by Kate White

To those of you who don’t know me: Hi! My name is Kate and I’m the intern at the CFV this semester. In the short month and a half that I’ve been here I’ve had so many positive experiences at the CFV. If you haven’t already, I truly encourage you to take a trip over to the CFV. Take a leap of faith and go to Big Questions, relax with meditation and yoga, or share your spiritual journey with us. If nothing else, you can say that you tried something new and made a few friends. I understand; I was skeptical at first too.

Let me tell you my story and show you how the CFV has impacted my Butler experience.

Last year no one at the CFV knew me. I attended the open house as a freshman and lurked through the Blue House, unsure of the inviting religious aura. It would be another year until I returned to the Blue House to find myself sitting across from the Director, Judy Cebula.
My freshman year was rough to say the least. It was a difficult transition leaving home, making new friends, and growing into my new identity. One question kept eating away at me, “What’s my purpose?” I know, I know. As an 18-year-old, most are concerned with who am I dating, what parties am I going to next and will I have time to go home to have mom do my laundry. Somehow I felt like I needed to have my life figured out.
I spoke with my friends, family, mentors and elders from my church. One night I was challenged with another big question “How will your life serve God?” Being the planner that I am, I jumped on the computer and investigated internships for religious organizations. What luck would have it, the Center for Faith and Vocation offers a number of religiously affiliated internships, another bonus –they’re paid.
That Fall I returned to the Blue House to have my first meeting with Judy. I nervously over prepared for what I perceived to be a pseudo-interview. I sat down and slowly the business formalities fell away. I gradually divulged my life journey to a complete stranger. The tangible calmness of the Blue House and Judy’s kind understanding allowed me to feel at home—something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
After that things started to fall into place. This semester I started my internship and the Center for Faith and Vocation. Every day I go to the Blue House and I feel a sense of calm contemplation and many of my worries fall away. As students, we have so many daily pressures and stresses. At the Blue House I’m reminded that there’s a much higher purpose than what we do every day. We each have to discover our vocations. The Blue House is here to help and cultivate that personal awareness. My time at the CFV has provided me with a richer, more comprehensive college experience that extends beyond my academic needs. I hope that you would also give it a chance and see what the CFV can offer you.