Georgetown University has partnered with a national organization to provide Catholic college students a new way to enhance understanding of their faith. 

Georgetown University’s Office of Campus Ministry has collaborated with the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association (PNCEA) to create an online college edition of the Catholic Faith Inventory (CFI).  The CFI is a questionnaire that deals with various aspects of Catholic faith and identity as a catalyst for personal reflection on faith.    Georgetown University initiated the idea of a user-friendly resource for college students and has worked with PNCEA to adapt the original paper edition for online use. The original CFI was designed for candidates for entry into the Catholic Church and other Catholic adults in parishes.

“We are excited to be able to provide a new way for our Catholic students to engage in their spirituality and identity,” Director of Campus Ministry Rev. Timothy Godfrey, S.J. said. 

The initial phase of the inventory is a questionnaire that addresses major aspects of Catholic belief and Catholic living, including areas such as scripture, morality, and social justice.  After completing the survey, respondents receive their results and can reflect on their answers at more depth either individually, with a campus minister, or as part of a campus discussion group with others who took the CFI.

According to Sr. Pat Parachini, S.N.J.M., coordinator of the project at Georgetown, “Catholic Campus Ministry considers the dialogue between students and campus ministers as the heart of this project.   As students become more willing to explore their questions and concerns about the Catholic faith, the more we can address their needs and support the deepening of their commitment to a Catholic way of life.”

More than 50 Georgetown students have already taken the online CFI, and Campus Ministry plans to engage more students in the process in the 2007-2008 academic year.  PNCEA has now offered access to the CFI free of charge as a one-year pilot program for campus ministry offices at five other Catholic colleges and universities.  Additionally, PNCEA has invited Newman ministries from five public universities to participate.

PNCEA plans to license the online tool to students nationwide in the near future through university campus ministries.