the Good News on campus and grow in Christian discipleship. If you have not done so already, you can review all campus announcements about the Fall 2020 semester on their web site .

Know of my continued prayers for all of you. Please pray for me.

In Christ's Peace,
Deacon Matt
A Time to Listen
Deacon Matt offers commentary in this week's edition of the Catholic News Herald.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Eccl 3:1). So begins the best-known passage in the Book of Ecclesiastes. Among the litany of appointed times is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (3:7). For many today, especially people of color, the addition of George Floyd’s name to the lengthy roll of black victims of police brutality means the time for silence has passed. Now is a time to speak. But for some to speak others must be silent. If everyone speaks at once, no one’s voice is heard.
Our Unity in Christ

Bishop Jugis' letter to the faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte
Welcoming New Students
Do you know someone who is starting at Western in the Fall, either as a freshman or transfer student? As in-person orientations have been cancelled for the summer, we've created a special page on our web site to introduce our ministry to new students, and invite them to introduce themselves to us. Please pass it along to any student or parent you know who needs to connect with us!

Online Small Groups
Our students are enjoying their on-line Bible study small groups so much they don't want to stop! We're happy to announce that they plan to continue to meet over the summer, and new students are invited to join in.

MONDAY NIGHT 8:00-9:00 PM:

WEDNESDAY NIGHT 8:00-9:00 PM:
Parking Passes
Catholic Campus Ministry's parking lot is available for student and faculty parking during the fall and spring semesters. We are located within an easy walk from the center of campus and the money raised from parking permits goes directly to help fund our ministry.

We will have parking passes available for $150 per semester (or $300 for the year) beginning July 1 . To be notified as soon as registrations are open, you may email us at ccm@wcucatholic.org .
Thank you for your support!
Catholic Campus Ministry at WCU
Deacon Matthew Newsome, MTh, campus minister
828-293-9374