GLory Story: Campus COnnection - UVA Edition
January 2021
A Glory Story is a holy success story! More specifically, it is a short story sharing how God has become better known in the lives of people who have had contact with the ASJB. These stories are full of hope and give all glory to God! Every month we share a new story here so be sure to check in monthly to be uplifted by how God works in the lives of so many!
If you have a Glory Story of your own to share or have seen God work through the ASJB, contact us and we can feature your story!
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While moving off to college is an exciting and wonderful experience, there can often be anxieties that accompany the big change. One of those may be the fear of lacking community and a good group of friends. Our feature this month is about Cora Wack, a student at the University of Virginia. Read below to hear her story about how the ASJB helped introduce her to the right community as she moved to campus as a freshman.
Excited to integrate herself into the Catholic Campus Ministry ministry at The University of Virginia, Cora Wack attended an Associates of St. John Bosco College Night in the summer of 2017. There she met veteran ASJB volunteer and fellow Wahoo, Rosie Kogel, who immediately introduced her to other incoming first year students. Rosie’s welcoming demeanor reassured Cora that she would find a community of strong Catholics among the thousands of students at UVA.
A divine appointment, one might say, awaited the two when they met on Grounds during the first Sunday of the fall semester.
Cora receiving her Bosco Bundle at the College Night in 2017
Rosie tells ASJB that, "Due to my affiliation with Catholic Hoos, I was walking students from meeting points on Grounds to Mass all weekend long. At 8:30pm on Sunday, I was waiting outside of the dining hall for the final trek to the last Mass of the weekend, when I saw Cora. She was watching an outdoor showing of the Avengers put on by the University. We saw one another and hugged and caught up about the weekend. She asked what I was doing and I told her, 'Walking students to Mass, have you been today?' She freaked out and realized she hadn't gone. So, we walked across Grounds to the UVA Chapel and went to Mass together."
Their growing friendship ignited Cora’s faith and she quickly became involved and took on leadership roles in the Catholic Campus Ministry. She joined Rosie's Bible Study for first year students that fall of 2017. Then, she went on to lead her own Bible Study during her second year. During her third year she was on the Student Leadership Board for Catholic Hoos, and now in her fourth year, she is president of the Catholic Hoos Campus Ministry.
When the pandemic hit in March and students were sent home, many of them expressed fear, confusion and desolation. As Chair of the Catholic Hoos, Cora felt defeated and uncertain thinking that virtual ministry could not provide the same sense of community as in-person fellowship.
Cora volunteering for the 2020 College Nights
However, no one could have predicted the fruit that would be born. Throughout the pandemic, the campus ministry has witnessed unprecedented growth thanks to the Holy Spirit. Cora worked through the chaos and poured life into those around her, albeit socially distanced. One example was organizing weekly rosaries via Zoom where she could share her love of Mary with others.
Open to anyone, the group continues to pray a Rosary that meditates on the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Mother and facilitates a deeper understanding of the magnitude of Mary’s love.
When they returned to campus this fall, the number of students attending Bible study more than doubled. This is one of the ways that Cora has witnessed how God transforms what she once thought was lost into something more beautiful.
This gift of faith has transformed the lens with which Cora views the world. She is grateful to the ASJB for the introduction to Rosie and now volunteers her time as an annual College Night volunteer. She is also thankful for a community which launched her into her faith journey of loving Christ without reserve.