Hello Hounds,
Campus ministry was incredibly busy these past few weeks as we continue to journey through Lent!
This upcoming Sunday, March 29, is Palm Sunday. The 10 AM and 7 PM Masses will begin with the blessing palms in the Lauring Community Room, followed by a procession into the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
This past week (or so), eleven students joined Dcn. Elmer to the 25th Annual Worcester Catholic Men’s Conference DCU Convention Center on Saturday, March 21, 2026. We are grateful for the generous support of the Knights of Columbus for making this experience possible!
We also held a prayer service to pray for the dignity of human beings. Students and members of the campus ministry team came together to create an altar with items that represent a constellation of life issues. The altar was re-created and is located by the main entrance of the chapel for the those who visit to continue to pray for the dignity of human life.
We were joined in prayerful solidarity with our community partners in El Paso, where a March and Vigil for Human Life was held on Tuesday, March 24 in El Paso, Texas. Bishop Evelio Menjivar (Washington D.C.) and Bishop Mark Sietz (El Paso) joined local and National Leaders in this effort. Read more about the events here and in Bishop Sietz’ Pastoral Message on Mass Detention & Mass Deportations in El Paso
We would also like to highlight an emerging student group with Campus Ministry: the Saint Athanasius Worcester Coptic Club (S.A.W.C.C.). The group brings together Coptic Orthodox students from Assumption and across Worcester for Midnight Praise and fellowship. While rooted in the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the group welcomes students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds.
…and the CM Newsletter has added a section highlighting summer and post-graduate volunteer and service opportunities as students begin discerning their plans after graduation. (Just 51 days until Commencement!)
This upcoming week, Campus Ministry is offering the second Come to the Table Retreat on Saturday, March 28 from 2PM-7PM. Contact Dcn. Elmer for more information. We are also promoting another inter-collegiate retreat hosted at Merrimack College on Saturday, April 11 from 10AM-3PM. Contact Luis for more information.
Looking ahead, Holy Week is quickly approaching. Please hold Aidan Deviney ’27 in your prayers along with the many catechumens and Elect in our Assumption community (Ivan Guevara ’26 and Amy Valentine ’26) and global church who will soon receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil and at the 7PM mass on April 19. May our witness of their desire to enter more fully into the life of the church remind us of our own baptismal promises this Easter.
Crucifixion, Donald Jackson,
© 2002 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Holy Week Schedule
Holy Thursday,
April 2
8:00 AM Morning Prayer
7:30 PM Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday,
April 3
8:00 AM Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
3:00 PM Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
Holy Saturday,
April 4
8:00 AM Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
5:35 PM Evening Prayer
8:00 PM Easter Vigil
(including the Baptism of Aidan Deviney ’27)
Easter Sunday,
April 5
8:00 AM Morning Prayer
10:00 AM Mass
4:30 PM Evening Prayer
Parking
Free parking is available in Lot N adjacent to the Chapel (11).
If the gate at the campus entrance is closed, press the button on the intercom outside of the gatehouse and let the officer on duty know that you are going to the Chapel.
Worship Schedule
Looking Ahead in Campus Ministry
Looking Back in Campus Ministry
SEND Return Trip Meeting (March 17, 2026)
Featuring Casey Driscoll of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps
Happy St. Patrick’s Day in Tinsley!
Featuring Una Murphy’s Scones and a Lunch in Taylor Dining Hall led by Liam Waldron ’28
Accept Assumption (March 14, 2026)
Featuring John Nguyen ’28, Luis Melgar, and Maya Coulouras ’26
Assumption Center, 1904 Day of Service (March 18, 2026)
Featuring Dcn. Paul Covino, Isabella Fierimonte (Human Resources), Neeja Edmonds (Reach Out Center), Lexi Kirkeby ’27, & Lea Christo (Dept. of Health and Human Services)
Catechumen Aidan Deviney ’27 with Luis Melgar and Dcn. Paul Covino
Prayers are welcome as Aidan prepares to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist on Saturday, April 4. Read more below!
ADORATIO NOVA: Colloquium on Worship Boston, MA
(March 19-21, 2026)
This week, over 50 leaders in worship, music, theology, and campus ministry from 25+ Catholic schools and institutions came together at Boston College High School for Adoratio Nova: A Colloquium on Worship to reimagine how our school communities worship.
Featuring Dcn. Paul Covino, Dr. Jonathan Bezdegian, & Luis Melgar
Altar from the Prayer Service for Human Dignity and Life (March 23, 2026). Huge thanks to Allen Chen Wu ’28 and Ella Bradshaw ’27 for the helping Campus Ministry set this up!
