Catholic Varsity Students Welcoming Gathering 2023

Dec 01, 2023

By Edna Pristy Fenning
Since it was established 18 years ago, it has become a tradition for the Catholic Varsity Students’ (CVS) ministry to welcome the new batch of university students from various campuses through the CVS Welcoming Gathering programme.

The CVS Welcoming Gathering 2023 with the theme Mary arose and went with haste (Luke 1:39), was held at the St Faustina Hall at the Church of the Divine Mercy (CDM) on October 22 after Mass.

The programme began with the registration of 200 new and old university students, most of whom are from UiTM Shah Alam, Puncak Alam, and Puncak Perdana campuses.

They were given a warm welcome by Fr Michel Dass, who was accompanied by the Parish Pastoral Minister for CVS, Joseph Asim, and Dr Lovelyna Benedict Jipiu, UiTM Senior Lecturer. This was followed by praise and worship by the CVS EXCO team.

The main objective of this gathering was to introduce the students to CBS which is under the purview of CDM. Thus they may engage spiritual support from this ministry and also from the community. The parish plays an important role to care for the needs of these students especially in giving social support, helping in their growth in faith and checking on the welfare of these young Catholics who are away from their families and facing a new environment. This gathering gave them the opportunity to know one another more.

Carnixon Jiksing, a UiTM Puncak Alam first semester student, felt touched to see the committee members coming together to organise this Welcoming Gathering, it has inspired me to serve God with all my heart in any form of service.”

“Personally, the praise and worship session brought me to tears, because I have been facing a lot of difficulties throughout my studies here,” said Suncaroline Hairry, a UiTM Puncak Perdana second semester student.

CDM provides support for the students from meals to transportation. Fr Michel gave them the final blessing at the closing of the programme.