PRAYER & FASTING OPPORTUNITIES
Unity: Many Campuses, One Christ Retreat
The Unity: Many Campuses, One Christ Retreat is an inter-collegiate retreat hosted by Merrimack College on Saturday, April 11 from 10AM-3PM. Students from various campus ministry will come together to reflect, worship and connect. Please note that this is also an Accept Assumption day.
Spots are limited and are first come, first serve.
All students are welcome to register; please click on the link below to secure your spot. Contact Luis Melgar for more information.
Saint Athanasius Worcester Coptic Club (S.A.W.C.C.).
Student Organization dedicated to the Coptic Orthodox Church, bringing together Faith, Culture, and Community through weekly events and activities around Worcester.
They rotate their ‘Midnight Praise” locations between WPI and Holy Cross. The next Midnight Praise will be on Wednesday, April 15 from 6:30-8PM in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
ALMSGIVING & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
1904 Days of Service
Almsgiving is a common practice during the season of Lent. This Lenten season give back to Assumption and the local Worcester community by participating in the “1904 Day of Service” initiative.
Click on the link below to view all of the upcoming service trips happening both on campus and off-campus.
Join the campus ministry team and members of the Assumption Community as we serve the Worcester area!
If you have any questions or need help signing up, please contact Una Murphy (uo.murphy@assumption.edu).
- Veteran’s Inc. Thursday April 9 from 10AM-3PM
- Join Dr. Bezdegian and other volunteers at Veterans Inc. to help organize donations, support meal or supply distribution, and assist with clean-up or special projects that support local veterans.
Liturgical Ministry Support
Interested in using your vocal talents at Mass? Or serving as a lector, greeter, communion minister, or altar server?
This is an invitation for our faithful-our students, faculty and staff to consider ministry in the Church; by being a Lector, Altar Server, Communion Minister, and Greeter for Sunday, Weekday Masses and Special Liturgical events on Campus.
SUPPORT LITURGICAL LIFE
Music Ministry
Music Ministry is a vocal ensemble that provides music for the masses on campus. Our other commitments include Lessons and Carols, Baccalaureate, and joining forces with the Chorale and Kuumba Singers for the annual, Black History month Ecumenical Service.
Rehearsals are every Thursday from 7pm-8:30pm in the Lauring Community Room in the Tinsley Campus Ministry Center.
What else is happening in at Assumption?
Theology On Tap
Could Baby Jesus Do Calculus (and other questions in Christology) with Prof. Monroe
Friday, April 24, 4:30-6PM
Pierre’s Pub
Assumption Chorale Spring Concert
Featuring: Gabriel Fauré’s: Requiem
Friday, April 24, 7:00pm Chapel of the Holy Spirit
Aidan Deviney’s Reception of Sacraments at the Easter Vigil
During Holy Week, please pray for Aidan Deviney from the Class of 2027, as he prepares to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening. Here’s how Aidan encountered Christ in a meaningful way and decided to receive his Sacraments:
“I was born and raised Catholic, but it wasn’t until I became an adult that I truly found God for myself. I began noticing Bible verses on social media that made me reflect and kept drawing me back to faith. After asking for and receiving a Bible for Christmas, my life started to change as I began reading it and wanting to live in a more godly way. Through Bible study, attending Mass at Assumption’s chapel, and the support of campus ministry, I developed a deeper relationship with Christ. I realized that while I had always known of Jesus, I now truly know Him and cannot imagine living my life without Him as my Lord and Savior.”
– Aidan Deviney ’27
Summer & Post-Graduate Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for internships or volunteer roles for the summer or after graduation? Explore the opportunities below. Many offer compensation, and all provide meaningful experience to strengthen your résumé. Campus Ministry staff are also available to share insights from their own service backgrounds.
We will be updating this spreadsheet with opportunities as they come up! Review them as you discern your summer and post-graduate plans.
If you know of an opportunity or an organization that is looking for volunteers, interns, or employees generally, please submit a posting here!
Good Shepherd Volunteers (GSV)
Good Shepherd Volunteers (GSV) offers a transformative service experience for young adults passionate about uplifting families and communities. Our work is focused on improving the well-being of marginalized women, youth, and children and is rooted in our 4 core tenets-community, spirituality, social justice, and simplicity.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC)
The Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) is a post-graduate volunteer program that places young adults to live and work in solidarity with marginalized populations across the United States, guided by seventy years of history and four core values: spirituality, simple living, community, and social justice.
